Our Story

In 2015, our founder, Kathy Lista, participated in a service project for an organization supporting young adults aging out of foster care. She vividly recalls furnishing an apartment for two young women who had recently “aged out.” As a mother of two, she couldn’t stop imagining what her children might have faced without support. That experience changed her life.

With a heavy heart, Kathy began praying and planning. After two years of discernment and preparation, she founded The Open Door House in 2017 and stepped away from her corporate career to answer God’s call in 2018. Today, The Open Door House stands as a beacon of hope for vulnerable young adults, empowering them to break cycles of instability and discover their God-given potential.

Mission

Providing a path of hope for young adults aging out of foster care to realize their God-given potential.

Vision

Our program graduates will be fully equipped to thrive as adults, leading productive and independent lives; reversing the cycles of poverty, abuse, neglect, and homelessness for generations to come.

Our Core Values

At The Open Door House, our work is guided by deeply held values that shape how we serve, lead, and walk alongside young adults aging out of foster care. These core values are more than principles—they are lived out daily in our homes, our relationships, and our commitment to helping each young adult thrive.

Unwavering Faith

We model our Christian faith by meeting and serving people with respect where they are, equipping them for what they need, and where they hope to go.

Safe Community

We are a safe community. For our residents, we are a place to heal and hope for their future. For our team, we are practicing humility, serving, sharing and valuing each other.

Wise Stewardship

We are mindful managers of all our resources, practicing transparency in all we do, from programs to finances, to our policies and procedures.

Collaborative Partnering

We cannot do this alone. Partnering with other ministries, non-profits, agencies, churches, and businesses, maximizes our impact on those we serve and on each other.

Forward Thinking

We are always learning, encouraging new ideas, methods, programs, and services to be the best we can be for our residents, our team, and our ministry.

Meet Our Team

Our team is made up of compassionate, dedicated individuals who work together each day to care for and support our residents. Through collaboration, consistency, and genuine relationships, they create a safe and encouraging environment where young adults feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Get to know our team more by clicking the link below to watch a short video.

Get to know our team!

Founding Executive Director

Kathy Lista

Program Director

Symone' Thompson

Program Coach

Angie Caldwell

Mentor Coordinator

Janice DiGiacomo

Wellness Coach

Amy Howland

Our Board of Directors

Ron Galecki

Board Chair

Ron Galecki joined The Open Door House Board of Directors in 2023 and currently serves as Board Chair. He brings over 40 years of executive leadership experience, including serving as Vice President of Dispersions for BASF Corporation. Ron became passionate about supporting young adults aging out of foster care through his church and is committed to using his business expertise to advance the mission of The Open Door House.

Kathleen Reeder

Board Member

Kathleen Reeder and her husband, Justin, have owned The Bead Lady in Downtown Concord for over 22 years. She is an active advocate for small businesses and serves on the Concord Downtown Development Corporation. Kathleen is passionate about faith, community, and putting people first, values that guide both her business and her service on the Board.

Eudy, Cris DNP, RN, FNP, CNE 11-4-2025 10-01-16 AM.JPG

Dr. Christine Eudy

Board Member

Dr. Eudy earned a diploma from Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1987. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she completed a post-graduate certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Eudy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020. She also has the designation as a Certified Nurse Educator from the National League for Nursing.
Dr. Eudy has been a part of the Concord and surrounding community for her entire life. She is passionate about serving others and has been involved in numerous efforts regarding housing and food insecurity. Through her experience as a healthcare professional, she has been able to serve in medical capacities both locally and internationally.
Dr. Eudy enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, 3 children and their spouses and 4 grandchildren.

Lauren Barricklow

Board Member

Bringing both her professional expertise and personal testimony, Lauren aims to support the TODH mission in a unique way. As a financial professional, she is passionate about helping others through stewardship, sustainability, and empowering individuals and families to build secure futures. Lauren has been married to her husband, Cole, for nearly seven years, and together they value faith, service, and community. Her own journey from surviving to thriving informs her conviction that sustainable transformation is possible when wise counsel, generosity, and community come together. Lauren is deeply committed to helping create pathways of hope and restoration for others through creative solutions.