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About Us

History

Note from Nate

Friend, thank you for your interest in Open Doors, the area's trusted provider of low-barrier shelter for the unhoused and support services. Since 2007, we have served the community diligently and we look forward to extending our impact with you, as we quickly journey toward the opening of The Navigation Center in Harrisonburg

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You will find that we provide holistic services that are driven by our low-barrier philosophy, which simply means we do so without judgment or a high level of eligibility requirements. This often means we are literally the only service provider for many in our community facing homelessness and hardship.

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I encourage you to view our services, your mighty impact, and to continue joining us as we extend hope and kindness to all. I am abundantly thankful for your support. 

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- Nate R., Executive Director 

Our Mission

To provide safe shelter for the unhoused, as well as compassionate support and access to services for all in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community. 

5 Core Values

1

Dignity 

We are all human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity. 

2

Integrity 

Integrity is the foundation by which we act, provide services, and engage our community.

3

Compassion

Compassion guides our interactions and services within our community. 

4

Advocacy

We commit to passionately

 advocating for those experiencing homelessness in our community. 

5

Kindness

We build trust when we treat everyone with kindness. 

OUR HISTORY

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 “The Navigation Center.” See the City of Harrisonburg’s website for more information on this project.

2023

November

"The Navigation Center" projected to be open. See the project page

2024

November

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 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.

February

2024

City of Harrisonburg selected Open Doors as the future operator of the "The Navigation Center" - a permeant low-barrier shelter and daytime drop in center

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