What began in 1979 as a small church-run soup kitchen with a few basement beds has grown into one of Kern County’s most critical support systems for families who are facing homelessness, domestic violence, and crisis. 

“Over time, that grassroots local effort really expanded and ended up forming the 501(c)(3) Bethany Services, which is the Open Door Network,” said Marvin Luna, the Open Door Network’s director of grants and data. “In 1985, we got our first shelter, and since then it’s been an effort to expand and keep providing services.”

According to Luna, the Open Door Network serves more than 7,000 people annually through emergency shelter, supportive services, therapy, restraining order assistance, court accompaniments, child care, transportation, food, clothing, and rental assistance.

Today, Luna said the organization’s work is especially important in Bakersfield and the Kern County region, where economic instability, domestic violence, and the county’s large geography create major challenges for vulnerable families.

“Kern County and Bakersfield is very large, about 8,000 square miles, so you really need a service provider who can reach out and cover that large geographic area to ensure people in rural communities like Delano, Arvin, Lamont, and Lake Isabella still have access to these resources,” he said. 

To address that gap, the Open Door Network recently expanded its reach by opening a family justice center in Delano last August. This reduces the need for residents to drive to Bakersfield for help. 

“Before that, people would have to do that 30-mile drive to Bakersfield, and then obviously 30 miles back to Delano,” Luna said. “Now we have a walk-in center there, so we’re just trying to expand our geographic outreach.”

The organization also operates a 24/7 hotline, allowing people anywhere in Kern County to receive immediate help and transportation assistance if needed.

“It doesn’t matter where they’re located; they can still receive services and get connected,” Luna said. “And then we can arrange transportation for them as well.” 

According to Luna, one of the biggest challenges clients face right now is affording housing, employment opportunities, and child care. 

“When you have victims fleeing, and there’s no housing inventory available, that’s tough,” Luna said. “That extends the process of finding safety, and the same can be said for our homeless families.”

The organization’s work often continues long after families leave the shelter.

Luna said families who come through the homeless center are usually connected to medical services that they may not have previously had access to, including routine screenings, physicals, and primary care physicians. 

Luna said once families are ready to move into permanent housing, the support continues through housing navigation, application assistance, and deposit support.

“They’re always able to come back for emergency food boxes, food donations, and clothing donations,” Luna said. 

Through the Open Door Network’s aftercare division, staff members continue checking in with families after they leave the shelter and move into their own homes. 

“We connect with them at least on minimum a monthly basis to check in. To make sure they have everything they need to maintain and sustain their housing,” Luna said. 

The organization also helps families furnish their new homes with essential starter items, including pots, pans, forks, knives, cups, kitchenware, and furniture through its warehouse.

According to Luna, the biggest misconception about homelessness is that people have substance abuse problems or mental health issues. To him, this isn’t the case. 

Luna said one of the biggest misconceptions about homelessness is that most unhoused people struggle with substance use or simply do not want to work.

“The reality is that a lot of our families are living paycheck to paycheck. All it is is one car trouble from not making it to work for a couple of days, getting let go, and then you end up homeless,” he said. “So I would say that that’s a bigger reality. A lot of our homeless people are employed, but again, because of inventory and because of the quality of jobs available, they’re not really making a living wage.” 

Luna said domestic violence also carries a harmful stigma, particularly the misconception that it only affects certain types of people. 

“This could happen to anyone,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how educated you are, how much money you’re making, what kind of career you have.”

For staff, the emotional weight of the work can be one of the hardest parts.

“Our advocates are listening to stories day in and day out about sexual assault, rape, molestation, physical abuse, verbal abuse, and everything in between,” Luna said. “Some of these are gruesome, right? There are cases that end in murder.”

For survivors and families, he said, the hardest step is often simply asking for help. Especially when they fear losing the relationship or rely on that person financially.

“There’s a lot of feelings potentially associated with shame, with guilt,” he said. “Those things might prevent people from reaching help.”

Even with those challenges, Luna said the work remains rooted in community support and shared responsibility.

“Solving these issues, domestic violence, homelessness, child abuse in our community,  these are really community efforts,” Luna said. “It really does take all of us contributing to it.”

Luna said the organization continues to rely on volunteers and community support through donations, advocacy efforts, and direct service.

“We couldn’t do this without the support from our community,” Luna said.