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2023 Annual Report: Here’s the impact we made…TOGETHER | April 18th, 2024

Take a look back with us at what God did at Open Door Ministries in 2023! Both the stories and the numbers show how God has been faithful to our ministry by changing and sustaining lives. Click the button below to take a look at our year in review.

WE ARE HIRING! Exciting Opportunities Await at Open Door Ministries | April 2nd, 2024

We are seeking passionate individuals to fill various open positions! At Open Door, not only do we make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, but we also create a nurturing and fulfilling environment for our staff. If you—or someone you know—are interested in working in ministry and want to be part of a fun, dynamic, Christ-centered team, please keep reading to learn about our current openings.

Our Current Openings:

Te Veo House Care Coordinator
Part-Time | 20 hours per week

Still Waters Housing Counselor
Part-Time | 29 hours per week

Early Childhood Lead Teacher
Full-Time or Part-Time | 20 - 40 hours per week

Accounting Office Assistant
Full-Time | 40 hours per week

Click on the button below or visit odmdenver.org/staff-openings to learn more and apply today!

Still Waters Housing: Championing Women’s Stories Since 1997| March 21st, 2024

March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to honoring influential women and their inspiring stories. In celebration of this, we want to spotlight our women-centered ministry, Still Waters Housing. Still Waters Housing is a program comprised of four homes that provide safe transitional housing for women and moms with young children fleeing crisis.

Nearly 30 years ago, God’s call for Open Door to repurpose these homes is incredible given that they were previously used for the sexual exploitation of women. Prior to acquiring these properties on Marion St., they were operated as brothels from the 1970s into the mid 80s. Today, they are used to lift women out of exploitation and abuse. We like to call this our “Miracle on Marion Street!”

Treasure House, Chayah House, and Esther House operate under a two-year transitional program that helps women step out of destructive lifestyles by offering a sober-living environment where they can become responsible, contributing members of society.

Te Veo House offers women immediate, short-term housing (1 day to 6 months), empowering them to get back on their feet.

Whether women are grappling with homelessness, battling addictions, or seeking refuge from violence and exploitation, Still Waters extends a lifeline to many women in need. Through community and mentorship, Still Waters is designed to help women recover from their circumstances and build a new life through a firm foundation in Christ. We're proud of the 621 women (and counting) who have walked through our doors and emerged with renewed hope and confidence!

Celebrating Kari Jo

Nearly two years ago, Kari Jo set her intention to change, become sober and choose life! She came from Texas on a Greyhound to embark upon Chayah House’s 2-year transitional program. From the moment she arrived, Kari Jo was determined to do things God’s way instead of in her own strength.

“Open Door has been a real blessing. It’s been a godsend to me. It has brought me and surrounded me with people who truly love me. They care about my well being and they’re here to support me in my recovery from addiction. I have found a lot of freedom and peace since I’ve been here, and I’ve grown on a personal level and on a spiritual level for sure. Thank you Open Door.”

We’re so proud of Kari Jo for graduating from Chayah House last month, and we’re happy to share that she just moved into Antioch House, our Level 2 sober-living home for Still Waters graduates! We are blessed to have Kari Jo a part of our community, and we cannot wait to see the plans God has as she continues life on The Block. God is doing amazing work in Kari Jo, and we celebrate her with joy!

Run for the Door Registration is Open! | March 11th, 2024

Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Clement Park
7306 W Bowles Ave., Littleton, CO 80123

It’s time to lace up your running shoes because we are officially kicking off our 2024 summer events with Run for the Door! This year marks our 15th year, and we are blessed by the continued support for our mission through this event and the impact we have made together over the years.

This year, we’re returning to Clement Park in Littleton where runners, walkers and strollers can enjoy racing around the gorgeous lake. Bring the entire family; kids will love the park’s playground! All proceeds from the 5K will go directly to Open Door Ministries as we continue to address poverty, build communities, and cultivate followers of Christ in Denver.

Whether you’re a competitive runner, or you just want to support the event and join in on the camaraderie, we hope to see you there!

Pricing

$35 - Adult, Youth, and Wheelchair
$40 - Virtual (Swag will be mailed)
$100 - Families with Children

You can register today by visiting www.runforthedoor.org

Introducing…Open Door’s New Vision & Mission | March 7th, 2024

This year is an exciting time for our organization’s future as a result of nearly a year-long strategic reflection by our leaders, staff and board. Today, we are proud to introduce our new vision statement and revised mission statement, which will guide our organizational culture, communications, fund development, and continued work in Denver.

Our New Vision: We envision a restored Denver overflowing with vitality and hope in Christ.

Our Revised Mission: Our mission is to address poverty, build communities and cultivate followers of Christ in Denver.

Want to learn more? Check out our goals, core values, history and more at odmdenver.org/our-mission.  You’ll find that Jesus Christ is our foundation and will always be the center of the practical help and hope we give to help individuals and families thrive!

Save the Dates for Upcoming ODM Events! | February 28th, 2024

We have some exciting things planned for 2024! Mark your calendars today so you can join us for ODM’s 2024 events!

Our first event of the year is our 15th Annual Run for the Door 5k! Please join us on June 1st at Clement Park. Stay tuned for registration details coming soon!

Later this year, we will host our annual Golf Tournament on August 5th and Gala on November 3rd. Please make note of these dates. More information will be available soon.

Questions about attending or sponsoring an event this year? Contact Annie at events@odmdenver.org.

How Do We Approach Denver’s Migrant Crisis? | February 20th, 2024

For those of you who live in Denver, you may have noticed that a great influx of people have migrated to the region. In the past year, Denver has received upwards of 40,000 new migrants with this number steadily rising each day. These individuals and families have made their way north from the southern U.S. border in Texas, mainly hailing from Venezuela, Colombia, and Guatemala.

With an estimated 225 migrants arriving in Denver daily, the city is nearing its capacity. As a result, there are thousands of people and families in Denver with no place to live or sleep, which is an increasingly alarming issue as Colorado continues to experience below freezing temperatures. Mayor Johnston confirms the urgency of this situation by sharing, “We have filled every single hotel room that we have available in the city and county of Denver. Now we have the terrible decision that if we don’t start exiting folks, we will have 250 folks that will arrive today or the day after who don’t have anywhere to go at night.” In addition to hotels filling up, schools are reaching mass capacity as well with a reported 3,000 new students having entered the system since July.

Termed by some as the “migrant crisis,” this influx has become somewhat of a hot topic in the press as of late. While it's easy to become entangled in the political discourse surrounding this issue, let us pause for a moment and reflect on it through the lens of Christ. In doing so, verses from Deuteronomy 10 and Matthew 22 may come to mind. As followers of Christ, we are called to be hospitable towards foreigners, providing them with food and clothing (Deut. 10:17-19), and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and our own (Matt. 22:38-39). This is an opportunity for us to not only show compassion and extend aid to those in dire need, but to exemplify Christian values to individuals who may have had limited exposure to Christianity up to this point.

Here at Open Door, we are doing what we can to support migrants in need. We are currently housing a Venezuelan family in our Nehemiah House and we help run a monthly food bank at our partner church, Westside Church Internacional, where we provide food and goods to foreigners and others in need.

How can you get involved?

If you are inclined to serve during this crisis, we’ve gathered a few ways you can get involved:

• Denver Friends Church, located in Northwest Denver, has opened their doors to migrants and is in need of volunteers for overnight shifts from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM. If you cannot stay overnight, but still would like to volunteer, shorter shifts are available. You can sign up and learn more here.

• The City & County of Denver is in need of bilingual (English and Spanish speaking) volunteers to participate in Denver’s work authorization screenings and clinics starting on Wednesday February 21. Volunteers will serve as translators of documents, interpreters of conversations, and help with intake. You can sign up and learn more here.

• In addition to these immediate needs, you can support other migrant volunteer and donation needs by visiting www.justserve.org/denver.

Join us as we work to address poverty, build communities and cultivate followers of Christ in Denver!

Learning Center: Openings and Opportunities| February 15th, 2024

Open Door Ministries’ Learning Center (LC), featuring preschool and elementary programs, has several openings for new students!

Located at 1567 Marion St., our Learning Center offers comprehensive childcare services for children ages 3-12. To preschool kids (3-5 years old), we are an all-day childcare center. For school-age kids (kindergarten and up), we offer engaging and enriching before-and-after-school care and full-day programming during summer months.

