News

Open Doors Presents at LISC CT Financial Opportunity Center open house
On May 17th, 2022, LISC was joined by over 70 community partners at the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) Network 2nd Annual Virtual Open House. LISC presenters included Michele Conderino, Executive Director and Eddy Agyeman, Financial Coach & Digital Literacy from Open Doors. Michele Conderino, Executive Director at Open Doors, highlighted the impact of the pandemic on


Students aim to feed thousands through New Canaan food drive
High school-aged students held a food drive Sunday in New Canaan to feed thousands of people in need across Fairfield County. The group Feeding 500 held the drive at Walter Stewart’s Market where they collected non-perishable food items for Open Doors, a housing and homeless organization. “We started with the original goal of feeding 500


Evictions could top pre-COVID numbers, hit vulnerable communities hardest
Evictions are devastating, and increasing rents across the state are making it harder for our neighbors to be able to stay in their homes. “Average rents in Connecticut have increased by more than 15% year over year… Meanwhile, more than 50% of renters are cost-burdened, or pay more than 30% of their income on housing costs.” Connecticut


More than a shelter: Open Doors hopes to end homelessness
The cost of living, particularly in Fairfield County is increasing at a significant rate and debt can quickly snowball if you’re unprepared. “Sometimes changes such as divorce, major medical expenses, or the loss of a job can upend your budget and if you don’t have the savings; that’s how it can all start,” says Open


Outreach workers seek out homeless CT residents in annual count
Each year, homeless service providers across the country coordinate a Point In Time (PIT) count. Typically, volunteers go out and survey people experiencing unsheltered homelessness for that one day. However, the methodology had to change due to safety concerns. Outreach case managers Samm Williams and JP Rossi were among the outreach teams and homeless specialists


Saving lives: How emergency shelters plan to keep CT’s homeless out of the cold this winter
Emergency shelters across the state are working together to keep people safe through cold weather and continued health challenges. “Shelter really does truly save lives, particularly in the winter,” said Michele Conderino, the executive director of Open Doors in Norwalk. “It’s such a critical service.” Learn more at: https://www.thehour.com/news/article/Saving-lives-How-emergency-shelters-plan-to-keep-16739330.php