Opportunities for Otsego

For over 35 years, Opportunities for Otsego has offered shelter and support to homeless and at-risk families across Otsego County.

On this day of giving we ask that you consider supporting our critical work in stabilizing families in crisis and help with the transition to safe, stable, affordable housing. Your generosity will:

• Assist families to find permanent housing

• Offer homeless adults and children a clean, safe bed to sleep in 

• Ensure children have consistent access to quality childcare and school

• Coordinate medical care and mental health treatment

• Provide basic needs such as food, personal hygiene supplies

Support and resources for the homeless back in 1988 was a fraction of what Opportunities for Otsego offers today.  As community needs emerged, the agency responded by expanding available resources. Opportunities for Otsego’s first shelter opened in 1991; providing a confidential place for victims of domestic violence to find safety, support, and start their path to recovery. This nine-bed safehouse still operates today. 

Building upon the success and lessons of the domestic violence safe house, Opportunities for Otsego answered the call from community leaders to address homelessness in Otsego County. In partnership with the City of Oneonta, County and State leadership, “Opportunity House” was erected.  The 18-bed emergency shelter opened its doors 20 years ago and remains a lifeline for those facing housing instability.

Over our tenure, Opportunities for Otsego has stood beside homeless and at-risk families as their struggles became more complicated and compounded by community conditions beyond their control.  There have been many discussions, and even outcry, surrounding homelessness in our community. However, those discussions do not reflect the mounting barriers and needs of homeless families and children that our staff witness daily. 

In the summer of 2023, at the direction of New York State, Opportunity House transitioned to a family-only shelter. Since, we have housed an average of 7 children and 5 adults daily.  Many families arrive at our doorstep after a series of misfortunes - job loss, illness, family separation, loss of housing due to summer tourism - that led to an eviction. As an adult, such upheaval is devastating. For a child, homelessness is traumatizing, leaving a scar that can shape a lifetime.

To expedite the transition to stable housing, Opportunities for Otsego provides vital resources and intensive case management. However, coinciding with the change to a family-only model, the collective needs of those staying at our shelter have risen exponentially; testing our shelter staff to devise creative solutions without straining our financial resources further. 

We hope you will join us and help make a difference this giving day and every day throughout the year.

OFO's mission is to be the leader in developing innovative solutions that promote healthy lives, thriving families, and caring communities. We envision a future in which the community strives to alleviate poverty through collaborations that foster economic stability and social justice.