About Us
Photo by Randi B. Hagi, WMRA
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 for all. Since 2007, we have served the community diligently and we are collectively expanding our impact through the 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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Dr. Nate Riddle
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
2024
2025
December
The Navigation Center is officially open and running as of December 23rd 2024.
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The Navigation Center will serve as Harrisonburg and Rockingham County's only low-barrier shelter, offering not just a safe space to stay but also resource coordination, dinner, and a welcoming drop-in center for all in need, housed and unhoused.
January
The daytime Drop In Center will be open starting January 6th of 2025.