We believe children learn by exploring their environment, but learning through “play” is equally as important. And who doesn’t like to have fun? Our hands-on, “edutaining” curriculum develops our children academically, socially and emotionally and helps them grow to their fullest potential. Plus, as a faith-based center, we integrate biblical stories and Christian principles into our lessons because God’s Word is the foundation of our teaching and learning.

While we welcome all children at the LC, we hold a special place in our hearts and space in our center for those facing financial challenges or difficult circumstances. To assist families, we accept various financial aid programs including the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the Denver Preschool Program (DPP), in addition to internal scholarships.

We deeply appreciate the trust that local families place in us and cherish the opportunity to support the entire family unit impacting multiple generations.

You can refer, enroll, or ask questions by calling 303-813-0878 or by clicking below.

Friend or Professional: Who Should Carry Out My Legacy? | February 6th, 2024

Your personal representative (otherwise known as an “executor” of your will or “trustee” of your trust) is the person who will carry out your final wishes for handling your estate and the distribution of your resources. Should you consider someone you know or turn to a professional? Both options have their advantages.

You might choose a friend or family member because you know them well. You trust their judgment, capabilities and commitment, based on your shared history and personal values. If needed, they could always hire an attorney, CPA and/or other professional advisors to help them through the process.

On the other hand, there might be family dynamics that would make this role more difficult for someone you know. Additionally, the time commitment and obligations of this important role could become overwhelming.

Many people turn to a professional, such as a bank trust department or a professional fiduciary. Professionals are not swayed by any complicated relationships, they have a thorough understanding of their fiduciary responsibilities, and you’ll know exactly what their costs are going to be. Furthermore, they likely have adequate staffing and appropriate systems already in place.

One potential downside: professionals probably don’t have contextual knowledge about your values or past behaviors. This might become important if decisions need to be made about discretionary payments to beneficiaries or if there are other gray areas in your plan.

Regardless of whom you choose, it’s important to communicate this important decision – both to your family and to the representative you’ve chosen. Taking time now to clarify your desires will ultimately save time, hassle and heartache for all the loved ones affected by your plan.

Open Door’s 2023 Year-End Update | January 16th, 2024

What a finish to 2023 for Open Door Ministries!  First, let me say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who prayed, spread the word, and gave toward our 2023 year-end campaign.  We came only $12,000 short of our $1,156,000 goal!  This need was our largest ever, but we saw God do amazing things.  In the last week of December alone, God brought in around $650,000.  PLUS, because our expenses were lower than expected this year, we ended AHEAD of where we had hoped.  We praise God for this and thank everyone who participated!

Our ambitious goal, aside from finishing 2023 strong, set Open Door up well for this year’s budget of $3,871,083.  The budget for 2024 has increased by $206,000 almost exclusively due to a very important strategic goal…to fully fund all staff by 2026!

As some of you may know, we have kept a personal support raising model to fund salaries since Open Door began, and we have drastically improved it over time to value our staff’s work. In 2024, we have budgeted to move every staff member’s guaranteed salary from 70% to 80%.  We plan to increase 10% each year until we reach 100% in 2026! We will still encourage staff to raise personal support or network to extend our giving community, but salaries by 2026 will no longer depend on how much staff can raise.  This will further our mission to address poverty by hiring and retaining program participants, graduates and other individuals who have been faced with life’s biggest adversities. They are now on the road to thrive because God’s grace and your partnership will afford them life-changing opportunities and activate their God-given purpose.

 Again, THANK YOU for your generosity.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

In Christ,

David Warren

Executive Director

Just $65,000 to Go! | December 31st, 2023

God has blessed us at Open Door Ministries to raise over one million dollars during the year’s end to restore lives in Denver. Only $65,000 left to raise to reach our year-end goal! There’s still a chance to make a difference in 2023. Simply click here to donate a year-end gift now, and let’s finish 2023 strong!

Serving Our City this Christmas | December 14th, 2023

On December 2nd, we opened our doors to over 100 individuals and families to spread some hope and cheer this holiday season at our Family Room Christmas Giveaway. Each visitor was paired with a personal shopper and ushered through a room full of winter gear, clothing, toiletries, backpacks and more. Before leaving, everyone had a chance to pray with one of our pastors and eat a warm meal. We not only served those experiencing homelessness, but also low-income and refugee families. While giving handouts isn’t a long-term solution to poverty, we see this event as an important touch point with our neighborhood to further God’s work here at ODM. We thank everyone who generously gave their time and donations to spread Christmas cheer for all to hear this season!

Mayor Johnson’s House1000 Initiative

A few months ago, Open Door Ministries answered Mayor Mike Johnston’s call for faith-based organizations to partner with the City and County of Denver and help meet the goal of housing 1,000 Denverites experiencing unsheltered homelessness by the end of this year. We’d like to invite you to participate in this city-wide movement, House1000 Initiative, to help those unhoused find a home for Christmas. The City and County of Denver is looking for volunteers to serve at a hotel or micro community to welcome new residents. They are looking for energetic, caring individuals who are comfortable having conversations with strangers and are able to lift at least 30 lbs. Volunteers must also sign a waiver and watch online orientation videos before volunteering. There are volunteers shifts available from December 19th - 31st. This opportunity is not organized by Open Door Ministries, but we want to spread the word to those who have a desire to serve those experiencing homelessness in Denver! Click here to learn more.

Life Skills & Life Change in the ODM Youth Center | October 17th, 2023

As a part of our mission to develop leaders, the Open Door Youth Center spent the summer empowering our middle school and high school students to grow spiritually and to lead their peers to become more like Christ.

Nine students and three staff made their way to Lincoln, Nebraska, for the Christ in Youth Conference (CIY). Many of our students don’t have much experience in Christian settings and this conference made a huge spiritual impact in their lives.

For the first time our students got to be a part of corporate worship with massive arena full of young people praising God. The students heard several awesome speakers, spent time doing devotionals that connected with the theme, and we finished every night debriefing what we had learned and experienced. One of our students, Rumir, decided to get baptized because of his time at the conference. It was amazing watching the Lord in his life!

Throughout the summer months we also had two students participate in our Next Step Internship program. These students received paid job placements within Open Door Ministries and had certain extra requirements as they developed leadership skills, like attending the CIY Conference and Wednesday night gatherings. These students became more integrated into the ODM community and we hope they can calcify the job skills they learned to thrive in future employment.

Both of our Next Step Interns, Stephan and Kendre, stepped up beyond expectation. We loved watching Stephan engage with Family Room visitors, building relationships with his stubborn and humorous personality. Kendre did hands-on labor with our maintenance team. He stepped up to the plate and took things seriously. His work ethic amazed us!

We can’t wait to see how God is going to work in the lives of our students as they grow into leaders in our community.

Nehemiah Leadership Initiative Has Begun! | October 9th, 2023

In September, we welcomed our first cohort of Nehemiah Leadership Initiative (NLI) fellows who have committed the next eight months to learn about biblical justice issues, serve within our programs, and further discover their Kingdom calling as followers of Christ. We’d like to introduce you to our first cohort and what they’re doing so far in their NLI experience.

We appreciate your prayers over our NLI fellows as they dig deep into urban ministry with Open Door for the next several months!

We Plant, God Harvests | September 12th, 2023

And just like that, Summer 2023 has come to a close at Open Door. Urban Immersion hosted groups from all over Denver and the United States. Participants got to not only learn about poverty, but see firsthand and engage with those experiencing homelessness by offering a listening ear and the hope of Jesus. 

As a group was walking along Colfax, they came across Shane (pictured above), who was holding a cardboard sign asking for help. He shared a bit of his story with them. His wife had passed away earlier that year, and it sent him in a downward spiral which led to the streets. The group was able to listen to him, meet him with empathy and prayer, and encourage him in the midst of his sorrow. A couple weeks later, Shane visited Open Door in order to pass on his gratitude for the group stopping to talk to him. He mentioned that he had gotten into a recovery program in order to get his life back on track. 

While this story is definitely one of the highlights of interactions from the summer, we always tell groups that we don't always see the fruit of conversations. However, we trust that God is continually working within each person's heart. In 1 Corinthians, Paul mentions that some of us are called to plant seeds, others are to water, but ultimately God brings about the growth. Praise Jesus that growth was produced in Shane due to this group planting and watering!

Urban Immersion offers a beautiful chance to step beyond ourselves and take part in the mission that Jesus has called each one of us to as believers: to love the least of these and to share the gospel, because we never know what one conversation can do to change someone's life. 

