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.

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.

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman — Kyle A. Carney, DMD
Vice-Chairman — Tashia Twyman
Treasurer — Rhonda Wallace
Secretary — April Kipp

Pat Bagby Reba Barnes Bob Berry Reed Biggers Danny Bollen Brenda Bowen Brooke Brinson Harry Brock Lindsey Cordell Dr. Anne Cowan Tony Daniel, PhD Laura Davis

Kevin Dillmon Sam Echols Ashley Ellington D. Wayne Evans Vickie Knight Sylvia Lanier Kelley Ledbetter Patti Ledbetter Lowery May Dr. Bob Norton Randy Quick Wayne Robinson

Rachel Rogers Tom Sabourin Jennifer Scott Elaine Snow Sundai Stevenson Lisa Stuenkel Chad Taylor Terri Watters Kay Ann Wetherington Ann White Gardner Williams Delos Yancey

2012 ADVISORY BOARD

David Doss Kelly Hudson Tim Mahaney Sam Shapard Howard Smith

Mimi Weed Kathleen Smithson Jo Stegall Keith Winslette