Frequently Asked Questions

What does Open Doors do?

We help families and singles move from crisis to stability.

How long has Open Doors existed?

We were founded in 1970.

How does Open Doors help people in crisis?

We provide safe homes and personal support for stability and success.

How many properties does Open Doors have?

• 22 buildings
• 96 rental units
• 2 shelters

How long do people stay in Open Doors’ rental housing?

The median stay is 14 months. 40% of our households have been with us less than a year.

Do Open Doors’ residents work?

Yes. 80% of our households have at least one family member who is employed. The rest are persons with disabilities, retired senior citizens, or children.

Where does Open Doors’ funding come from?

Our funding typically comes from:

• Individual donors: 36%
• Rent from residents: 35%
• Foundations, churches, businesses 25%
• United Way 3%
• Government grants 1%

What portion of Open Doors’ funding helps people who need housing?

82% goes directly to help people who need housing. 12% is spent on administrative support for our work. 6% is spent on fundraising, most of it on the costs associated with our two fundraising events each year: Discover Open Doors and Bountiful Breakfast.

How big is Open Doors’ staff?

We have 19 people on our staff. Eight are full-time.

How long do homeless young adults stay in the Open Door and Next Door shelters?

The average guest at the Open Door and Next Door stays 60 days.

How many shelter guests have jobs when they leave Open Doors’ shelter program?

Two-thirds (67%).

What is the current need for Open Doors’ programs?

The need is huge. Last year, for example, 1,290 students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade in our county were identified as homeless.

Why don’t people who need homes get help through a government program?

Because of inadequate funding, government affordable housing programs for low-income people serve only 23% of eligible participants.

What is the role of religious faith at Open Doors?

We are not formally connected to any church, but our roots are in Christian faith. Our founders and many of our current staff and board members became committed to serving all people because our faith communities taught us that all people matter.

Does Open Doors welcome people of other religions or people who have no religious faith?

Yes. Our commitment is to serve people in need, lovingly, regardless of their religious faith or spiritual beliefs. We also welcome all people to join us in serving others.

Does Open Doors welcome people who are a part of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and pansexual community?

Yes. Our commitment is to serve all people. We adopted our first nondiscrimination policy declaring our welcome to LGBT persons in 1992.

What are the greatest needs that Open Doors has?

We need two things above all:

1. Funds to provide support services for the residents in our rental housing and our two shelters.
2. Funds to purchase additional rental housing.

We always need and welcome help in making contact with people who are energized by our mission to help people in crisis move into stability and success.

How can I learn more about Open Doors?

Contact our Development Director Stacy Vest at svest@odkzoo.com or 269-205-3285. Join us at Discover Open Doors, our annual spring luncheon.

How can I give to help local children and adults who are in housing crisis?

• You can click the Donate Now button on our website and make a one-time or recurring gift using your credit card.
• You can mail a check to: Open Doors, 1141 S. Rose Street, Suite B, Kalamazoo, MI  49001.
• You can call our office at 269-205-3285 to donate by credit card.

Can I give to the Open Doors endowment fund?

Yes, the Open Doors Kalamazoo Endowment Fund is held at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Donations to our endowment can be sent directly to the foundation at:

Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 402 East Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

To discuss giving opportunities with the foundation call 269-381-4416.

How can I make arrangements to put Open Doors in my estate plan?

Please contact Stacy Vest, Development Director, at 269-205-3285 or svest@odkzoo.com.

How can I volunteer?

Call us at 269-343-6064 to sign up for notification of volunteer opportunities. Our primary volunteer options are:

• Discover Open Doors: serve as a table host and recruit 9 people to join you at your table.
• Community Dinners: provide a meal for 30-40 people at our monthly community dinners.

Does Open Doors accept used furniture or household goods?

No. We are generally not able to accept used furniture or household goods. Good places to take used furniture are:

• Kalamazoo Deacons Conference, 1010 N. Westnedge Ave, 269-344-7333.
• NuWay Thrift Store, 211 E. Cork St, 269-343-7108
• Goodwill Industries, 5609 W. Main St, 269-372-6127

Does Open Doors accept used cars?

Yes. We accept used cars that are in good shape. We donate them directly to residents who need cars. If you are interested in giving a used car for our residents please contact Stacy Vest at 269-205-3285 or svest@odkzoo.com.

If someone needs help from Open Doors what should they do?

Homeless people identifying as men, ages 18-35,  who are willing and able to work, should call the Open Door shelter for men at 345-1431 between 3 pm and 10 pm, 7 days a week.

Homeless people identifying as women, ages 18-35, who are willing and able to work, should call the Next Door shelter for women at 349-2119 between 3 pm and 10 pm, 7 days a week.

People who are employed but earning low wages, and who need a home, should call the Residence Community for Working People at 366-4161 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

What groups or agencies do we partner with to help people who need homes?

We support efforts to create more affordable housing in Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan, and the US. We work in partnership with the Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission, Michigan United, ISAAC, and others to encourage the creation of more affordable housing. We also work with the National Low-Income Housing Coalition which produces excellent information about the need for affordable housing and which has led the effort to establish and fund a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create affordable housing for extremely low-income people like those we serve here in Kalamazoo.

Who is on our Board of Directors?

Our board is made up of participants in our programs plus other residents in the community. Please click here for a list of the community leaders who serve as our Board of Directors.

How do rents at Open Doors compare to Fair Market Rents in the community?