If you’d like to sign your group up to experience God’s work in urban Denver, now’s the time! We do trips and one-day experiences all year round. Reach out to Jenn for more information at 303-217-8637 or volunteers@odmdenver.org.

What’s Got You Stuck? | August 17th, 2023

Are you wondering how your giving can make the most impact for years to come?

Gifts that pay income — such as charitable gift annuities — are a smart and powerful giving option for supporters who would love to give more but are concerned about having enough income for life.

Through a charitable gift annuity, you can support Open Door Ministries ANDreceive steady income payments for life.

Now, thanks to an increase in annuity rates, any new charitable gift annuities that you establish will result in even higher payments!

Here is a sample of some of the new rates, as of January 1, 2023.

What’s more, brand new legislation may allow you to give from your IRA to fund these smart gifts!

You can establish a charitable gift annuity by giving from your IRA (up to $50,000) or with cash, stock or other appreciated assets. In exchange, you’ll receive fixed payments for life.

How much would your payments be? I would love to show you through a personalized proposal based on the increased rates.

To request a personalized proposal for you or a loved one, please contact me at 720-975-0120 or sheronda@odmdenver.org.

Say No to Double Bogeys, but YES to Doubling our Impact! | August 3rd, 2023

We have a challenge gift of $10,000 for our 20th Annual Open Door Golf Tournament. Help us raise another $10,000 to double our impact in urban Denver! The golf tournament happens Monday. Give now and every dollar of your gift, up to $10,000, and your impact will be DOUBLED! Click here to give.

Our Diverse Ministry Family | July 25th, 2023

Open Door Ministries operates in the heart of downtown Denver, and works with a vibrant community made up of diverse cultures. To learn more about our ministry family, we sat down with Pastor Johan from Westside Church Internacional (ODM partner) and Pollyana, one of our summer interns.

Hailing from Colombia, Johan brings a wealth of insight to his work at WCI. He emphasizes how his cultural background has allowed him to understand the “why” behind people. Here is what Johan shared…

Poverty is a reality, and for many it is not their fault, it is not a decision that they made, it is just in a way, a destiny that has been given to them. So I have been able to understand and work from that reality, without enabling them. 

Johan has been able to draw from his own cultural background to demonstrate empathy for those in need, recognizing that poverty is often a result of systemic injustices rather than personal choices. Through his leadership, Johan challenges the victimization mindset and inspires individuals to tap into their God-given potential. 

There is a lot of potential in everybody, and I’ve seen people be successful… That has helped me even in my preaching, to not be an enabler of the victimization mindset, but being able to challenge that. To love, and obviously be able to encourage and say ‘the fact that you’re poor is not a license for cheating the system, or lying about things’… we all deserve grace and patience, but also the same amount of accountability. That for me has helped me in my leadership.

Pollyana, our intern from Brazil, also offers a fresh perspective on embracing differences. She shares her experience working with children in the Learning Center and acknowledges the contrasting approaches to child-rearing in her own culture. 

I’m learning new ways to love kids and people. It’s just different, which doesn’t mean it's bad, it’s just that people see things differently, and different cultures do things differently. 

By adopting an open mindset and embracing diverse viewpoints, she encourages us to build friendships rooted in understanding and mutual respect. 

Approach people with humbleness, instead of judging— really try to get to know them and understand why they are different from you… I feel like that helps you to build relationships so that you are wanting to have a friendship despite the differences. 

At Open Door, we desire to create a platform for engaging with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, promoting empathy, compassion, and personal growth. We invite you to take part in our ongoing journey of discovering the richness and beauty found within our diverse community. 

Green Gables is now a Part of Open Door Ministries! | July 13th, 2023

Open Door has now acquired a ministry from Mission98 at Green Gables, a 138-unit apartment complex in southwest Denver (technically Lakewood)—marking a significant milestone in our journey toward creating positive change in that community. Open Door will transition in as Mission98 transitions out looking to become a national resourcing ministry. 

Years ago, a group of believers at Bear Valley Church discovered that 98% of people residing in multi-unit housing were not attending church and wanted to find ways to “bridge the gap between the local Church and unchurched families.” They formed Mission98 and have been working diligently for years with many multi-unit complexes in the Denver area, including Green Gables apartments.

While shifting their focus, Mission98 reached out to Open Door to consider taking over their ministry at Green Gables. After much prayer and consideration from the executive staff and board, we knew God orchestrated this connection. Our Executive Director, David Warren, shares that he is “very excited about this opportunity. It fits with our strategic plan because it’s in southwest Denver, a very low-income part of the city. It’s also close to our newer partner church, Westside Church Internacional. This complex has a lot of needy families and kids for us to reach for Christ.”

As of June 1st, we hired a director who now lives on the property! We also had our first outreach where around 75 people attended—half being kids. It was a fun time to play games and get to know the people of the community.

Green Gables is a unique property owned mostly by members of a Christian family. They have given Open Door two 3-bedroom units to use for ministry. Our newly hired ODM staff is living in one of the units.  The other one is set up as a ministry center currently used for church services, kids’ clubs and tutoring during the school year.  The property also has an outdoor basketball court and a grassy area that we can access for outreach and ministry. 

We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the future as we embark on this exciting new chapter. Together, we can make a lasting impact, one that will be built to last for generations to come. Join us as we continue to build upon the strong foundation laid by Mission98 and the Green Gables owners.

Built To Last | June 28th, 2023

Last month, Open Door celebrated 26 years of sharing hope with urban Denver! Around this time of year, we like to take time and reflect on all we have seen God do through the years — how His daily love, provision, and guidance have upheld us. We serve a God who does not put band-aids on problems. Instead, He gets down to the root causes, removes them, and then builds us better than we could have ever imagined. What He builds is built to last, and that’s our theme for this year of ministry.

We encounter a lot of people who are coming out of various crises such as human trafficking, addiction, homelessness, prison, domestic violence and mental illness. They have often tried other methods to rid themselves of emotional pain and mental anguish to no avail.

Then they come to Open Door where they find Jesus. Through His people and His word, their lives are transformed. One of our program residents, Nicole, put it like this:

“[I am] no longer clinging to the world to be seen, heard, or wanted. It’s because of God that I am now ALIVE in Christ.”

Together, we remember that there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11, MSG). Nicole has had safety and support to begin her healing journey during her time at Open Door, but she had to find Jesus in order to experience change that was built to last. Nicole’s life is one that unveils the power of Christ after years of unspeakable horrors…

Let’s Welcome Our 2023 Summer Interns to Open Door! | June 22nd, 2023

Summer equals our turn for interns! Every summer we invite college-aged students to join our internship program. This year, we have interns from all over the world, who have come along for the adventure, making them a valuable addition to our Open Door family! We want to take an “eMinute” to introduce them to you…

Meet Amari (top left/from Atlanta, GA/Wheaton College): “I love creating things, whether that be music or jewelry. I’m getting to spend my time at Chayah House this summer, and I have loved how supportive and loving everyone at ODM is. All the staff, and even the residents, are always looking out for the well being and growth of others. They want you to be all that God has called you to be.”

Meet Adreana (top 2nd/from Houston TX/Houston Baptist University). “My favorite way to spend time is to go out and try different foods. I am interning with Urban Immersion here at ODM. Because of that, one thing I love about ODM is that I am going out and talking to people that I would’ve never talked to back home.”

Meet Audrey (top 3rd/Denver, CO/Westmont College): “I’m working towards a political science degree. My ideal day would involve reading at a beach. For my internship, I’m splitting my hours between helping the Development Team at Open Door, and engaging with advocacy work with Michelle Warren. Since arriving at Open Door, I’ve loved meeting everyone on staff! Everyone has been so welcoming.”

Meet Polly (top right/from Brazil/Moody Bible Institute): “I am currently interning at the Learning Center, but will be staying to partake in the Nehemiah Leadership Initiative program. I love to hang out with friends, read, and run. While at ODM, I’ve loved living and serving with faithful believers who are different from me and truly care about those they are working with.”

Meet Christy (middle right/from Sri Lanka & Brunei/Moody Bible Institute): “In my free time, I love to listen to live jazz or go for a scenic walk. I am interning in the Urban Immersion program, but will also be staying with ODM for the launch of Nehemiah Leadership Initiative! One thing I have loved is gaining wisdom from staff who have experienced the same challenges as the people we minister to.”

