MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Open Door Health Services is entering a new chapter under Executive Director Lee Keele, while continuing its longstanding mission of providing free services and support to individuals and families in Hutchinson and surrounding communities.
While Keele is new to the executive director’s position, his connection to Open Door goes back years. He has lived in Hutchinson since 2007 and has served the organization in several capacities, including as a board member, volunteer and part-time staff member. His wife, Ginger, also previously worked for the organization.
“We’ve had a heart for this ministry for a long time,” Keele said. “We’ve just enjoyed participating, getting to know the folks.”
Keele said the leadership transition comes as Open Door also welcomes several new faces to its staff.
Services Go Beyond Pregnancy Testing
Mindy Winchester said Open Door provides a broad range of free and confidential services, including pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, pregnancy options information, parenting education, support for fathers, sexual health education, referrals and abortion recovery support.
“Really, our goal is to meet people where they are and walk alongside them,” Winchester said.
Keele said the organization has evolved beyond what may once have been viewed primarily as a crisis pregnancy ministry. While Open Door remains a faith-based organization, its services are also available to people with planned pregnancies and those seeking information about sexual health.
“It’s not just about those surprise moments,” Keele said. “It can be a planned situation as well.”
The organization also works with fathers, including first-time dads, to help prepare them for parenthood. Keele said Open Door is working to strengthen its mentoring program for men, providing curriculum and guidance on supporting their partners and children.
Keele said one of Open Door’s primary messages to young parents is that they do not have to face difficult circumstances by themselves.
“They’re not alone. They don’t have to go through it alone,” Keele said.
Open Door provides spiritual, social and material support, including items such as formula, diapers and baby clothing.
Mobile Outreach Focuses on College Campuses
Open Door is also preparing to expand its outreach through its mobile unit.
Allison Reed said the organization has previously taken the mobile unit to Hutchinson Community College and has conducted outreach in McPherson and Pratt. As Open Door has increased its medical services, officials have begun focusing more of the mobile unit’s efforts on college campuses.
“We wanted our mobile not just to serve underprivileged areas, but also to be an outreach to our college campuses,” Reed said.
The organization is currently hiring a campus outreach coordinator and has not yet returned to the HutchCC campus this semester. Reed said Open Door has developed a strong relationship with college staff and hopes to resume that partnership soon.
Keele said high school and college students are also important audiences for Open Door’s prevention and educational efforts. The organization has previously worked with schools using curriculum designed to teach students about sexual health and healthy decision-making.
Parenting Classes Help Families Reunite
Another program offered by Open Door is Parenting 101, a free six-week course.
Reed said the two-hour Thursday evening classes are primarily geared toward parents whose children have been removed from their homes and who are working toward reunification. Many participants attend as part of a court order.
The program combines instruction with fellowship, including home-cooked meals provided to participants.
“We have fantastic instructors,” Reed said. “It’s mostly geared towards couples or individuals that have had children removed from the home, and they want to get the children back.”
Participants in the program will share their experiences during Open Door’s upcoming fundraising banquet.
“We have attendees of those classes giving their testimony of how those classes and how Open Door helped them through a rough time in their life,” Reed said.
Annual Banquet Set for Oct. 8
Open Door’s annual fundraising banquet is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Keele said the event provides a significant portion of Open Door’s annual funding.
“A large portion of our annual budget comes from this particular banquet,” he said.
The move to the 1861 Club means attendance will be limited to 350 people. At the time of the interview, Reed said the event was about one-third full. Registration is available through Open Door’s donor website, OpenDoorFriends.com.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Dave Atherton, a former CrossPoint Church youth pastor in Hutchinson who now serves as lead pastor at One Church at Pleasant View in Derby. Reed said Atherton and his wife will share their personal story and testimony during the banquet.
Community Support Keeps Services Free
Reed said Open Door relies heavily on community support to keep its programs free. People can contribute financially, become monthly donors, respond to the organization’s Wish List Wednesday requests or volunteer.
Volunteer opportunities range from organizing donated supplies in the organization’s boutique to serving as client advocates or preparing meals for Parenting 101 participants.
Those needing Open Door’s services can visit the center at 315 W. First Ave. in Hutchinson, call or text 620-728-2229 or make an appointment through OpenDoorHealthServices.com.
Keele said community members can also support the organization in a way that does not cost anything.
“One last plug for support is something anyone can do right now as they’re listening: throw up a prayer,” Keele said. “We always appreciate anyone who would pray on behalf of the ministry.”