Opening Doors, Inc.

We believe that our community is most strong when every community member is able to fulfill his or her potential. Our strategic approach is to help some of our most disadvantaged neighbors when they most need it, but not to stop at those safety net services. We believe that entering the economic mainstream is critically important to the marginalized members of our community. Opening Doors began in 1993 as a small refugee resettlement agency called the Sacramento Refugee Ministry. We assisted refugees from the former Soviet Union, Southeast Asia and elsewhere to begin new lives here. When many of these refugees expressed a desire to start businesses in order to become self-sufficient, we formed our Microenterprise Assistance program. This small business program grew to serve Hispanic immigrants and US citizens. In 2003, after a great deal of growth, we incorporated as our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the name of Opening Doors. In 2004 Opening Doors became a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). We grew our business microloan program and began offering tools and training for those attempting to assert more control over their personal finances. Responding to the horrific problem of human trafficking and the dire needs of those who have survived it, Opening Doors became established its Survivors of Human Trafficking program. Many of our trafficking clients qualify for special immigration visas, and our Immigration Legal Services program is here to help them and other victims of crimes receive special humanitarian visas. We also provide low-cost immigration legal services to other refugees and immigrants. This year, we became the lead administrators for Sacramento Rescue and Restore, and also joined the anti-trafficking ranks nationally and became members of the Freedom Network. Our Prosperity Project now offers grants to refugee women looking to start a home childcare business, and we offer business development programs for Hispanic immigrants. Opening Doors continues to grow and fill the service gaps in Sacramento. We celebrate the diversity of our community and believe that we are enriched by its varied cultural wisdoms. We believe in the fundamental value of every community member and we work to enable each to fulfill his or her potential and thus contribute to their fullest to our society.