Open House Ministries helps families

ESTHER SHORT — A couple of former residents at Open House Ministries were involved in the shelter’s Christmas adoption this year — this time as adopters. The nonprofit shelter for homeless families also recruited personal Santas for families staying at Open House during the holidays. In 1999, Renee Stevens, now executive director at Open House, was a resident at the shelter and experienced the holidays at Open House with her three daughters. “Christmas at Open House Ministries restored my hope in humanity,” Stevens said in a news release. “Knowing that people in our community cared about my family — not even knowing us — made my heart melt.” The shelter always is in need of presents that fit teenagers and young adults.