54 Lives Changed Daily: Opening Doors to Hope in High Point 

HIGH POINT, NC -- Each summer, ODM hosts a donor and volunteer appreciation event to express gratitude to the individuals, businesses, and community partners who help sustain the organization’s mission and essential services. This year’s theme “Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds” led the event to a more interactive approach. Upon arrival, attendees were randomly assigned an “ODM guest” and invited to navigate a mini simulation based on real stories experienced by neighbors in the High Point community. 

“It takes approximately $274 to run Open Door Ministries for one hour. As a 24/7 facility, each day costs $6,576.” These are the numbers that Open Door Ministries’ Executive Director Ryan Ross and Director of Development Dynasty Rui announced at this year’s Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Party on May 13^th. 

$274 means one hour where things happen: cooking and prepping food, providing case management for shelter guests, keeping the lights on, keeping the A/C unit running, providing rental or utility payments...  

$6,576 means a day of service: operating 7 programs daily, and providing safe shelter and transitional housing, 365 days a year... 

Over the course of one week, that cost grows to $46,032. Over a year, it exceeds $2.4 million for ODM to continue providing services at a bare minimum to the 18.4% of High Point residents who utilize one or more of our services. 

Behind every number is a person. 

On average, 54 lives are touched each day through Open Door Ministries’ services. To visually represent that impact, 54 beads were dropped into a glass jar during the evening's program; 54 distinct clinks echoed throughout the room - each one symbolizing a life changed. 

These beads were made even more real by as event attendees followed the simulated journeys of “Jake, Catalina, Nyla, Mia, Ty,” and “Fred.” While the provided identities were fictional, each persona was inspired by real ODM guest stories. 

“As you open each orange door today, remember that Jake, Catalina, Nyla, Mia, Ty, and Fred are not merely themselves; they are our neighbors, our family, and our friends thriving for a second chance amidst adversity; they are an epitome of the 18.4% High Point residents, whose lives are changed because of Open Door, because of donors & volunteers like you.” said Dynasty in her welcome speech. 

“I loved going through the simulation,” shared Barb, an ODM donor who attended the event. “It’s heartbreaking that these are real situations people face, but it gave us a meaningful glimpse into why Open Door Ministries is needed in our community.” Barb had been assigned “Fred,” an ODM guest navigating homelessness after the loss of his wife. 

This year's appreciation was made possible by the generosity of the Open Door Ministries’ Board of Director, and several businesses and individuals in our community: Bistro 1605 (Alexandria’s Bistro and Catering), RH Barringer Distributing, Brewer's Kettle Kernersville, Proper Pour Events, William Nesmith Music, The Southern Smoke Shack, Knightly Roses, and the volunteer photographer who chose to remain anonymous. 

Their generosity created an opportunity for our community to gather, reflect, connect, and share meaningful stories of hope and resilience together. 

Open Door Ministries remain grateful to every donor, volunteer, advocate, and community partner who are blessing us with their support, As the need for services continues to rise across the community, ODM is committed to keeping our doors open, and providing food, housing, healing, and hope for our neighbors who are seeking a path forward.  

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Open Door Ministries of High Point, Inc, is a nonprofit organization providing services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and financial crisis. ODM works to provide immediate crisis relief while helping neighbors move toward long-term stability by operating multiple programs: Father's Table Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry, Emergency Assistance, Men's Shelter, Arthur Cassell Transitional Housing for Veterans, Community Clothing Closet, and Human Trafficking Resource Center. Our mission is " to serve, empower, and minister to guests in order to prevent and end hunger and homelessness through advocacy, education, housing, and coordination of services".