history

The Other Place (TOP) was founded in 1988 to provide homeless people with an “other place” to go after the night shelter in town closed each morning. Twenty people came the first day. The basement of Christ Episcopal Church was TOP's first home, and limited services were provided by volunteers. Within a year, TOP began transforming from a drop-in shelter to a service center, adding substance abuse counseling, children’s programs, literacy training and limited case management.

By 1990, TOP received its first public funding from the City of Dayton, allowing it to be open seven days per week. That year also saw the inauguration of the concept of “membership,” which required that those who wished to stay in the shelter participate in programs.

In 1992, the Samaritan Clinic for the homeless began operating at The Other Place, and the two agencies moved together to 660 North Main Street. 

In 1996, TOP and the Samaritan Clinic moved into a new 14,000-square-foot facility purchased by TOP through loans with KeyBank and Citywide Development. The momentum for providing programs had built to include funding from many private and public sources, both local and national. 

In July of 2000, Operation Charlie -- a street outreach program that also included major philosophical changes regarding the way in which services were provided to the homeless -- was implemented. This project changed the complexion of the shelter, and an explosion of people accessing services resulted. The manner in which services were provided to clients at times differed greatly from other providers, resulting in The Other Place being considered the advocate for the homeless and the issues surrounding their circumstances.  The finances, programs, staff and board of TOP had evolved into strong elements of a successful operation. TOP created and introduced a Homeless Awareness Curriculum to area schools, teachers and students.

By early 2001, the board and staff adopted a new vision and mission statement. Technology was now a vital part of TOP operations, including a comprehensive Member Database to track all client data and report outcomes.  A new website, www.theotherplace.org, was successfully launched as another method of communicating the vision and mission of The Other Place. Also in 2001, TOP developed a working relationship with the University of Dayton Law Clinic to provide legal services to clients and to collaborate on “big picture” issues surrounding homeless civil rights.

In 2002, The Other Place served record numbers of people experiencing homelessness.  With dramatically increased numbers but stagnant funding, TOP began to look at alternative sources of funding and staffing. Two AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers began a year of service working on special projects including the creation of an affordable housing database and the development of a volunteer program. TOP and Miami Valley Housing Opportunities (MVHO) collaborated to allow TOP to provide supportive case management at the Iowa Avenue project, a 34-unit single-room-occupancy (SRO) facility on the VA grounds for formerly homeless men.

In 2003, TOP began and completed an extensive renovation project designed to better meet existing capacity at our daytime shelter. The project included enlarging the shelter space; increased locker, laundry, restroom and meal areas; and a separate and secure family area.

In 2004, Montgomery County and the City of Dayton committed to developing a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and Reduce Overall Homelessness.  A Homeless Solutions Leadership Team was appointed and co-chaired by the County Administrator and City Manager.  TOP worked internally on the same effort with staff and clients.  TOP strategically enhanced its shelter case management services to address the many and diverse needs of its shelter client base.  Emergency, Stabilization, Transitional and Chronic homeless phases and services were implemented. TOP implemented regional initiatives toward meeting its vision and mission.  Through networking and grass-roots community organizing, TOP began working with surrounding counties to provide technical assistance in capacity building, Continuum of Care organization, and program development.  By the end of 2004, TOP was actively working with Clark, Champaign, Logan and Shelby counties.

In 2005, The Other Place was awarded two HUD Permanent Supportive Housing grants to provide housing for 16 severely mentally ill homeless adults in Champaign and Logan Counties.  Throughout the year, TOP staff members participated on various Homeless Solutions Leadership Team workgroups. By the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006, TOP's board and staff had completed an extensive evaluation of all programs and services that would lead to a new strategic plan.

In 2006, TOP Mental Health Services received Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) certification as well as accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). TOP's new strategic plan proposed within a five-year period to redirect more of the focus and resources of TOP toward providing housing and supportive services.  No longer was it acceptable to service the condition of homelessness; we must direct our resources, programs and services toward ending it.  A new mission statement, "to work to end homelessness by providing housing, services, advocacy and education," was adopted by the board and staff in 2006.

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