Tri-County OIC is a proud affiliate of a greater nationwide network of OICs, operating under the umbrella of OICA (Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America). As part of this alliance, which includes 40 affiliates across more than 20 states and the District of Columbia, we are committed to achieving meaningful, lasting change in the communities we serve. Through workforce development, education, and career training, OIC affiliates collectively empower individuals, strengthen local economies, and break cycles of poverty, ensuring brighter futures for those in need.

OICA and OIC International form a network of employment and training programs across the United States and abroad, united by a common mission: to serve economically disadvantaged individuals and those who are unemployed or underemployed. This movement began with Reverend Leon Howard Sullivan (1922–2001), who founded the first OIC in an abandoned jailhouse in Philadelphia in 1964.

Recognizing the frustrations of the underserved in Harrisburg, Reverend Franklin L. Henley, pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church, learned about the grassroots manpower-training program that had recently launched in Philadelphia. In November 1965, he gathered Black ministers from Dauphin County to introduce OIC’s philosophy and secure their commitment to bringing an OIC to Harrisburg. Later that year, OIC of Dauphin County was established. A fundraising effort quickly followed, and within two months, the first classes began. The initiative gained widespread support from both private and public sectors, and as a result, Harrisburg OIC became the second OIC in Pennsylvania and the third in the nation.

From its inception, OIC has provided hope, opportunity, and employment potential through academic remediation and vocational training, reaching individuals previously labeled as "untrainable" or "unemployable." Over the years, Tri-County OIC has expanded significantly, conducting classes in more than 75 locations across multiple counties, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, and York.

Today, Tri-County offers a comprehensive range of services, including career services, reentry services, basic literacy education, English language training, workforce development, computer training, financial literacy, vocational skills training, youth services, counseling, job placement, and access to community resources. Through these programs, we empower and support over 500 students each year, equipping them with the skills, opportunities, and essential support systems needed to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term success. By connecting individuals with vital community resources, such as housing assistance, healthcare, childcare, and transportation support, we help remove barriers that often hinder economic stability and personal growth.

Expansion into Reentry Services

In 2016, Tri-County OIC launched its Reentry Services Department in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and OICA. This initiative provides comprehensive services to individuals over the age of 18 who have had contact with the criminal justice system, supporting them on their path to successful reintegration. Our program offers case management, adult education, apprenticeships, community college enrollment, and vocational training opportunities in high-growth industries such as information technology, healthcare, and energy.

Tri-County OIC also supports incarcerated individuals in state and local facilities, as well as those recently released and residing in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties. Our reentry program is designed to address the significant challenges and barriers individuals face when returning to their communities after incarceration. We provide hope and structured support through comprehensive assessments aimed at reducing recidivism, career coaching to help secure stable employment and housing, as well as adult education, ESL instruction, vocational training, career readiness programs, and other supportive services.

2024 Expansion: Supporting Justice-Involved Youth

In 2024, Tri-County OIC expanded its services to include justice-involved youth aged 15-21. Through our affiliation with agencies participating in the Pennsylvania Academic, Career, and Technical Training (PACTT) project, we now provide career competency development and vocational training tailored to meet the unique needs of young individuals navigating the justice system. This initiative ensures that justice-involved youth receive the education, training, and support necessary to build a stable future, gain meaningful employment, and break cycles of recidivism.

By empowering both returning citizens and justice-involved youth with opportunities for education, employment, and mentorship, we help them regain a sense of purpose while fostering a more prosperous and peaceful community. Reentry programs like ours recognize the unique potential of each individual, ensuring a society built on dignity, opportunity, and mutual benefit.

Tri-County OIC's reentry programs have achieved a remarkable success rate, maintaining a recidivism rate of less than 3%, demonstrating the effectiveness of our comprehensive support services in helping individuals successfully reintegrate into society.

Core Beliefs of OIC

For over five decades, Tri-County OIC has remained steadfast in its mission to uplift individuals through education, training, and workforce development, ensuring that all people, regardless of their background, have access to opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency and a brighter future.