Open Door was begun by PUMC in 1991 in response to continuing requests for help from the city's homeless and near homeless population.  For years, our church "handled" help for the needy in our community by allowing the pastors to provide a quick financial handout to folks when they stopped into our offices.  We realized that not only was the drop-in traffic disruptive of our staff, but far more importantly, those seeking help seldom got the kind of sustained and compassionate help we would have like them to receive.  Thus was Open Door born.  Soon other churches and our Prescott synagogue offered to help in this ministry. As a result, the Interfaith Coalition for Compassion and Justice, now known as The Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ), was formed as a coalition of all these ministries to support the expanding needs of these people, and the Open Door ministry was transferred to ICCJ. The ministry of OPEN DOOR would not exist if it were not for the loving and devoted members of PUMC and these ministries.

Prescott UMC is proud to have been a part in the establishment of both Open Door and CCJ and continues to provide vital support to this organization.

For further information on the Coalition for Compassion and Justice activites, go to www.yavapaiccj.org.