Low-barrier Shelter & Support
About Us
WHAT WE DO
As the area's only low-barrier shelter, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive and safe place for individuals experiencing homelessness to be. In collaboration with partners, we ensure a warm and nourishing meal for each guest. Utilizing this collaborative approach, we work diligently to provide access and navigation to the many great community resources that can help our guests achieve success. This includes organizing partners to bring vital services to the shelter. In addition to shelter, we also "hit the streets" to meet individuals where they are with support services.
In mid-2022, the City of Harrisonburg purchased the former Presbytery and announced that the grounds would be home to the City's first permanent low-barrier shelter. Construction will occur in a phased approach, with an estimated operational date of October 2024. Until then, Open Doors continues a rotating model in partnership with the faith community and community at-large through the thermal season, but anticipates operating the permanent low-barrier shelter when the project is completed.
OUR MISSION
To provide shelter, compassionate support and access to services for those who are experiencing homelessness in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to successfully operate a permanent year-around shelter by 2024 in partnership with the City of Harrisonburg, and with the support of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community.
Dignity: We are all human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity.
Integrity: Integrity is the foundation by which we act, provide services, and engage our community. Compassion: Compassion guides our interactions and services within our community.
Advocacy: We commit to fiercely advocating for those experiencing homelessness in our community.
Kindness: We build trust when we treat everyone with kindness.
OUR VALUES
OUR HISTORY
November
November
HARTS became Open Doors.
2013
August
We began renting the former Red Front building to continue to provide shelter services in response to COVID.
2020
July
We partnered with JMU to utilize D-hub until August to continue shelter services.
2022
November
We began operating under a mobile model for the thermal shelter services after closing our COIVD response shelter.
2022
October
Submitted RFP to operate the Harrisonburg City-led project “Homeless Services Center.” See the City of Harrisonburg’s website for more information on this project.
2023
2007
Thermal shelter services began operating under the name HARTS (Harrisonburg and Rockingham Thermal Shelter). We began utilizing a mobile model for services.
April - June
2020
Opened shelter at Godwin Hall in response to COVID (partnership with JMU).
We offered quarantine spaces for the those who were experiencing homelessness and COVID positive.
May
2022
Our rental agreement with Red Front ended and we began to seek other partnerships to continue shelter services.
2022
October
First resource coordination program begins.
May
2023
First summer outreach services begin. We provide a meal every Sunday and distribute basic toiletries and snacks to those experiencing homelessness and other low-income individuals.
Additionally, our Resource Coordinator continues resource coordination and outreach services at various locations throughout the week.
October
2024
The shelter portion of the City led project “Homeless Services Center” projected to be open. See the City of Harrisonburg’s website for more information on this project.