Like many communities Bellwood had a problem with groups of teenagers hanging out after school with little positive to do, and many destructive influences after them. These youth were viewed as a community problem as they congregated on corners, alleys or park areas getting into trouble. These teens were not involved in school sports or arts programs and were often abandoned to the streets after school because of difficult home situations.
The Door was opened in 1998 by FrontLine Ministries under the vision and leadership of George Palmer. George secured a house through the Bellwood-Antis Community Trust and hundreds of volunteer renovation hours to provide a safe, home-like environment for at-risk teenagers after school. In 2002 David Taylor joined FrontLine Ministries as the new Director of the Door.
In 2005 FrontLine Ministries granted independence to the ministry under David’s leadership. Under this direction The Door joined hands with Hillside Community Church and under their umbrella of spiritual and fiscal oversight the ministry has continued to grow dynamically. In 2012 the ministry incorporated separately as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to become: The Door Student Services, Inc. This incorporation will allow for greater flexibility and growth in the future programs.
The Door was opened in 1998 by FrontLine Ministries under the vision and leadership of George Palmer. George secured a house through the Bellwood-Antis Community Trust and hundreds of volunteer renovation hours to provide a safe, home-like environment for at-risk teenagers after school. In 2002 David Taylor joined FrontLine Ministries as the new Director of the Door.
In 2005 FrontLine Ministries granted independence to the ministry under David’s leadership. Under this direction The Door joined hands with Hillside Community Church and under their umbrella of spiritual and fiscal oversight the ministry has continued to grow dynamically. In 2012 the ministry incorporated separately as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to become: The Door Student Services, Inc. This incorporation will allow for greater flexibility and growth in the future programs.
Throughout the years The Door has been recognized by several community organizations for their work with at-risk youth. Kid’s Day America awarded us the “Children’s Empowerment Award” in 2008. We were honored by Day One of Greater Altoona, PA with the “Friend of the Family” Award in 2013. In 2014 we received the “Committee Choice Award for The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame”. We have received grants, assistance and recognition from Leadership Blair County, Operation Our Town, Family Services, Blair Hope for Families and many other community groups, business and churches. Our greatest honor is to see kids changed, healed and given new hope.
We have had the great opportunity to build relationships with several teenage boys throughout our time and be a step-in dad to many of them. Then also experience the frustration and heartache with them when they are kicked out of their house on their eighteenth birthday. These teens did nothing wrong to warrant such actions, but were unable to find help to assist them as several of them finished high-school. This dilemma did not sit well with Dave and in 2016, the Door took a significant step in to extend the reach of it's ministry by launching Lionheart. This branch of the ministry focuses on finishing the job with these young men to successfully carry the weight of life in the areas of housing, employment, finances, and transportation.
It has been a long-standing belief among the board members that every small town needs a Door. In 2019 that belief is going to start to bear fruit by opening up a second location for The Door in North East, PA. Since its official launch on January 1st, we have seen an outpouring of support from a growing network of local people who care about this town and want to provide its teens with every chance at success. We are currently in the process of purchasing and beginning to renovate a home. In the mean time a local church has graciously opened its doors for us to operate 3 days a week.
