The Open Door Mission has named an interim executive director to implement the mission’s next phase of growth.
Jamie Munyon was selected as interim executive director. He has been with the Mission since 2016, currently serving as program director and previously serving as director of shelter services.
Previous executive director Dean Brown has stepped down and back into ministry at his local church.
Since 2016, Open Door Mission has embarked on an aggressive campaign to extend programs to the homeless and those impoverished serving Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga Counties.
Current projects nearing completion include the 52 bed men’s shelter and the Life Path Program floor. The increase in beds will allow the Mission to accept more people into the Life Path Program, officials said.
Officials said Munyon is one of the driving forces behind Open Door Mission’s Life Path Program which is a program designed to bridge the gap from homelessness to self-sustaining and balanced lives. The program follows eight steps: safe, sober, stable, schooled, skilled, secure, settled and serving. The classes and services offered follow residents from their entry into the Mission through the point where they are housed and able to give back to the community.
He is a SUNY Plattsburgh graduate with a B.S. in psychology and an A.A.S. in criminal justice and substance abuse.
“We are very pleased to appoint Jamie to serve as the Mission’s interim leader while we launch a formal search for an Executive Director,” said Jeff Purner, chair of the Open Door Mission board of directors.
In addition to Munyon’s appointment, the Mission announced the appointment of Ryan VanAmburgh to the board of directors.
Van Amburgh has been working with the Mission since 2018 as a development consultant and joined the board of directors earlier this year.