Meet Jonathan (bottom left/Columbus, OH/Cedarville University): “The best way to spend my time is with uninterrupted, intimate time in Jesus’ presence. While serving in the Family Room, I’ve loved the way that God has grown me, stretched me, and challenged me. He is conforming me to His will every day!”

Meet Kimberly (bottom right/from Chattanooga, TN/Chattanooga State Community College): “I love to hike, swim, and spend time with friends. I am interning with Urban Immersion for the summer. The best thing about serving at ODM is the gift of serving God everyday. I’m continually reminded that life is hard, and suffering happens because the world is broken… but God!”

Along with their intern duties, these future leaders live in community, learn through hands-on ministry experience, and grow in their relationship with Christ by partaking in:

• Worship and prayer time with God

• Discussions on biblical justice issues

• Volunteering at Regeneration and other local ministries

• Street evangelism and prayer walks in metro Denver

• Leadership and urban ministry training

• Group mentor meetings

• Serving at Open Door events

• and last, but not least…fun in the sun during Jeep Day & Boat Day!!!!

Our interns make up a special part of our family. Though they may be with us for only a short time, they teach us just as much as we teach them. Their energy and enthusiasm will undoubtedly infuse new life and inspire us to reach even greater heights. What more could we ask for in the body of Christ? Let’s pray that God blesses their journey with us at Open Door this summer.

What’s Hot at the Learning Center (a.k.a LC)! | June 8th, 2023

Check out what the LC’s got cooking up for the summer…

Meet Our New LC Directors!

Great news: We are officially fully staffed at the LC, and we’re grateful God led two gifted leaders our way to join our staff and kick off our LC’s fun-filled summer. Now introducing…

Meredith got well acquainted with Open Door before she came on board! She was introduced through the church she was attending that has been partnering with Open Door for years. Who knew that this partnership would become her open door to Open Door? Only God! "I am looking forward to leading our Learning Center team and working with this amazing group of people. I truly believe that God has led me to ODM, and I am confident that He has wonderful plans and purposes for our time of serving together on "the Block'!”

Jina also knew about Open Door before she joined our staff! She used to serve with a group at Open Door Fellowship around 30 years ago. Who knew that life would come full circle as she’s now working at the place where she once served? Only God! “I moved back to the Denver area about 20 years ago and I knew that Open Door was here. I found God tugging on my heart to come back this way and be a part of the preschool. I am most excited about being a part of a community that loves Jesus and wants to share His love with the Denver community.”

We extend a warm welcome to Meredith and Jina, and we look forward to the positive changes they will bring to our Learning Center!

It’s gettin’ hot!
Here are some cool 😎 things happening at the LC!

Last month, our LC kiddos rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty…all in the name of community service. Cheryl Herrera, our Chayah House Director (pictured above) who is known as the Block’s garden connoisseur, showed them how to put their green thumbs to work!

As the summer season approaches, our kiddos will take the plunge into some thrilling activities that the LC has lined up for them. Our school-age kids will have field trips on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Every Wednesday will be a waterpark day! They'll also embark on other adventures such as exploring marine life at the aquarium, stopping to smell the flowers at the botanic gardens and peeking at peaks during hikes in nearby areas.

Openings are available at the LC! Serving children ages 3-12. Click below to learn more about the LC.

The Loving Gift of a Family Meeting | May 18th, 2023

It’s an unfortunate, common tale that far too many of us have experienced firsthand.  A loved one passes away, and in the aftermath, family chaos ensues. Bickering. Drama. Hurt feelings. Broken relationships. Legal battles.

In his book Splitting Heirs, Ron Blue suggests a simple but often neglected solution: a family meeting.

A family meeting paves the way for healthy dialogue about your values, goals and estate plans.

To be most effective, a family meeting may involve the help of a trusted advisor, attorney or family friend as a conversation facilitator. However, it may be as simple as sitting down with your adult children, grandchildren and/or other loved ones for an open, honest conversation.

Through a family meeting, you can…

Teach and explain.
“The family meeting gives your heirs a chance to hear from you –your heart, your wishes,” writes Blue. “It also gives them the permission and opportunity to ask questions.”

Share wisdom.
Discuss important financial principles, such as budgeting, investing, saving and charitable giving.

Unite family. 
Model your desire for the family to communicate openly and to be united rather than divided in difficult times.

Manage expectations.
Help everyone get on the same page to eliminate a “coping gap” (the difference between expectations and reality) for your heirs when they receive more or less from your plan than what they had expected. 

Admittedly, for many, the idea of holding a family meeting is awkward at best – terrifying at worst.

But as Blue explains, it’s a key aspect of any effective estate plan. He writes, “You will have a family conference. It’s just a matter of whether you will be alive to attend. … Who can better discuss our motivations, hopes, desires and blessings with your family: you, or your lawyer reading your will?”

Ready to plan your family meeting? Request your free copy of “Sharing Your Plan with Your Loved Ones: A Guide for Your Family Meeting” by contacting Sheronda at sheronda@odmdenver.org.

DOUBLE FOR THE DOOR! Let’s Reach Our Matching Gift Goal! |May 3rd, 2023

We have a $5,000 matching gift for all Run for the Door registrations! That means the amount we earn in registrations, up to $5,000, will be matched dollar-for-dollar to double our impact. So far, we've raised $4,216! Thank you for taking us all the way to address the root causes of poverty in urban Denver!

Also, did we mention how scenic our NEW LOCATION (Clement Park) is? Join us on June 3rd to run, walk or roll around this beautiful reservoir at Run for the Door!

Run for the Door
Saturday, June 3rd 2023
Clement Park - 7306 W Bowles Ave. Littleton, CO 80123

$35 Adults, Youth, & Wheelchair Riders
$40 Virtual Participants - Your Swag Will Be Mailed To You
$100 - Families With Children

Run For The Door With Us: TRYAD STROLLERS & ROLLERS | April 27th, 2023

Our TRYAD ministry unites abled-bodied and disabled individuals in the community. Each year, TRYAD gets a chance to go to Rocky Mountain Village for a special weekend retreat. The camp is fully accessible to those with disabilities, and it offers many fun activities including a zipline!

It’s also a wonderful time for our participants—many who do not get to go to the mountains often—to fellowship, worship, and strengthen relationships with God and others.  This year, TRYAD will go on retreat from September 8th - 10th. 

Every year, TRYAD raises funds to cover camp scholarships (this year’s cost is $300/participant), plus transportation and food for participants who only receive disability or SSI assistance and cannot afford the full cost of the retreat. 

Would you be willing to cover a full scholarship or give toward retreat costs? Click below to give to “Team TRYAD Strollers and Rollers” and help every TRYAD participant experience God’s beautiful creation for an amazing weekend in September!

Any funds raised above the amount needed for retreat participants will be used to support TRYAD operations. Let’s root for TRYAD as they stroll and roll to reach their goal this year at Run for the Door!

Click Here To Support TRYAD Strollers And Rollers

Family Room Reopening
And Introducing Our New Family Room Director, Tom Adams| April 20th, 2023

It is with great joy to announce that Open Door’s Family Room has reopened! Along with that, we would like to introduce our new Family Room Director, Tom Adams. Tom has always had a calling to be a part of Open Door, and we feel so blessed to finally have him on the ODM team.

Tom recently shared, “It has been a great honor and privilege to be serving in this capacity at the Family Room and to be able to participate in God’s plan of redemption and transformation for those we serve. I am greatly encouraged by the warm welcome and support I have received and the vision that God has shared with us about the future of this sacred space.”

Prior to the reopening, a group of ODM staff gathered in prayer to ask for God’s blessing and protection over the Family Room and all who enter the doors. On April 3rd, we gathered again to celebrate our reopening with worship, breakfast from Chick-Fil-A and lunch from a local partner. 

“Several of our guests from the community stated that they were relieved to see the doors open again because the Family Room is a place they can relax and find a peaceful space away from the harsh conditions on the street.”

What to Expect with the Family Room Reopening:

The Family Room will be staffed and open to the public from 8 am - 12 pm, Monday through Saturday. Plans are being made to bring back several of the resources and services that were in place prior to the temporary shutdown, such as portable showers, along with the opportunity to wash and dry personal clothing items.

“The Family Room,” according to Tom, “has been established to be a lighthouse of love and hope in this neighborhood.”

Tom also expresses that “we are approaching this as a perfect opportunity not only to serve people coming to us from the streets but with the goal of venturing outside our walls consistently to reach those facing hardship with hearts of compassion and to invite them to come and experience what God’s love is all about.”

