Genesis House of Olean

06/14/2026

06/12/2026

Hi my name is Jane (not my real name).
My family and I were homeless for three months before arriving at Genesis House. We were all at our lowest in life and extremely depressed. The kids grades were starting to drop. Every place we went to for help made us feel like we were just another number and made us feel like we weren’t even human. We were starting to lose hope.

When we arrived at Genesis House we were all welcomed with open arms. They didn’t make us feel bad about anything. We felt like there was hope and light at the end of the tunnel. You could feel the compassion in them like they really care.

They helped us feel confident about everything. They helped us with more than just a safe living space. They helped us get our mental health back on track, getting proper medical care, food, clothing, and housing. They really help with anything you need. They are all blessings and amazing selfless people.

They have helped us get into an amazing, beautiful home. One that is affordable and a good fit for our family. They don’t just pick a place, they do their research first to make sure it’s a good fit instead of sticking you someplace even if it’s out of your budget or unsafe. But the staff cares so much and if they wouldn’t live there neither would you.

They also help you set goals while there. These goals could be as simple as learning how to make appointments to as hard as going back to school. They do everything in their power to help you achieve them. Even if they are unsure about something they will not stop doing their research till they find an answer. They do their very best to give you the support and guidance you need to achieve your goals with confidence.

They work hard to reach out to the community for help and to enlighten everyone on how much a little help can go.

If they could get more help with funding just imagine how many more families they could help. I personally know a couple of other families that were forced to leave the community they love due to the lack of help received. If the Genesis House can help the community out in a way that makes it possible for the community to grow then why can’t everyone else help like them. Without their kindness and help we would have had to leave. So thank you for your support. I probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them.

My family and I would like to thank all the donors, staff and volunteers who have made this possible. We were lost at first but now we are so blessed to be back where we need to be. Thank you for all your time, patience, hard work and so much kindness. We are so grateful for everything. We can’t begin to thank you enough for helping us better our family’s lives. So from the bottom of our hearts we thank you and will hold you in our hearts for the rest of our lives. We will never forget you guys and all the hard work you guys have done. You have touched our lives for the better. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

The Pipers Family Mom, Dad, and 3 kids

06/10/2026

It seems like everyone is doing their spring cleaning!

Because we have limited storage space, please call and speak to a staff member before dropping off donations. If you are dropping off donations, please make sure you ring the doorbell. Please do not simply leave donations on the porch.

Here's a quick guide to what we need most:
gently used adult sweatpants and sweatshirts
gently used adult winter boots and parkas
gently used towels or bed sized quilts or comforters
new underwear, sports bras, socks
menstruation products
cleaning supplies

Here are some items we CAN'T use:
Open or expired food items
Any items from a home with a pest infestation
Anything 'fancy'
Used pillows or stuffed animals
Curtains

If you can help, please call us, we are open during normal business hours at 107 South Barry Street.

The Mission of the Genesis House is to provide secure temporary housing and supportive services as homeless adults and families transition to more stable housing.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission.

06/10/2026

As we gathered this evening for the Genesis House Board's Annual and Regular Meeting, we were delighted when our Executive Director shared the news that one of our most dedicated staff members, Jonah, was recently featured in the FeedMore WNY Foundation newsletter.

This accomplishment is truly remarkable, and the recognition is well deserved. Jonah's dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving our community embody the mission and values of Genesis House each and every day.

Congratulations, Jonah, on this well-earned honor! We are grateful for all that you do and proud to have you as part of the Genesis House family.

Congratulations to Jonah on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉

06/08/2026

Thank you for the ongoing support!

The Mission of the Genesis House is to provide secure temporary housing and supportive services as homeless adults and families transition to more stable housing.

06/05/2026

Thank you to the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties, and the Olean Times Herald for helping us spread the word of all the amazing things happening at the Genesis House

06/04/2026

Now until Sold Out, an incredible team of volunteers will be out across Olean, Allegany, Portville, and Salamanca for the annual Community Day newspaper sale. Special $1 editions of the Olean Times Herald will be available at key intersections, including Main Street and North First in Allegany near High Point Credit Union and the 7-Eleven.

Motorist, please watch out for all volunteers at all intersections, being in the road selling paper. You may have to slow down and wait behind someone who is purchasing a paper.
Practice safe driving and patience.

We encourage everyone to stop by, say hello to the volunteer team, and pick up a paper while supplies last.

06/03/2026

On Thursday, June 4, beginning at 6:30 a.m., an incredible team of volunteers will be out across Olean, Allegany, Portville, and Salamanca for the annual Community Day newspaper sale. Special $1 editions of the Olean Times Herald will be available at key intersections, including Main Street and North First in Allegany near High Point Credit Union and the 7-Eleven.

Here is the Article for 2025!
Genesis House provides stability, dignity in difficult times

“When you have stability, it gives you the ability to recover.”

That’s how one former resident of Genesis House described his experience staying at the shelter, nearly one year after he found permanent housing. While he was at Genesis House, he found permanent housing. He also found a job and a support system he returns to when he needs advice or a friendly face.

Genesis House of Olean operates two homeless shelters. The main shelter at 107 S. Barry St. serves adult men and women. Homeless families are housed a few blocks away in individual apartments, each independently as a family.

This allows each family to live with dignity as they navigate a difficult time.

All of the people who stay at Genesis House set individual goals and are seeking permanent housing.

Genesis House staff helps residents set goals.

Residents check in with case managers daily to track their progress. There are also weekly individual and group meetings during which they discuss life skills topics like budgeting, being a good tenant, handling stress and how to communicate with landlords.

Residents in the adult shelter are assigned chores as part of living in the community. Each person or family is responsible for keeping their own space clean, doing laundry, and cooking their own meals just as they will be when they move out. Often, the adults in shelter form friendships and cook together in small groups.

Genesis House also served as the county’s Code Blue Warming Center again this winter. “There are 17 beds in the adult shelter, but including code blue we can serve as many as 23 people in a single night,” said Melissa Yaworsky, executive director of Genesis House. “Having the Code Blue Warming Center has expanded the number of people we serve. The whole staff is doing more outreach to people who are unsheltered.”

The family shelter can house three families at a time, but there is still a lot of unmet need. Genesis House is looking for ways to grow the program to better meet the needs of the people in our community.

In 2024, Genesis House provided shelter for 141 regular single adult residents and 11 families, including their 15 children. They provided 6756 nights of shelter, the most in any single year since they opened in 1995.

During the 2024-2025 code blue season, there were an additional 1125 nights of shelter provided. Genesis House is a United Way agency. More information can be found at genesishouseofolean.org.

06/02/2026

On Thursday, June 4, beginning at 6:30 a.m., an incredible team of volunteers will be out across Olean, Allegany, Portville, and Salamanca for the annual Community Day newspaper sale. Special $1 editions of the Olean Times Herald will be available at key intersections, including Main Street and North First in Allegany near High Point Credit Union and the 7-Eleven.

These dedicated volunteers are the heart of this event, giving their time early in the morning to support programs funded through United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties and the many partner agencies serving children, seniors, families, and individuals across our region.

Motorist, please watch out for all volunteers at all intersections, being in the road selling paper. You may have to slow down and wait behind someone who is purchasing a paper.
Practice safe driving and patience.

We are deeply grateful for their commitment and the continued community support that makes this tradition possible.

We encourage everyone to stop by, say hello to the volunteer team, and pick up a paper while supplies last.