Love Makes Good Work Happen

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3 Reasons to

LOVE

Open Door Shelter

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Food and Safety

Open Door Shelter is a place where you can always get a hot meal or boxed food and shelter. Last year we fed more than 1300 people and provided over 30,000 bed nights for those in need. The shelter team takes pride in not only caring for others, but making sure we meet the highest standards as a shelter. For another consecutive year, Open Door Shelter has passed inspections, and received Norwalk Health Department's Top Lighthouse Rating. Recipients of this award annually meet public health code safety and sanitary guidelines. We are proud to serve our clients in a clean and safe environment to make them feel welcome and at home.

Homeless Outreach

While you may be aware of our services at the shelter, many don't know about our homeless outreach services. Every week we receive phone calls from someone concerned that there is someone living outside, with no home

to call their own or in conditions that are not habitable. Our case managers are trained in homeless outreach and go to find these individuals to learn about their unique situation and how we can get them off the street and into a warm bed and the help they need to get back on their feet.

Opportunity to Learn

As we address the issues that cause homelessness and poverty, Open Door Shelter works with everyone to make sure they have a plan for the future. From classes like English as a Second Language and one on one reading classes at the library our adults gain skills that will help them find and keep jobs. Our children get support to succeed in school through our After School Buddies Program, which assists children in their academic achievement. Those under five are taking part in our new pre-school education partnership to make sure they and their parents are reading and and ready for school. We work on learning from basics to job skills so that every client has a plan get back on track.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support.

This month share your love of communities that care.

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Thank you to Mayor Rilling of Norwalk and all those who attended the 2016 Annual Mayor's Ball.

Open Door Shelter was honored to be selected as a recipient of the fund raised along with Human Services Council. We look forward to sharing the exciting announcement on social media of the support that this event will provide to help address the causes and effects of poverty and homelessness.

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