Open Door benefits from Community Needs Grant

Open Door has received a Community Needs Grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation to purchase a new commercial grade washer and dryer for use at the Open Door group home, Birch House.

This grant makes an immediate impact on Open Door by allowing staff to do a high volume of laundry quickly. “These new machines are fantastic,” said Mary Thumond, Open Door Support Aide. “They are super-efficient and low enough that individuals who use wheelchairs can take clothes out of the machines.” Staff estimate doing 8-10 loads of laundry per day, so these new machines are extremely important in making this home run smoothly.

Through the Community Needs Grant program, the Community Foundation supports the charitable needs and efforts of nonprofits organizations in DeKalb County. To date, over $31 million has been awarded to the community through grants and distributions since the Foundation was founded in 1993.

Open Door provides services and programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating two day workshops and nine group homes all within the community of Sandwich. For more information, visit odrc.org.