OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS PROGRAM
Creating Congregations Where People of All Abilities Participate

MISSION

The Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors program raises awareness to the barriers to participation that can exist in many worshiping communities for individuals with physical, mental, emotional, and sensory differences and provides practical ways to remove those barriers. The goal is to create congregations where people of all abilities can participate in liturgy, ministry, fellowship and religious education.
The Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors program began in April of 1996 when Cardinal Bernardin called a conference on inclusion. He asked Pathways Awareness Foundation to partner with the Archdiocese on the conference. The production and distribution of the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors video and the celebration of the first annual Inclusion Awareness Day established the program in the archdiocese. Cardinal George endorsed the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors program in partnership with Pathways Awareness Foundation and inaugurated the parish inclusion representative program to assist pastors with inclusion efforts.
The Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors program in partnership with Pathways Awareness Foundation:

• Provides online inclusion in worship materials
• Sponsors the Open Hearts Awards and Junior Open Hearts Awards to recognize and provide funds for parishes that make outstanding efforts to welcome worshipers of all abilities into active membership.
• Distributes the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors video*, Idea Guide, and folder of print materials to explain practical ways congregations can welcome parishioners of all abilities
• Coordinates Inclusion Awareness Day, an annual Archdiocese wide, parish-based event to celebrate the contributions worshipers of all abilities make when accommodations are provided
• Recruits volunteer parish Inclusion Representatives to assist pastors with inclusion efforts
• Provides Different Gifts, But the Same Spirit lesson plans written by Directors of Religious Education for catechists and religious educators to teach children and youth about the gifts received when people of all abilities are included.

OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, OPEN DOORS PROGRAM
Pathways Awareness Foundation
150 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 2100
Chicago, IL. 60601
Phone 1-800-955-2445
Website: http://www.inclusioninworship.org