We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new friends of our community into the Family Room.

Two Ways To Help Our Hearing-Impaired Resident | April 19th, 2023

Here at Open Door, we have the privilege of journeying alongside all kinds of people. As we're all created in the image of God, our heart is to not let anything stop someone from reaching their God-given destiny.

Recently, Treasure House—our transitional home for single women with children—welcomed a new mom who’s deaf and on the road to overcome barriers of single motherhood. Our amazing staff has done a great job learning how to best meet her needs, but here’s where you can come along:

#1: Sign Language Volunteer Needed
We’re looking for volunteer(s) who can be an ASL Translator for our new resident, mainly for church and Regeneration services. God has entrusted us with this unique role, and we want you to be a part of it! If you, or anyone else you know, can sign and would be willing to serve, please reach out to Jennifer Overshiner, our Volunteer Director, at jennifer@odmdenver.org.

#2 Help Us Purchase Items Needed for Treasure House
We are kindly requesting any donations that can help us meet the needs of our new resident. Specifically, we need the following items:

• Sonic Bomb Baby Cry Signaler (to alert her when her baby is crying): $41.22

• Sonic Alert SB1000SS Boom Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker (to wake her in the night if her baby starts to cry): $80.45

• Sonic Alert Sonic Link Deluxe Remote Receiver: $50.95

• Door Knock 125 (to alert her when staff knocks at her door) : $35.95

You can also contribute toward this need by donating at odmdenver.org/donate and writing “Treasure House” in the comments box.

Meet Ashlyn Jones, ODM’s New Development Assistant | April 11th, 2023

This March, we were thrilled to welcome Ashlyn Jones to the ODM Development Team! Ashlyn is a new face to ODM staff but not new to The Block. We asked Ashlyn a few questions to help you get to know her a little better:

Ashlyn, please tell us about yourself.

I am Ashlyn Jones from West Palm Beach, FL. I am a 31-year old mom to my beautiful daughter, Aria. I have been blessed to have found Open Door as a participant when I was pregnant and looking for housing in the Denver area. I started at Te Veo House and then moved over to Treasure House once I had my daughter. The Still Waters Housing program helped me have time to rest and also get a better understanding of my relationship with God. I remember the night I prayed for the first time in a long time asking for help with finding housing. I got a call from the director at Te Veo, Lena, a few days later to meet with her. I moved to The Block the next day. I have since found community here at Open Door. After my time at Te Veo and Treasure, God blessed me with my own place, and I am now working as Open Door’s Development Assistant!

What are you most excited about being a part of Open Door staff?

I am most excited about serving the community and making a difference here on The Block. I enjoy getting to know more of the people who help build and support Open Door as well. So far, everyone I have met has been amazing, and I am so excited to be able to help more people become aware of Open Door Ministries. Open Door helped me and my daughter out so much that I hope we can help more people in the future.

What do you look forward to doing in your position?

I look forward to helping ensure the successful completion of development projects we have coming up. I also look forward to using my skills and capabilities to support and contribute to the Open Door team.

Important Tax Credit Information | March 28th, 2023

We at Open Door would like to share with you a rare opportunity to maximize God’s work and your impact in urban Denver.

Introducing the NEW Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit!

What is the Homeless Contribution Tax Credit (HCTC)?

As of January 1st, 2023, the Enterprise Zone (EZ) tax credit has been replaced with Colorado’s Homeless Contribution Tax Credit (HCTC). The new HCTC is now available in the entire state of Colorado to support a broader range of homelessness-response services. HCTC gifts qualify for a 25% state income tax credit (ex: Give $1,000 and get $250 in tax credit)! Open Door Ministries now offers this new tax credit to giving partners as a CO state-approved agency!

What is HCTC’s impact?

Unlike the EZ, more Open Door programs qualify under the new HCTC! Now, your HCTC gift to Open Door supports more resources for homeless individuals and families who are taking their next step toward self-sufficiency! The following programs are eligible under the new HCTC:

How do I qualify for HCTC?

1. Give a one-time monetary gift of $1,000+ or a one-time in-kind gift of $5,000+ to Open Door Ministries. 

• To give by check, make your gift payable to “Open Door Ministries” or to any specific program listed above if desired, and specify “HCTC” on the check memo line.  

• To give online, visit odmdenver.org/donate, select “Homeless Tax Credit” as designation.  If desired, specify any program listed above in the comments section.  

2.  Call us at 720-975-0120 to provide your information (SSN or FEIN).

• The State of Colorado requires your FULL Social Security Number (SSN) to qualify for the HCTC program, which is used to verify identity.  This personal information is encrypted and stored in a secure database.

3. Receive your gift receipt and tax credit certificate. 

• HCTC certificates could take several weeks to process due to current processing guidelines set by the State.  We appreciate your patience as we work with the State to process your documentation.  

Any HCTC resources?

Please visit cdola.colorado.gov/hctc for more information. If you have further questions regarding the new tax credit, please contact Sheronda at 720-975-0120 or sheronda@odmdenver.org. 

Can I give now?
YES!  Visit odmdenver.org/donate to make your qualifying gift and take advantage of this special tax credit while restoring lives today!  

Serving Survivors of Sexual Exploitation | March 23rd, 2023

Our heartbeat at Open Door Ministries is ministering to those who are most vulnerable in our community. This is why for years we have provided housing and hope to women who have experienced sexual exploitation or abuse.

In 2021 alone, 150 cases of sex trafficking were reported in Colorado, and these cases included over 240 trafficked victims in total (according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline). To share more about this important issue, we sat down with Clare Adams, ODM’s Esther House Director. Esther House exists to serve women experiencing crisis, including homelessness, substance use disorder, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation. Here is some of our conversation with Clare:

What is “sexual exploitation?”

According to the World Health Organization, sexual exploitation is defined as "Actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another." It includes trafficking and prostitution. Sex trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commerical sex acts. The term “sexual exploitation” encompasses the lifestyle many of our women once experienced. 

How do women end up in sexual exploitation?

Traffickers often prey on the most vulnerable of populations, but in reality, it can happen to anyone. Often targets have little support systems in place, are isolated and marginalized - this could include those experiencing homelessness, peronsal or family history of untreated mental health issues, history of abuse, or those struggling with substance use disorder. Often times runaway youth who are out alone can be targeted. Both men and women alike can become targets - it is not soley women. Traffickers use control tactics such as physical, emotional, and economic abuse and threats to create a feeling of being trapped and fear of leaving.

What does restoration look like for a woman healing from sexual exploitation?

Understandably, the women we serve have deep hurt and trauma from their past experiences. Esther House welcomes women into a physically safe place where they can begin to separate from the life they were in. Our treatment approach is a discipleship model bringing the life-changing power of the Gospel paired with the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM). Through this approach, we want each woman to find holistic restoration, which involves counseling, physical wellbeing, and learning healthy coping skills. Trauma can deeply influence brain chemistry, and we seek to equip women with the right resources so they can learn to be honest, to ask for help, and to practice self care.

Our women are not labeled as victims, addicts, or homeless. At Esther House, their identity is redefined as children of God. The ultimate healing comes from him! He is a God of restoration.

Avoiding the Cliffhanger | March 13th, 2023

How do you react when a story has no ending and leaves you hanging?  You might be riddled with frustration as you can hardly wait to find out what happens next.  Cliffhangers might be an amusing way to end a novel or sitcom. But it’s hardly the way to conclude your own life’s story.

Yet this is exactly what will happen if you don’t complete or communicate your estate plans. Your loved ones will face the ultimate “cliffhanger.”

Without completing and sharing your will or trust, your family will be burdened with uncertainty about how you wanted your belongings to be distributed. They won’t be clear on the provisions you wanted to make for your family or for the causes close to your heart. 

Instead, through good planning, you can write a beautiful narrative that punctuates and accentuates all the goodness of your life. Your completed will offers a powerful testimony about what matters most to you — communicating your priorities and the core values by which you’ve lived.

Your will protects your assets and belongings, and it helps your loved ones avoid unnecessary taxes and legal fees. Through it, you can provide for family with special needs or secure guardianship for minors. Your last chapter can also transfer God-given resources to further the mission of Open Door Ministries and other Kingdom work the Lord has placed on your heart.

So, don’t leave your loved ones hanging with a narrative that’s incomplete. Having a will in place completes your life’s story in a smart, loving and meaningful way.

