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Welcome to our new Executive Director, Lynn Rousseau
The Open Door Children's Home of Rome, Georgia is pleased to announce that Lynn
Rousseau has been named the new Executive Director of the Open Door Home, effective
February 6, 2017. In her role as Executive Director, she will be responsible for
the overall operations of the Open Door Home for Girls and the Open Door Home for
Boys. She will develop and implement short and long range goals and be responsible
for the fiscal management of both facilities, ensure and maintain compliance with
local, state, federal and all other regulations and legal requirements and carry
out policies and decisions of the Board of Directors, etc..
Lynn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berry College with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Psychology. "We are so excited to have Lynn as the new Executive Director of
the Open Door Home. Her experience and knowledge of the non profit industry make
her a perfect fit for the Open Door Home. The Open Door Home Board of Directors
welcomes her back to Rome and to the Open Door Home as our new Executive Director,"
states Brenda Bowen, past interim President and Chair of the Open Door Home Board.
From the 1940s, the facility was limited and equipped to care for only girls and
young boys. This remained the case for over sixty years until Mrs. Louise Hunt,
a Board member of the Open Door Home, and her husband Elwood approached a juvenile
court judge in 2000 about opening a boys home in Rome that would address the critical
need of placement and care for teenage boys. After winning the approval of the Board
to proceed with the project, the Open Door Home was awarded a Development Block
Grant to help build the facility. The home was appropriately named the Louise Hunt
Home for Boys.
Lynn resides in Rome and has a daughter and granddaughter who live in Acworth and
parents who also reside in Rome.
The Open Door Children's Home (ODCH) is stronger than ever, fulfilling its mission
as a charitable and non-profit organization that provides a safe, warm and loving
environment for the children of our community who have been neglected, abandoned
and abused. Our residential facilities provide emergency and extended care to children
who need care outside of their natural home. ODCH strives to help each child reach
his or her potential with guidance and support they need to live healthier, happier
and more productive lives.
HISTORY
The Open Door Home for Needy Children began in 1927 as a temporary home
to help the children and families of men who were in the county jail for selling
alcohol during prohibition.
In 1929, the home was reorganized for permanency with a broader scope and mission
and moved into a larger home on West 7th Street. In 1936, the present facility (now
the Girls Home) in West Rome was made possible by Floyd County, the City of Rome
and the Federal Government.
From the 1940s, the facility was limited and equipped to care for only girls and
young boys. This remained the case for over sixty years until Mrs. Louise Hunt,
a Board member of the Open Door Home, and her husband Elwood approached a juvenile
court judge in 2000 about opening a boys home in Rome that would address the critical
need of placement and care for teenage boys. After winning the approval of the Board
to proceed with the project, the Open Door Home was awarded a Development Block
Grant to help build the facility. The home was appropriately named the Louise Hunt
Home for Boys.
Today, because of the benevolence, vision and determined efforts of its supporters,
ODCH now has two campuses to serve the needs of both boys and girls. Although there
have been many changes in the eighty year history of the home, the mission and purpose
has always remained the same — to provide care and nurturing for children
in need.
2018-2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman — Amy Cox
Vice-Chairman — Harry Brock
Past Chairman — Brenda Bowen
Treasurer — Rhonda Wallace
Secretary — April Kipp
Executive Director — Lynn Rousseau
Amanda Adams
Phil Amico
Brent Beard
Ali Booker
Brooke Brinson
Sam Echols
Jill Fisher
Mary Helen Heaner
Lindsay Howerton
Lint Johnson |
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Vickie Knight
Virginia "Jinx" Latham
Deanna Marsh
Lowery May
Jane McDonald
Lenora McEntire
Dr. Bob Norton
Tom Sabourin |
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Molly Steeves
Stephanie Stevens
Sundai Stevenson
Melinda Strickland
Chad Taylor
Terri Watters
Cassandra Wheeler |
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