Our History

In December of 1984, Mecklenburg Open Door was formed and soon the agency established its first home under the urban skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina. The home was conceived as a 24-hour, comprehensive program which would be carefully designed and monitored to meet the needs of each individual resident. A group home environment of five residents and a staff of dedicated, knowledgeable professionals was assembled.

"For the first time, we in Mecklenburg County
can boast of making real progress in the care,
education and socialization of our mentally
ill citizens. Where once no special program
existed to address the needs of these citizens,
the initial step has been taken to provide the
attention, guidance and support vital to helping
them become stronger and more viable"

Mecklenburg Open Door
Opening Ceremonies, 1985

Over the years, Mecklenburg Open Door convinced city government and business leaders that urban development should not interfere with the community’s responsibility to provide services to these unique individuals. As Charlotte grew to the large city it is today, Mecklenburg Open Door grew as well. The Cedar Street group home was developed in 1986 in conjunction with the Third Ward neighborhood in Charlotte, who built the house and is still the landlord. The Board of Directors developed a strategic plan in early 1989 calling for MOD to expand to 6 group homes. In the early 1990’s the agency continued its expansion adding management contracts for four HUD homes and two HUD apartment complexes, all owned by Mental Health Association of North Carolina.

In 1997, the agency assumed the operation of supported employment services of Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health. Since that time, the Mecklenburg Open Door Supported Employment division has grown to be the second largest provider of employment services in Mecklenburg County.