Ready to take the next step?  I would love to help get you started!  Let's set up a planning meeting with our partners at Barnabas Foundation.  You'll receive a FREE personalized Charitable Legacy Blueprint that documents planning recommendations getting you one step closer to completing your will. 

Contact me to learn more: sheronda@odmdenver.org or 720-975-0120.

What would it take for me to land on the streets? | February 21st, 2023

During my time serving at Open Door Ministries, I’ve encountered many men and women who have taken some hard punches in life. Sometimes I’ve wondered - what would it take for me to land on the streets with nowhere to turn? It’s not impossible that I could end up there, but it’s hard to imagine.

My name is Megan Etter and I serve as Communications Director here at Open Door. If life was a game of cards, I had a great “hand” dealt to me. Growing up in a strong Christian home. Graduating from college. Finding a career based on my passion. Owning a home. Cultivating a healthy marriage and family. Plugging into a local church.

The longer I’ve been around ODM, the more I’ve learned that true poverty isn’t only financial. The measure of true poverty is also relational (and spiritual!) At this point in my life, I have close family and friends that would help me through unexpected hardship - and for that I thank God.

According to the Atlanta Mission, “Many people experience homelessness because they lack the community and support that all humans so desperately need.” We see this again and again as men and women walk through our doors.

Many individuals in the Open Door community have lost jobs, lost housing, struggled with addiction, or suffered from abuse. But in tandem with these hardships, many are also relationally poor. They have no door to knock on. No couch to crash on. Life choices and circumstances have drawn people away from healthy relationships with their parents, siblings, or children.

That is why one of our seven outcome goals at Open Door is “Renewed Relationships.” Maintaining healthy relationships is an important marker of a life that’s been restored. We are overjoyed when we hear our residents share how they have found relational healing - in both old and new relationships!

“When I first came here, I wasn't even in contact with my son. [Open Door] kept me clean and sober and helped me find my son, and get in contact with him.” - Esther House Resident

“It's been tough being alone for so long and now being in a faith based community has been such a blessing I didn't know I needed.” - Te Veo Resident

“The relationship between God and myself is the strongest it's ever been, leading me to live a life with joy and peace!” - Chayah House Resident

You can learn more about Open Door’s outcome goals by visiting odmdenver.org/our-mission. Thank you for joining with us to point people to a vibrant, restored life in Christ.

Karey Graduates from Esther House | January 31st, 2023

On Saturday we gathered for one of the most inspiring occasions at Open Door - a Still Waters Housing Graduation!

But Karey is no ordinary graduate. This was Karey’s fourth attempt going through the Still Waters Housing program at Esther House.

Side note: Esther House is an intensive 2-year transitional home where women break ties from unhealthy relationships, heal from addiction, and rebuild their lives on the foundation of Christ. Like our other transitional homes, it takes true perseverance, courage, and dependence upon Christ to make it through the full program.

Let’s rewind a little on Karey’s story. Karey first came to the ODM community in the early 2000s. She associated with the “street kids,” a group of individuals who became homeless at a young age and never emotionally matured into adulthood. Karey was drawn to ODM because of the outreach of Bruce Vlieger and Bex Drake who ran ODM’s Ezra program.

In those early years, Karey once told Bex, “I don’t believe in love. It doesn’t exist.” The thought of Karey ever overcoming her past and experiencing God’s great love for her seemed nearly impossible.

Karey’s story has been full of twists and turns over the almost twenty years we’ve known her. But here is what we are rejoicing in today: Karey has found the love of Christ! She came back to Open Door in 2021 after dropping out of Esther House three previous times. By God’s grace, Karey’s perseverance, and a supportive community around her, Karey completed the program!

On January 1st, Karey moved into her own apartment. It’s the first place she’s lived on her own in thirteen years. She saved her money diligently to furnish the space and make it feel like home. Then on Saturday we filled the Open Door sanctuary with people to celebrate what God has done in her life. What a testament to his unfailing, never-ending love for us.

If you’d like to encourage Karey by sending her a congratulatory message, please respond to this email and we will pass your words along.

Did We Thrive in 25? | January 23rd, 2023

In 2022, we celebrated 25 years of making disciples for Christ in urban Denver. 

So, did we thrive financially in 25? We came just $83K shy of rounding off 2022. Yet, through God’s provision and your partnership, we thrived financially by:

• Raising a record-breaking amount through Run For The Door 5K (20% over our goal!)

• Receiving the highest amount in foundation and government grant funding we’ve ever received (excluding COVID relief).

• Stewarding the 30% raised for our Thrive in 25 capital campaign goal and paying off Cornerstone House, Nehemiah House and Te Veo House!

• Raising $629,821 in December 2022 toward our year-end goal, an increase from December 2021.

We are eternally grateful to you for celebrating our 25th year with us through your generosity! In spite of our 2022 shortage, we have good news: Our board has decided to move forward with our approved 2023 budget of $3,665,473. This is a 7% increase over the 2022 budget. Due to inflation, the 2023 budget accommodates increased costs and staff compensation. We move forward with the aim to carefully watch expenses, diligently earn more income, and make adjustments along the way.  

With the need to raise more revenue before us, we’re grateful for the timing of some groundbreaking, philanthropic opportunities emerging this year that will benefit our partners, ODM’s mission and the Kingdom at large. Stay tuned as we share more information with you in the coming weeks.

We are excited about 2023! We encourage you to learn more, get involved, and keep trusting God with us for great things to come.

With joy for a new year,

David Warren

Executive Director

Watching Fears Turn to Joy with Urban Immersion | January 19th, 2023

Comfort zones allow us to feel safe, but an abundant life comes when we step beyond a comfortable life. Living outside of the box is a concept that God has been teaching me ever since I arrived at Open Door Ministries in 2019. My name is Jennifer, and I am the Urban Immersion Director. This means that I get to help people step out of their comfort zones, watch their fears turn to joy, and celebrate how God touches hearts.

A brief overview of Urban Immersion: we host short-term immersion trips where groups learn about urban issues, step out of their comfort zones, and interact with individuals experiencing homelessness. We do so through a variety of activities, such as prayer walks, service projects, and street outreach.

I never get tired of seeing God transform people’s perspectives, and therefore their lives. Groups are often nervous to engage with people they don’t know. They ask questions like, “What am I going to say?” or “Is this actually a good idea?” After doing a training and lifting up our requests to Jesus, we hit the streets to see who God ordains us to meet.

One of my favorite stories happened when a middle school group walked on Colfax and one student said he felt that we should turn around, cross the street, and go talk to a man sitting down. The man ended up sharing his struggles with us, encouraged us with Scripture, and allowed us to pray for him. For a brief time, we got the privilege of sharing the burdens of a brother in Christ, and we all got to witness the beauty that can come out of hearing God’s voice, obeying that call, and stepping out of comfort zones.

Further “fun” interactions include a man experiencing homelessness playing cards with a group of students and then giving them the deck of cards to keep–one of the few possessions he owned–, and on another occasion, a full on concert breaking out in the streets as a group of students engaged with a couple who had a guitar. Every group walks away with a similar perspective: once you’ve seen God move, it’s hard to not want to take steps to see Him move again! 

I encourage you to fight past your comfort zone, take a step of faith, and see what God will do in your life! “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

For a more in depth look at what we do in Urban Immersion or to get your group on our schedule for the summer, please visit odmdenver.org/urban-immersion.

Excited for you to join us at ODM,

Jennifer Overshiner
Urban Immersion Director

Introducing: Nehemiah Leadership Initiative | January 11th, 2023

As Open Door Ministries continues to thrive in urban Denver, we believe that our biggest asset isn’t our properties or our bank balance… it’s our people!

Every single person in our community has something to bring to the table. Everyone has something to contribute, whether they’re a resident, staff person, Family Room guest, or volunteer. Raising people up to lead our community is an intrinsic part of who we are as ministry… in fact, it’s one of our four focus areas: Leadership Development!

After years of prayer and planning, we are excited to introduce the start of a new program at ODM: Nehemiah Leadership Initiative (NLI).

Nehemiah Leadership Initiative will be an eight-month immersive fellowship, equipping future urban leaders to step into their kingdom calling. NLI will select a group of students to serve with Open Door Ministries from September through April each year.

Each NLI Fellow will work within one or more of ODM’s programs while living on site and will train in discipleship, leadership development, and biblical justice education.

