Year In Review 2019
Ministering to the physical & spiritual needs of people since 1974.
January
The year began with the continuation of the remodeling project started late in the fall of 2018. Thanks to an all volunteer crew, and some funding by the City of Dinuba, the refurbishing of the inside of the shelter was nearing completion. The Board of Directors began interviewing candidates for a new Executive Director/Shelter Manager. The remaining faithful OGM staff, Alex Kizirian and Gabe Gaona, never skipped a beat throughout the transition period, serving 1200+ people in Dinuba, Orosi & Cutler through our Food Distribution outreach to the community.
February
Cheryl Jackson joined the Open Gate team as Executive Director/Shelter Manager. One of the other candidates, Robin Robart, accepted a position as the Assistant Shelter Manager/Case Manager. Palm United Methodist Church hosted our annual Soup, Salad & Pie Luncheon Fundraiser. Open Gate was recognized and awarded $1000 through the Good Works program initiated by Supervisor Eddie Valero and Tulare County.
March
Cheryl, Robin, and members of the board began assembling a new team of employees. The house was being prepared for reopening by volunteers from Kingsburg Community Church. Volunteer Rosemary refinished old furniture and new bedding and curtains were purchased, adding to the beauty of the newly painted rooms. An amazing family donated new dining room furniture in honor of their late mother.
April
Thanks to the efforts of Adama, a DHS Exchange Student, we received many bags and boxes of personal care items. April 22 was the BIG DAY: Open Gate was once again “shelter” for those God was sending our way, to walk side by side, providing help, healing, and encouragement into the hopeful future that God has for them.
May
Our residents were settling in to the new norm, daily looking for housing, jobs and resources available to them. Three people found employment right away, encouraging everyone here.
The weekly Life Skills Group led by CeCe and Michelle began and has become a safe place for residents to share and grow. We hosted Good Morning Dinuba at the shelter, and the First Assembly of God hosted our annual Sandwich & Salad Luncheon Fundraiser.
June
OGM has a new fence! Pastor Mark Isaac, and the Men’s Ministry at Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church, built us an amazing fence around the property. We celebrated a resident’s birthday, and enjoyed homemade cookies made for her by her Teen Challenge mentor. Cheryl and Board President Roger Neufeld enjoyed dinner and sharing about the mission of Open Gate with the Cruisers Club at Dinuba Presbyterian Church.
July
This month was all about fireworks, volunteers that we couldn’t do without, and a successful Fireworks Booth Fundraiser. The residents are all loving their Bible Study on the book of Mark with Pastor Nancy from Grace of God of Dinuba. Best day of all, one of the residents got baptized by Pastor Chuck at Wellspring Christian Center!
August
Baby J was born! We welcomed our first newborn to the shelter since the reopening. Many from the community dropped by with gifts for baby and mama. We met with Cheryl Nicolay of Dawnings, and were blessed to share at Dinuba Christian Church, continuing to build relationships with others who are providing spiritual, physical and emotional support to the people of Dinuba and the surrounding communities. A new friend from Caltronics, our copier company, made THE MOST AMAZING cake for R’s 4th birthday party!
September
Happy 45th Anniversary Open Gate Ministries! Our Dinner (catered by Teen Challenge) and Celebration, hosted by Pastors Mark & Tammy Wallace and Living Word Fellowship, was an amazing night to remember and reflect on all the beauty of the last 45 years. Founder Vivian Martzen’s sons were present, as were 300 Open Gate supporters, past and present. We are so thankful for the many partners God has given us to continue the work of Open Gate. Backpacks and school supplies were in abundance as the school district and members of the community stopped by to make sure our kids were well taken care of. Dinuba Unified School District is an amazing group to work with; they REALLY care about our kids! Just as Pastor Nancy’s study ended, Abe Isaak from DMBC began a Bible Study for new believers. God’stiming is perfect!
October
The Dinuba Woman’s Club featured Open Gate Ministries at their monthly meeting and toured the shelter a few weeks later. We were named the recipient of the President’s Project by LindaConklin. Walmart treated us like royalty, complete with cheering, a cake reception and $1000 from their Walmart Cares campaign. Thank you Walmart #5394, for all that you do for our community! Fun was had by all at the annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ. Steaks, ribs, brats and the trimmings were the fare of the evening, followed by bingo with lots of prizes for the winners! Thank you for your hearts to serve, OG volunteers!
November
November was an incredible month FULL of extra blessings for Open Gate. Megan Martzen, and some of her colleagues, Kimberli, Bianca, Bay and Adam, treated the residents to a Spa Day. Makeovers, haircuts & styles, followed by professional portraits taken at the Golf Course, were a highlight of the month! One Blood, One Body blessed us with an amazing dinner right before Thanksgiving, and a group of friends from Dinuba came and served Open Gate on Thanksgiving Day. Central California Food Bank delivered over two hundred special Holiday Meal Boxes, which were happily given away the day before Thanksgiving, amidst the heaviest rain and hailstorm of the season. Dinuba High School had a canned food drive and donated over 2000 cans of food. The First Baptist Church of Dinuba hosted our Decorated Christmas Tree Live Auction, Silent Auction and Boutique Fundraiser, with 6 groups participating in the tree decorating and 54 groups or individuals donating items to the Silent Auction.Congratulations Dinuba Woman’s Club for the win!
December
Residents and volunteers had a blast serving at the City of Dinuba’s Electric Christmas Parade where we were honored to receive canned goods donated by kids from our community. Generous hearts abound all year long for Open Gate, but Christmas time is unbelievable! 10 different groups blessed our residents with gifts, food, celebrations and so much love. Additionally, we were blessed to receive hundreds of donated toys to distribute to local kids in need, along with more Holiday Meal Boxes. Immanuel, God with Us, is truly the foundation on which we stand! We gladly welcome You, King Jesus, to rule and reign at Open Gate.
Stories:
“My Husband and I wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for Open Gate. The people the Lord used to show us a better way have forever changed our lives.” Resident H.P.
“We felt loved. Being at Open Gate has opened our hearts to the Christian faith.” Resident C.V.
“It’s given us the confidence to move forward in our lives. We truly didn’t expect to fall in with the staff. Regardless of what happens, I know I’ll always have support here.” Resident G.H.
Contact Us
Shelter Location
511 N. K Street
Dinuba, CA 93618
559-591-1241
Thrift Store Location
133 S. L Street Dinuba, CA 93618 559-591-7232 Email opengateministries @sbcglobal.net Website opengate-ministries.org
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Open Gate Ministries (Dinuba)
Open Gate Ministries Thrift Shop
Open Gate Thrift Store
Food Distribution Dinuba 511 N. K Street Mondays 1-3pm Orosi 41645 Road 128 3rd Tuesday 9-11am Cutler 12588 Avenue 407 4th Tuesday 9-11am
Shelter Served:
81 residents 2961 bednights 5980 meals Food Distribution
Served:
4,813 families
18,257 people 433,719 pounds of food
“I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” Psalm 140:12