Open House Ministries
900 W. 12th St. Vancouver, WA 98660
Ph: 360-737-0300 | eFax: 360-283-0882

News & Views |

Open House Has A New Executive Director

VANCOUVER, Washington – Open House Ministries announced today the appointment of Renee Stevens to the position of Executive Director, effective immediately.-

As Senior Case Manager, Stevens brings 12 years of social service management and homeless provider network experience. Board Chairman Dick James says, “Renee brings a depth and understanding of the social service needs for the population we serve and years of working with our strategic partners in Southwest Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. She has personally been responsible for forging and strengthening key alliances. Renee is a strong leader internally, in Vancouver and in the region. She is passionate about finding solutions for homeless families.”

See the Columbian article about Renee’s story

The announcement comes as a result of former Director Wayne Garlington’s decision twelve months ago of plans to retire in early 2017. In light of the news, the Board of Directors formulated a transition plan which included an external and internal search for a new Executive Director. Effective immediately Garlington is stepping aside to assume the position as Project Manager for the organization’s Multi-Purpose Building Project while remaining available to assist Renee in the transition. Garlington joined the Open House Board of Directors in 2003 and has served as Executive Director since 2012.

“Working with Renee for the last dozen years has given me an appreciation for the unique talents she brings to Open House,” says Garlington. “She has been at the core of our programs, remaining true to our mission while always looking ahead. Renee continues to be a visionary and champion for the needs of homeless mothers, fathers and children. She is an inspiration to residents and staff alike.”

“I am looking forward to continuing to serve our homeless families and our amazing partner organizations in this new capacity,” remarks Stevens. “I am dedicated to this work because it provides vital services and hope for a new life to the homeless. I have seen the Open House Ministries experience change lives and help people start over who otherwise would not have had a chance. I am honored and blessed to be given this opportunity to serve.”

Founded in 1986, Open House Ministries is a faith based community organization, helping homeless families by providing shelter, intervention, and Christ-based, life-saving programs.

News & Views |

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Open House Ministries is in immediate need of volunteers for …

Our after-school program needs some caring volunteers to work with our young shelter residents. We also have current maintenance and reception needs, and we are looking for experienced bike mechanics who can help at Wheel Deals, our on-campus bike shop. 

Other opportunities include the following.

Development (six-month commitment)

  • Bulk mailing

Child care

  • Volunteer hosts are needed for occasional class parties.
  • Teach a weekly morning class in art, music or dance/movement, read a book to our young residents or host a craft.

Maintenance

  • Various skills are welcomed for campus maintenance needs, and a regular schedule or occasional help is available.

Reception 

  • Reception volunteers are needed all week long. 

Secondhand Solutions, our on-campus thrift shop

  • Pickup-up and delivery volunteer

Wheel Deals, our on-campus bike shop

  • Front-counter sales clerks and bicycle mechanics are always wanted. (Training is available with a volunteer commitment.)

To volunteer for one of these opportunities, please click on one of the volunteer application links below.

Individual-volunteer application
Group-volunteer application

News & Views |

Just One More Night…


We were blessed by a huge outpouring of generosity during Give More 24!. In total, we received $17,281 during the online event alone, and more “at the door”, to provide a total of 943 more “bednights” of shelter for our kids at the shelter this fall! Bless all who helped make it so! Tune in again next year!

It is tough duty keeping a homeless shelter open and running 24 hours every day, 365 days every year. We do it because homelessness doesn’t happen Monday-Friday from 8 to 5pm.  Fact is, the ones hardest hit are the kids.  Their lives don’t stop when the rest of the world checks out for the evening, or for the weekend.  In fact, that is when the story can get ugly.

unnamedImagine being a toddler sleeping in a car with your mother and four other people, or surviving night-to-night in a cheap hotel surrounded by prostitution and drugs, or sleeping under a tarp under one of the interstate bridges.   To most adults, 24 hours is just another day.  To a homeless child, one night can seem like an eternity.

Every time that we are able to give a homeless person safe refuge for 24 hours, we call it a “bed-night”. Did you know that the largest percentage of bed-nights at Open House Ministries, by far, is to children under 17 years of age? For them, your gift is a warm, safe bed and a place to call home.  For their families, it is a ticket on the day-by-day journey, stepping out of their past, rebuilding their lives, and breaking the bonds of homelessness.

On Thursday September 22, 2016, during Southwest Washington’s “Give More 24!” day of online giving, every gift of $19 provides a child another 24 hour bed-night in our family shelter. In his or her own bed. Safe. Out of the cold. A chance for a better future.  To participate in this year’s “Give More 24!” on Thursday, September 22, 2016, go to https://give-more-24.org/designee/open-house-ministries . Or give online any time at www.sheltered.org.  The kids will thank you for the rest of their lives.

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