Contributor: Jamie Richardson
BBQ dinner, raffle baskets, a silent auction, and 10 rounds of BINGO will benefit local nonprofits.
📅 March 15 from 6–8:30pm
đź“Ť Gathering on Main; Venture Church, 4245 Main Street, Harrisburg, NC 28075
🎟️ Tickets are $30 in advance; limited number at the door for $40
Mark your calendars for March 15th as The Open Door House and First Responders 1st come together for a night of fun, food, and fundraising. The BINGO event promises an evening of excitement with ten rounds of BINGO, a delicious barbecue dinner, raffle baskets, a silent auction featuring gifts from local businesses, and more.
Held at the Gathering on Main in Harrisburg, this family-friendly event is an opportunity to show support for two organizations making a real difference in the community. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30, with a limited number available at the door for $40. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Photo credits: www.firstresponders1st.org
In a world that sometimes seems indifferent to the struggles of its most vulnerable members, there are organizations like The Open Door House and First Responders 1st—dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. With an upcoming BINGO fundraiser event, these two entities are joining forces to raise support and awareness for their vital missions.
Watch the First Responders 1st Video.
The Open Door House Helps Kids Aging Out of Foster Care in Cabarrus County
In 2015, Kathy Lista embarked on a transformative journey that would eventually lead to the creation of The Open Door House. During a work service project in the Villages of Hope in Florida, Kathy discovered the harsh reality of aging out of foster care. God touched her heart, igniting a passion to make a difference. For the next two years, she prayed and sought guidance on her role in this mission. In 2017, she founded The Open Door House as a 501(c)(3) organization, laying the foundation for a remarkable journey.
Photo credits: The Open Door House Facebook
The realities of aging out of foster care:
While foster care strives to provide stable home environments for youth, they are instantly “aged” out of the foster care system when they turn 18. This means if they don’t have a family or support system in place — 1 in 5 instantly become homeless. More than 500 youth age out of the foster care system each year in North Carolina.
The organization’s mission is to provide safe, stable, and supportive housing with wrap-around services to empower young individuals aging out of foster care. Despite juggling a full-time job, Kathy remained steadfast in her commitment to this cause.
In 2019, she connected with Ed Hosack and Pam Smith from CCM, who provided invaluable support and assistance in integrating her into the nonprofit community. The following year, Kathy received a generous gift – a house in downtown Concord. With a heart full of compassion, she meticulously renovated it, turning it into a warm and welcoming home for foster youth.
In August 2021, seven young women found refuge in The Open Door House, where they were embraced with love and provided with the stability they had longed for. Over the next two years, two of these young women successfully graduated from the program, equipped with essential life skills and a renewed sense of hope for the future. However, at the end of 2023, the doors temporarily closed on their initial location. Kathy reflected on the importance of community and the necessity of wraparound services. Valuable lessons were learned, paving the way for a stronger, more impactful program.
Reflecting on her journey, Kathy acknowledges the importance of community and comprehensive support services in empowering foster youth to break free from cycles of abuse, neglect, poverty, and homelessness. With a vision to strengthen the program, Kathy has collaborated with professionals like Natalie Atwell to offer therapy sessions focused on emotional resilience and group coaching. The life skills program will also undergo enhancements, emphasizing the goal of thriving over merely surviving. Kathy firmly believes in the greater “god-given” purpose each individual possesses.
Watch this informative Fireside Chat Video
The Open Door House is in the process of transitioning to a new location, which will feature a campus-style setting. The first residence, set to open in March 2024, will provide space for 2 young adults and a resident support. Additionally, a duplex on the property will house 4 young women and 4 young men on each side, each with resident support. The campus will also include a community room for Life Skills classes for the residents and teens still in foster care, collaborations with organizations, and more, providing a supportive environment for these young adults as they work towards independence.
In partnership with The Open Door House for the upcoming BINGO fundraiser is First Responders 1st, an organization dedicated to providing emotional and spiritual support to those on the front lines. Founded by Lonnie Clouse in 2018, First Responders 1st offers a range of services aimed at bolstering the well-being of first responders, primarily serving Concord and Kannapolis PD, from attending roll calls and providing meals during holidays to offering confidential counseling and referrals for professional therapy.
To learn more about The Open Door House and stay updated on their events, visit their Instagram and Facebook pages or check out their website.
Tickets for the upcoming bingo event on March 15 are available on the First Responders 1st website. Join us for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship as we come together to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Planning to visit? Tell ’em Cabarrus Weekly sent ya!
