Off The Streets, Lancaster

The simplicity of the Off The Streets (OTS) mission has been critical to its growth: help people who are homeless, or about to become homeless, move into a place they can call their own by accomplishing two basic tasks—pay the security deposit and furnish the apartment.

That's it. OTS has no paid staff; the work is done by volunteers, with no office or related overhead expenses. The organization accepts no government funding. Donations come from individuals, places of worship, businesses, and other organizations.

Almost every dollar contributed goes directly toward paying a security deposit to a landlord for a qualified person or family who can afford the monthly rent but cannot afford the deposit required to move in. Beds, furniture, linens, and other household necessities are donated.

The Lancaster chapter holds an open volunteer meeting on the first Thursday of every month at St. John Neumann Parish for anyone interested in learning more or volunteering. At its August 2025 meeting, more than 50 volunteers gathered to mark a change in leadership. Don Cronauer stepped down after 12 years as co-president, and Jim Dornes became president of the Lancaster chapter. Their wives, Karen Cronauer and Glenda Dornes, have also been active chapter volunteers.

Dornes is a retired global sales leader in the software industry who now helps coordinate an organization with approximately 90 volunteers.

Three ingredients are particularly important to the success of an OTS chapter: community awareness, adequate storage space for donated furnishings, and strong relationships with local social-service organizations. The Lancaster chapter works with approximately 30 organizations, including social workers, schools, and hospitals. These partners identify people who need help and understand what OTS can provide.

The concept is remarkably simple. Someone may have the income to pay rent but still lack the money for a security deposit—or have an empty apartment but nothing to sleep on or sit on. By filling those relatively small gaps, Off The Streets can help turn an available apartment into a home and give an individual or family a new start.

‘Off The Streets’ Earns International Recognition: https://www.catholicwitness.org/off-the-streets-earns-international-recognition/