Does this sound like something you or someone you know might be interested in? Applications are now open for our first fellowship, starting this September. You can learn more by visiting odmdenver.org/nli and by tapping here to watch a message from our NLI Director, Michael Whittington.

Adopting Esther House for Christmas | December 19th, 2022

“When you give God yourself, he gives back more.” This was a comment from one of our volunteers that arranged for her Mission Hills Bible study group to adopt Esther House (our transitional home for women escaping crisis) for Christmas.

The Bible study group was in search of a meaningful opportunity to serve locally this Christmas. Through a series of God-ordained “coincidences” these women selected Open Door for their Christmas outreach. They shared, “We really felt that God has called us to do something for someone in our midst.”

One of the study leaders commented, “Through our fall study we learned about how Jesus uplifted women. We wanted to turn around and uplift women too.” So when the opportunity to adopt Esther House for Christmas came up, they jumped at the opportunity.

The group was able to visit Esther House twice this December. The first time, they brought boxes upon boxes of Christmas decorations and were able to meet some of the Esther House residents in the process. Then they received wish lists for each of the four residents and went shopping! They returned a week later with stockings and gifts for each of the ladies (pictured above).

One of the volunteers shared, “It seemed like the more we got involved, the more excited we got. You can’t rob the joy of giving. So joyful to be able to bless others.”

Christmas can be a season that conjures up negative memories for some of our residents who didn’t have stable upbringings or haven’t spent a holiday sober in many years. We are grateful for volunteers that go above and beyond to show our residents that they are loved, valued, and cherished.

Spreading Christmas Cheer to Our Neighbors on the Streets | Dec 14th, 2022

What an incredible, joy-filled day we had on Saturday at the Family Room Christmas Giveaway! 205 individuals came through our doors. Everyone was paired with a “personal shopper” who took them around to fill a large bag with winter gear, blankets, toiletries, underwear, and more. We had 52 volunteers join us, including women who offered free haircuts and folks from Kitchen One for One who served up delicious tacos from their food truck.

Above all, our greatest excitement was the eternal impact this event made on our Family Room Friends. Through the intentional conversation and individual prayer, one person gave his life to Christ for the first time and two others chose to rededicate their lives to Christ. Praise God!

Pastor Dale got to pray with a lady who has cancer. He said to her, "You may go other days unnoticed, but today is not that day. Today, someone sees you, your pain, and notices you." She broke down crying, asked if she could give him a hug, and didn’t want to let go!

Thank you to the many of you who donated items, food, or gave of your time to make this a day to remember.

I made it! | Nov 12th, 2022

Dear Friends,

I made it the entire 25 miles today and ran by all of ODM’s ministry locations on the route. A huge thanks to Clay Linegar and Michael Whittington who ran the whole way with me and several others who did good chunks of it.  

Thank you to all who sponsored the run and gave donations. We have raised $59,496 toward the goal of $100,000. You can still visit odmdenver.org/25miles to donate to Open Door as we show mercy, build community, and make disciples for Christ in urban Denver.

Signing off and heading for a nice couch,
David Warren
Executive Director
Open Door Ministries

Building Staff Culture at Snow Mountain Ranch | September 20th, 2022

Last Thursday, 22 of our staff headed up to Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby for an Open Door Ministries staff retreat! We all piled into one large cabin and enjoy three days and two nights together in a beautiful mountain setting.

Our time together started off with a special time of staff-led worship, which set a positive tone for the entire retreat. We also spent intentional time hearing messages from scripture, learning more about our strategic plan, and affirming one another.

One of our highlights was morning prayer time. Each newer staff person paired up with a long-term staff person to get to know each other and go on a prayer walk together.

On top of this, we enjoyed piles of food and lots of laughter playing volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and some competitive board games late into the night. The final evening we built a campfire and Bonnie (Family Room Assistant) enjoyed her first s’more ever!

Other than the mouse that made an appearance inside our cabin, we are so grateful for this rejuvenating time that allows us to go back to Denver and serve at ODM whole-heartedly.

Food, Flashbacks & Faithfulness | September 15th, 2022

“My name is Kari Allen. I am a part of Still Waters Housing at Chayah House and also work for Street2Life. Open Door has been a real blessing. It’s been a godsend to me. It has brought me and surrounded me with people who truly love me. They care about my well being and they’re here to support me in my recovery from addiction. I have found a lot of freedom and peace since I’ve been here and I’ve grown on a personal level and on a spiritual level for sure. Thank you Open Door.”

Christian Riders Support Esther House | July 29th, 2022

We love how so many different individuals come together to support God’s work at Open Door Ministries, including one of our newer partners, Christian Riders in Faith (CRIF), who have recently come together to support one of our Still Waters homes, Esther House.

But before we tell you more about this awesome group of riders, we want to introduce you to an actual Esther House resident, Karey. Tap the image below to hear directly from Karey how God is moving in her life at ODM.

Christian Riders in Faith became an Open Door partner in 2021 by becoming a Run for the Door 5K Sponsor. Last year, CRIF founded "Break the Shackles" Motorcycle Ride, an annual event to raise funds for organizations helping people escape human and sex trafficking.

For its 2nd year, CRIF hosted a poker run with all proceeds going to Esther House! CRIF wanted to support Esther House's current renovation needs so it can continue to be a safe haven for women coming out of unique domestic and sex industry crises.

July 16th was a fun-filled day that included live music, free food, over 20 vendors, and a motorcycle/car show and competition. The event also brought out over 50 riders revved up to support women in need. Clare Adams (Esther House Director), Marti Hannon (Esther House Assistant Director) and Sheronda Williams (Development Director) represented ODM, helped to spread awareness of our mission and developed relationships.

Even one of our Esther House residents came out to volunteer, and she said, "I'm so glad to be at Open Door. Open Door was there when I had nowhere else to go." She also mentioned how touched she was to see other ministries partner together to support her and other residents.

A Busy Bee Summer | June 29th, 2022

Every weekday during the summer, our Learning Center is filled with about 25 students ages 3-12. The purpose of the Learning Center is to support working families by providing a quality education and Christian character development, and the LC staff do an incredible job providing physically, spiritually, and mentally enriching activities all day long from June to August!

This June, our School-Age kids were invited to join Bethany Busy Bee Preschool in Littleton for their “Monumental” VBS. They learned about Joseph’s story in the Old Testament and how it connects to Jesus. It was a blast to see the kids engage with the activities and worship songs.

Two of our students struggle with behavior issues and we weren’t certain if they would come to the VBS consistently. We were amazed to see them attend every day and now they want to listen to the VBS worship music nonstop! Our Learning Center has been blasting the VBS CD this week and everyone has been singing along!

Our staff put a lot of time and intention into the summer curriculum for both the elementary-aged kids and the preschoolers. Here are just some highlights:

• Daily Bible Study Lessons

• A Summer Reading Challenge with Prizes

• Trips to the Children’s Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Paco Sanchez Park, Sea Quest, & More!

• A Deep-Dive Study on the Ocean

• Story Time at Hampton Library

• Visits to Skate City, the Denver Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion, and Oasis Volleyball (where they turn their indoor sand pits into a massive sandbox for kids!)

We are grateful that so many local families entrust us with the care of their children and that we get to support the whole family unit by providing a safe and nurturing space for their kids to thrive. We now have openings in our preschool program (ages 3-5). If you are interested in enrolling your child, click here for more information!

In Honor of Brooke Hardy | June 16th, 2022

“We want people to be aware of the dangers of drug use and the cost of making one bad decision.” 

As tears streamed down her face, Liz Hardy welcomed us to spread this awareness and share about her daughter, Brooke Hardy.

Brooke tragically passed at age 25 due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl early on New Year’s Day 2022. “She never suffered from addiction, but she tried the drug out of ignorance and that decision cost her her life,” shared Liz.

Through the support of community partners, Dave & Liz Hardy and family hosted The Brooke Hardy Charity Event on June 5th. The event allowed family and friends to lend their financial support through raffles, participating vendors and other opportunities. The Hardys decided to donate ALL proceeds from the event to Open Door Ministries.

Dave & Liz first heard about Open Door through Flatirons Community Church and even volunteered at a service project for Treasure House last August. The connection between Brooke's heart to serve the homeless and Open Door's work to do the same led them to support our organization.

Reminiscing over Brooke, Dave shared, “She truly had a heart for the homeless. She wouldn’t let fear deter her from lending a helping hand, getting them food or giving them blankets on cold winter nights. That’s why we wanted to give back to Open Door.”

