1990's, 2000's, & 2010's: Growth and Expansion
Throughout the history of the organization, Open Door has become the premier provider of sexual health and wellness in the greater Fox Valley area. The needs of our community continue to change. Open Door continues to respond. Our legacy is very important to us and has been captured in a book called The Legacy Campaign.
Open Door continues to expand efforts to provide education, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections by providing opportunities in underserved communities throughout five counties. Open Door continues to expand specialty medical services to people who are living with HIV/AIDS by increasing medical and case management staff, introducing behavioral health and substance abuse services and developing a state-of-the-art medical facilities. Open Door is developing primary medical services to consumers who need their doctors to provide discrimination and stigma-free care, specifically those in the GLBT community.
As the needs of our community grows, the services of Open Door do too. We are a responsive organization providing vital services to those in need.
2013: Aurora location expands to meet the needs of the community.
2014: Greg Louganis presents at Open Door’s New Beginnings fundraiser.
2015: Open Door moves into its new location on Larkin Ave.
2016:
David passes away and Perry Maier is named interim and later becomes executive director.
Open Door awarded funding for housing services in DuPage County.
Housing satellite office opens in West Chicago.
2018: Open Door receives funding for housing services in Kane County
2019:
Open Door opens a satellite prevention office in DeKalb.
Open Door starts weekly ambulatory care services in Joliet.
Dr. Zeba Geloo starts as the Medical Director in June.
Open Door expands prevention services to include suburban Cook county.
The Legacy Campaign
2001:
First All Things Chocolate fundraiser.
Open Door participates in the second Annual Fox Valley AIDS Walk.
2003: Open Door receives funding from Health Resources and Services Administration to expand medical care to five days a week.
2006: Open Door publishes a book, “The Legacy Campaign”.
2009: Jeanne White-Ginder accepts a panel for her son, Ryan White and speaks on behalf of Open Door on World AIDS Day.
Added Location and New Leadership
1992: AIDS is the #1 cause of death in the U.S. for men ages 25-44.
1992: Open Door provides same day testing results.
1993: Open Door opens a second location in Aurora.
1997: Open Door receives funding from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to expand services.
1998: Open Door moves the Aurora office to a bigger location.
1999: Long-time director, Hugh Epping retires and David Roesler is named executive director.
1970's and 80's: Founding and Providing Care
In the 80’s the AIDS epidemic was growing. Despite the fact there was little understanding of the disease or how it was contracted, the common factor was similar sexual experiences. Open Door saw the need to educate the community – so they started to do so.
1981: MMR published 5 cases of PCP in young gay men in LA.
1985: A test for HIV is on the market and Open Door started testing.
1987: The FDA approved AZT March of 1987.
1988: Dr. David Luck started care services at Open Door.
The 1970's Founding of Open Door
In 1975 the Visiting Nurses Association of Elgin saw the need for sexually transmitted infection (STI) education, testing and treatment, then referred to as venereal disease or VD. They worked with other concerned citizens to develop Open Door, incorporating it as a nonprofit organization in 1977.
1975: A group of concerned citizens came together to address the high rates of sexually transmitted diseases.
1976: Our first name was, Open Door VD Clinic with offices on Division Street in Elgin.
1977: Open Door was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.