Open Homes Open Hearts Day

Launched by Initiatives of Change early in 2002, Open Homes Open Hearts Day is an opportunity for everyone to help build relationships of trust.

Open Homes Open Hearts Day is the first Sunday of June each year. On this day everyone is encouraged to invite someone of a different culture or race to their home for simple hospitality and sharing of life stories.

Sounds simple - and it is. Yet such grass-roots action are the best way to build trust and build community.

See Open Homes Listening Hearts for more information
or email ohoh.au@au.iofc.org

One person's experience:

"Last year, Open Homes day prompted me to initiate a street party. This was a thought I had had months before and had not summoned up the courage to attempt. But as June approached I saw the connection and felt the final push to try. Determined not to organise it alone, I knocked on a neighbour's front door, but no-one was home. As I turned away, a young pregnant woman who I had never seen before called across the road, telling me they were away at the moment. I explained about the street party idea, and she at once said that she would like to be on the team. We soon formed a multicultural group of eight, made some plans, designed a leaflet and did a letter box drop.

"The night before the big day, I felt worried: Would anyone turn up? Although tired, I was tempted to run around with leaflets again as a reminder, but something stopped me - I had not consulted my team! When I asked them, one offered to draw a big red sign and pin it to a tree instead.

"That afternoon 35 enthusiastic neighbours of all ages gathered on the nature strip with plates of food and drinks. We met a couple with triplets who had been struggling at home, a woman who had moved into the street six weeks earlier, another family with seven children, and others. Some stayed for an hour after the advertised end.

"A few weeks later, my next-door neighbour suggested that we go across the road together to welcome the new baby. She shared some of her own deep struggles as we admired the tiny boy.

"This year, another of the original team has invited all eight to their home for lunch for the first time.

"I am not signing this article because I feel the actions each of us take for Open Homes Open Hearts can be private. Those we reach out to do not necessarily have to know that our initiative was prompted by a campaign because it also comes from a desire in our heart. But WE know that Open Homes day has encouraged us."