is an annual celebration in Des Moines, Iowa. We acknowledge the difficult journey from homelessness to housing stability. For many years we held a banquet and awards ceremony featuring winners, in several categories.
We want to celebrate the people involved, in every aspect of that journey. We are raising money with the sale of doors, donations, and sponsors to contribute to the Dean Wright fund. Funds are used to pay for needs related to housing assistance which do not qualify for existing funding.
Christal Wilson-Ashby, Marshall Callahan, Desiree Adams, and Ranae Noble
The R. Dean Wright fund receives all proceeds from the celebration and any donations. Funds are used to pay for needs related to housing assistance which do not qualify for existing funding.
The R. Dean Wright fund receives all proceeds from the celebration and any donations. Funds are used to pay for needs related to housing assistance which do not qualify for existing funding.
It was the philosophy of R. Dean Wright that people don't run out of chances. In his years teaching at Drake University and serving many appointments and volunteer positions across the community, he always kept the needs of the most vulnerable in mind and taught that no matter what society may think of a person, that person still deserves the dignity of a home.
the Professor R. Dean Wright Fund was established to support needs not covered by other programs, and it has grown through the sale of doors created by local artists, by donations, and by luncheon sponsors. With these funds Opening Doors has been able to provide a small ($200) award to each recipient. Each agency that mentored and nominated the awardees will be given $500 to support their efforts in areas for which funds are difficult to obtain – for instance providing bus tokens to get to work or school. Opening Doors last year, responding to a need articulated by caseworkers, was able to provide 13 mattresses, box springs, bedframes and bedding to be distributed to individuals as they moved into stable housing. During 2017 we hope to provide another 20 bed sets.
Susan E. Wright and Ehren Dean Wright serve on the opening doors planning committee.
Every year doors are added. Some doors are painted by staff who work with people experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by children experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by passionate individuals who see the value of celebrating stability in the lives of people who have struggled to find it.
Every year some of the doors are auctioned at the celebration. Funds go to the R. Dean Wright fund.
If your organization would like to display a door, along with a placard describing the event and the fund, contact us.
Every year doors are added. Some doors are painted by staff who work with people experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by children experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by passionate individuals who see the value of celebrating stability in the lives of people who have struggled to find it.
Every year some of the doors are auctioned at the celebration. Funds go to the R. Dean Wright fund.
If your organization would like to display a door, along with a placard describing the event and the fund, contact us.