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Welcome to our new Executive Director, Tracie Ball
The Open Door Children's Home of Rome, Georgia is pleased to announce that Tracie
Ball has been named the new Executive Director of the Open Door Home, effective
November 18, 2019. 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..
Tracie graduated from Shorter College with a Master of Arts degree in Psychology.
Tracie has twenty-seven years working in social services, Tracie has worked with a
variety of populations in and arond Floyd County. She has experience managing teams,
working with community partners, and managing grants and large operating budgets.
We believe with Tracie's keen understanding of the Family First Act she is ready to
begin preparing the Open Door Home for the implications of this new policy.
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.
Tracie resides in Rome with her husband and has 2 daughters.
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.
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman — Jennifer Nichols
Vice-Chairman — Cassandra Wheeler
Past Chairman — Vicki Knight
Treasurer — Rhonda Wallace
Secretary — Virginia "Jinks" Latham
Executive Director — Tracie Ball
Cameron Abney
Miranda Bagley
Ali Booker
Brenda Bowen
Harry Brock
Blake Cescutti
Amy Cox
Lenora McEntire Doss
David Early
Sam Echols
Jill Fisher
Ali Freeman
Ashley Hamby |
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Mary Helen Heaner
Lindsey Howerton
Lint Johnson
Deanna Marsh
Sarah McElrath
Marie Pieri
Dr. Sonbol Shahid-Salles
Molly Kelly Steeves |
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Stephanie Stevens
Sundai Stevenson
Melinda Strickland
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