Opening Doors to Hope: Open Door Ministries
When it comes to addressing critical community needs, few needs stand out as profoundly as the need for stable, sustainable housing. In 2024, it was estimated that nearly 1,000 people in Guilford County were experiencing homelessness. Without access to stable living environments, a myriad of other critical community needs arise: hunger, poverty, addiction, increased crime, and more.
That’s why Open Door Ministries stands as more than simply a place of shelter for those experiencing homeless in High Point; they strategically serve all the needs our community members experiencing homelessness face. They operate a men’s housing shelter, The Father’s Table soup kitchen, a food pantry, emergency financial assistance, permanent supportive housing for individuals with disabilities, and the Arthur Cassell Transitional Housing Program for veterans.
Each of these services meets a very real and growing need in our community. Though its soup kitchen was built to serve around 50 meals a day, The Father’s Table now serves over 12,000 meals each month. The emergency shelter—designed to house 12 to 15 men—currently takes in around 45 individuals each night.
“We’re operating out of a facility that was not made to house what we're trying to do,” shares Orel Henry, Director of Operations. “But we cannot turn people away.”
These individuals are not simply facing an issue of homelessness. Often, they are also experiencing other complex problems, like language barriers, substance abuse, mental health challenges, medical emergencies, financial debt, job loss, difficulty accessing veterans' benefits, and a lack of familial support. Many of those who access the services of Open Door are veterans, seniors, or people with disabilities.
“When I came to work for Open Door in 2020, I had the same perception that I think a lot of people have about homelessness—that it’s from addiction or people have just made bad decisions,” says Ryan Ross, Executive Director of Open Door. “I was very wrong. There are a lot of people out there who have just had bad situations, bad circumstances. You just hear some heartbreaking stories.”
Ross and his team work with compassion and determination, often filling the gap left by a lack of family support or institutional safety nets.
“A lot of times we take for granted our support system of family and friends,” he explains. “Unfortunately, a lot of people just get left behind. That’s where Open Door can really step in and give people a second chance.”
That second chance looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s a warm meal or a place to sleep. Other times, it’s financial assistance to keep the power on or secure a new apartment. It might be a ride to a job interview, a case manager helping a client access healthcare, or simply someone listening with empathy.
“We can talk about the 7,200 meals, and the housing, and the thousand people a year,” says Ross. “We can talk about numbers, but when you help actual people get a job, get an apartment, or reconnect with family that maybe they haven't seen in a long time—that's success.”
The growing needs combined with the Open Door philosophy of never turning someone away is precisely why Open Door’s Board of Directors has announced a bold vision to create a new campus to better serve our community. This new space is planned to house separate men’s and women’s overnight shelters, alongside a new care center that will provide needed services during the day and step-up housing to prepare people for independent living. This supportive environment would offer a place for individuals experiencing homelessness to be during the day, while also centralizing services including medical, legal, addiction support, food, laundry, and hygiene.
The Congdon Foundation chose to support Open Door Ministries not only because the need is critical and immediate, but because the organization has proven itself to be a trusted and effective community partner. Despite being under-resourced and operating out of aging facilities, Open Door continues to meet the moment with vision, hope, and determination. They, like our mission states, continue to remove barriers that prevent access to real opportunity.
This agile, responsive, and people-centered approach reflects the Congdon Foundation’s belief that meaningful impact happens when solutions are rooted in local knowledge and deep community care.
The solution to this complex problem is not just about providing temporary relief. Open Door’s programs are designed to offer lasting transformation—empowering individuals to move from crisis to stability and eventually toward independence. Veterans regain their footing. Families stay housed. Individuals with disabilities receive long-term support. The Foundation is proud to stand alongside Open Door Ministries, opening the door to opportunity, dignity, and hope for all.
Read more about Community Needs Grantees
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 16:17
"When you’re helped out,
it inspires you to help others."
EMILY CAROTHERS, Earl and Kitty Congdon Old Dominion Freight Line Scholarship Recipient
"Compassion is taking action. It’s not being satisfied with the status quo."
Carl Vierling, Greater High Point Food Alliance
Executive Director
"We’re creating our own ecosystem that is poised to turn our home into the “high point” of our state once more."
Rachel Collins, Business High Point
CEO
"Our board is deeply involved in High Point. Their commitment to the city is evident in their desire for the foundation to form real partnerships with our grant recipients, so that we can support them to grow their impact."
Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser,
Chief Impact Officer