Our Values

Open Door For Teens, Inc. is dedicated to carrying out the Biblical precepts as related to the family. This is the Lord's ministry, entrusted by the Board of Directors.

We Believe the Following:

• We believe that all life is created by God, and that children are a gift from Him. As the Lord enables us, we endeavor to protect the born and unborn, believing that all persons have a right to live.
• We are dedicated to supporting the family, and believe that marriage is the core of the family unit. Marriage is sanctioned by God and ordained for His glory. It is a lifelong commitment, despite the stresses our world puts on it.
• We believe in the Lord's mercy and grace for all persons, regardless of their past transgressions. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the payment for sins, and trusting in Him, the only way of forgiveness and eternal life. We pledge to share this Good News with everyone we serve.
• Open Door for Teens, Inc. is dedicated to integrity before the Lord and those we serve. We commit ourselves to accountability - both spiritually and financially.

History: In the Beginning

Open Door For Teens, Inc. became a reality in 1990, through a seed planted by the Lord in the hearts of Paul and Jill Keenon years before.

Paul had worked with troubled Teens in his job and saw many come to Christ. Jill's desire to work with Teens was fueled when she was a teenager, by a series of books about troubled girls by John Benton. Paul and Jill had no knowledge of the others prompting by the Lord to become Foster Parents and came together with the decision already made. They were youth leaders at Warrenville Bible Chapel and in a couple of years they brought in the "fringe kids" from the neighborhood. This group grew from about nine (9) to forty (40) kids. The die was cast!

Then in 1983, Paul and Jill became House Parents for Wheaton Youth Outreach, now known as Community Outreach Ministries. WYO honed their parenting skills in the seven years they fostered teens in WYO homes. While the Keenons worked with WYO, they "Foster-Parented" over one hundred (100) teens.

Seems Like Yesterday

In 1990, WYO changed it's direction of ministry, so Paul and Jill decided it was time to strike out on their own. And has it been blessed! Since the inception of ODFT the Keenons have parented over another one hundred fifty (150) teens!

Supporting Our Foster Parents

A board was formed and it soon became apparent that, not only did the Teens need help, but so did the Foster Parents. They needed relief from the 24/7 pressures of Foster Care and had their own  physical needs as well. Some just needed help in getting started, so the Board formed the Foster Parent Supplemental Support Program to meet these needs.

And that's where we are today.

In Christ's Service for the Community,

Paul & Jill Keenon
Open Door for Teens, Inc.