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Why AB 1626 Matters for Youth (and the Adults Who Show Up for Them)
One of the core ideas behind Open Doors training is simple but powerful: the adults already present in a young person’s community (beyond clinicians or medical professionals) can make a meaningful difference in that person’s life. A bill currently moving through the California legislature reflects that same belief. AB 1626, authored by California Assembly Member…
Building the Next Generation of Open Doors Facilitators
Inside Our First Train-the-Trainer Cohort This past April in Sacramento, a new program came to life: Open Doors hosted its very first Train-the-Trainer (TtT) cohort, bringing together youth-serving professionals ready to take the next step: not just participating in the Open Doors Core Training, but learning how to facilitate it for others. Over two days,…
Youth Voice: Eve Valdez
Open Doors Youth Council member Eve Valdez shares how her lived experience shapes her approach to healing, advocacy, and supporting young people.
What Is 988 “Press 3” & Why It Matters
AB 1540 seeks to restore the “Press 3” option for California callers. The bill would require the state to ensure that 988 can once again route youth to specialized LGBTQ+ crisis counselors, while also providing the funding needed to sustain this critical infrastructure.
Community Spotlight: Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children’s Services
At Open Doors, every training is an opportunity to learn alongside communities doing deeply meaningful work. Recently, we had the privilege of partnering with Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children’s Services at their Covina, CA office, where we spent the day with their Foster Family Agency staff.
National Social Work Month
In honor of National Social Work Month, we want to celebrate the many ways social workers contribute to our communities and systems.
Facilitator Spotlight: Rebeca Chavez
Rebeca Chavez didn’t always see herself as a facilitator — but looking back, it’s hard to imagine her as anything else. From leading literacy circles for teen moms during college to facilitating restorative justice conversations with youth…
More Than a Mandate: How Youth Voice Shaped the Open Doors Curriculum
When the Open Doors training curriculum was first taking shape, the team faced a foundational question: Who belongs at the table? For Tia Cochran-Otis, Curriculum Development Lead, the answer was immediate: young people.
Community Spotlight: Jovenes, Inc.
On January 14, 2026, Open Doors expanded its reach into southeast Los Angeles County with a full-day Core Training alongside Jovenes, Inc. in Whittier, California. The gathering brought together nearly 40 staff members who work directly with youth experiencing homelessness, creating a rare opportunity for collective learning, reflection, and connection.
