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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.
2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman — Bob Berry
Vice-Chairman — Lowery May
Treasurer — Rhonda Wallace
Secretary — Pat Bagby
Reed Biggers
Danny Bollen
Steve Brewster
Harry Brock
Dr. Kyle Carney
Sherri Cash
Gretchen Corbin
Lindsay Cordell
Laura Davis
Will Enloe
Wayne Evans
Sue Gresham
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Dinky Hanks
Dr. John Head
Gordon Hight
Kelly Hudson
April Kipp
Vickie Knight
Rebecca Koontz
Sylvia Lanier
Kelley Ledbetter
Patti Ledbetter
Lowery May
Bob Norton
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Randy Quick
Charlotte Roberts
Ansley Saville
Jennifer Scott
Ann Sheerin
Elaine Snow
Sundai Stevenson
Tashia Twyman
Terri Watters
Ann White
Gardner Williams
Delos Yancey
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2010 ADVISORY BOARD
David Doss
Tim Mahaney
Sam Shapard
Howard Smith
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Mimi Weed
Kathleen Smithson
Jo Stegall
Keith Winslette
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