Sheronda attended the event to represent ODM and connect with the Hardy family. “The event was a huge success, and I was able to have meaningful conversations with Brooke’s parents, meet Brooke's siblings, Paige and Logan, and meet many of their friends. Hearing from each of them, they all said Brooke was a presence that brightened any room in which she walked. Her parents are grateful that through this event, her life is still making an impact, which is what she wanted to do above all else.” 

“Thank you for keeping my family in your prayers,” says Liz. “We are doing our best because God is good, but this is the hardest journey we’ve ever been on, so continued prayers are very much appreciated.”

Though our words can do little, we hope our thoughts and prayers will encourage The Hardys during this difficult period.  

To the Hardys: May you find comfort knowing that Brooke’s life continues forever in heaven and Brooke’s impact continues forever on earth serving urban Denver.

Be A Good Samaritan - May 20th, 2022

Here’s a Thrive in 25 Video from our friend Matt in the Family Room!

“I started coming around 2017 when they had the Saturday morning breakfast. Unlike a lot of other places that say that they help but don’t really help all that much, this place will actually try to help you with resources in the best way that they can.” - Matt, Family Room Guest

We Invite You to Touch a Life with the Samaritan App

Last year, the Family Room partnered with Samaritan, a program that allows you to give money directly to someone experiencing homelessness in a way that gives dignity and shows transparency.

We enroll Family Room guests that we have established relationships with. Once they are enrolled, they get a “smart wallet” which helps them set goals to work toward obtaining housing, employment, or to take small steps to stability.

You can download the Samaritan app and give directly to our Samaritan members. These funds are released to them on a VISA debit card by Open Door staff once they complete their goals.

Real Stories of Success Through Samaritan

Karey (pictured left) successfully completed her Samaritan goals, which have included working on Open Door staff and participating in the Freedom in Christ group with Open Door Fellowship. Through Samaritan she has been able to save up enough money for a deposit and first month’s rent for an apartment.

Catherine (pictured center) was staying at a shelter when she first started the Samaritan program. During her time with us she volunteered weekly and has now found stable housing.

Augustine (picture right) was recently homeless, but has become a leader in our Samaritan program. He has volunteered in the Family Room more and more frequently and is now helping with administrative tasks and managing the coffee station. But what has been most remarkable to watch is a change in Augustine’s demeanor. He spent 16 years in prison and had a rough exterior. But now he has opened his heart to God and started praying for people in the Family Room. He commented, “I feel mushy inside and I don’t know what to do about it.” Augustine is also on track to move into stable housing this weekend. We love watching how God is working in his life!

A Treasure House Makeover - May 12, 2022

At the end of 2021, an employee of Footprints Floors attended our annual banquet and decided he wanted to get his company involved in God’s work at ODM. After touring our properties, the company committed to refinishing the floors at Treasure House, our home for single moms. DuraSeal donated the product to finish the floors and Footprints staff not only did the finishing, but also sent some of their administrative staff to paint and stage two of our bedrooms for single moms.

When the floors were being refinished this spring we also installed brand new kitchen cabinets. The home is now in beautiful shape to welcome new residents. We also hired a new Treasure House Director, Jamie, and Assistant Director, Bailey, after our previous house staff transitioned to other positions.

We would love your help to outfit Treasure House so it can be a hospitable environment for the new single moms and kiddos we’ll be welcoming through our doors starting this June. We’ve put together an Amazon Wishlist with items (big and small) that you can help contribute to Treasure House. Click here to view the wishlist and tangibly help young single mothers in our community!

As we celebrate 25 years of ministry, we are launching a series of videos highlighting ministry participants, staff, and volunteers who’ve had their lives changed at Open Door Ministries. You won’t want to miss our first video from the most recent graduate from Treasure House, Nikki.

He is Risen Indeed! Eggs, Skits & Reaching Our Westside Neighbors
April 28th, 2022

The Westside community gathered last week to reach the neighborhood through an incredible “He Is Risen” Easter outreach! 

The 138 people who attended the event enjoyed live music and games, but more importantly, each person heard the gospel message in some form.

Pastor Michelle Cazas organized a Resurrection Egg storytelling time where kids heard the Easter story in an interactive way. We were able to send each child home with their own set of Resurrection Eggs (and we had extras, which we sent home with each of our Learning Center kiddos and let them hear the story too!) 

Since our neighbors speak many languages, Pastor Michelle also organized a silent evangelistic skit (you can watch by clicking here) so we could communicate the gospel without any words. We followed the successful skit with an evangelistic message, more live music, and an Easter Egg Hunt.

We are grateful for volunteers from Foothills Bible Church who volunteered for several days with us to help pull off the event. We cannot express how incredibly helpful they were in making this event a success.

On top of this, we are thrilled to see two young women give their lives to Jesus at the event! We pray that many more were touched and that we will continue to see God’s work in their hearts!

Watch Nikkie’s Treasure House Rap
March 17th, 2022

Graduating from Treasure House, one of our Still Waters Housing transitional programs, is no small accomplishment - it takes two years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. On Saturday we gathered together to celebrate Nikkie as she successfully graduated the program! Nikkie has an incredible story, and we thought you’d like to hear it…

“Starting at the age of 14, I spent the next 18 years in and out of institutions, psych wards, and treatment programs for dangerous drug use. I was arrested many, many times. In and out of the ER and detox. And the picture I hope I’m painting for you is just how hopeless I really was. I was one of those people that it seemed like I would never get better. Many of my loved ones grieved my death many years ago because that was the trajectory that I was on. How I was living wasn’t really living.

Then two years ago I was a new mother again and I was so excited. I couldn’t believe I was given that opportunity again after everything I had done. And I realized that not even that was enough - that not even the thing I wanted more than anything in the world, my deepest desire or my strongest will, was enough to get me better. I was on the path to repeat the cycle all over again. And that’s when I had my first meaningful communication to who I now know to be God. I said, ‘Fix me or take me because I can’t do another day like this.’ And you know what, I didn’t do another day like that. 

I was in treatment in less than 36 hours. I stopped using drugs the next day. God really got down in the grave that I was in and built this strong scaffolding around me in the way of people, and places, and relationships, and opportunities, and all I had to do was climb. 

So many miracles happened at Treasure House. The amount of times I was celebrated at Treasure House far exceeds the amount of times I was arrested! I was so excited when I celebrated one year there because I had never stayed put for one year anywhere. I had never had the same relationships for one year. And now here I am. My mind is a little blown because I never saw myself with several years clean, and with good relationships.”

Black History Month: Get Inspired!
February 15th, 2022

In honor of Black History month, we want to introduce you to some of our Downtown Youth Center students! They took the time to share with us who inspires them the most in the black community and what they aspire to be when they grow up.

Joann, We See You
February 10th, 2022

We’d like to introduce you to Joann, a new face on the ODM Block. Joann moved into Te Veo House on December 14th, 2021, and has an incredible story to share of God’s faithfulness.

“I journeyed back to New Jersey last year to take care of my mom. Within a month of me being there, her kidneys dramatically failed. She passed away July 4th, but it was her freedom day.

“When she passed, I suddenly realized I didn’t have a place to live. I was living, eating, sleeping and washing up in my car during a heat wave in August.”

After a few stops with friends and family, Joann sensed the Lord leading her to return to Denver. Her daughter sent her a link to the Open Door website and told Joann she should apply for transitional housing.

“As I was filling out the application, I heard that God was sending me there.”  In an act of trust, Joann drove to Denver to interview for a spot in Te Veo House. After patiently waiting and sleeping in her car in the cold weather, she received a call that she could move in. “Praise the Lord!”

“When I got to the house, Lena [Te Veo Director] had a gift bag on the bed, a new bedspread, and a greeting letter saying ‘We see you.’ I left the letter on the dresser for days because it was such a beautiful greeting.”  

When Christmas rolled around, the staff showered residents with gifts from donors. Joann commented, “I know they shopped with their heart in a very mindful, loving way. It was a blessing to see so much love poured out on the sisters here in this house. You could see God’s hand working. Our donors need to know the impact that it made on every person here.”

Joann has a God given calling on her life to write. She is currently writing her first book titled "She Cries Holy" and is due out by summer. She said, “I just can’t believe it. Marti [Te Veo Assistant Director] arranged for me to have a desk. Somebody bought me a printer. Right now, I’m looking at all these books spread out on my bed, and I’m grateful.”

Joann, we see you!