The Empowered Woman: Tracie Ball

For Tracie Ball, helping others isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. As the Executive Director of Open Door Home since November 2019, Tracie has dedicated her life to social services. “If I wasn’t helping others, I wouldn’t know what else to do,” she reflects. This deep-seated passion has guided her through various roles, ultimately leading her to Open Door Home, where she continues to impact lives.

Since its founding in 1927, Open Door Home has been a beacon of stability for youth in foster care, providing not just shelter, but a nurturing environment for ages 12 to 21. While ensuring basic needs are met, the organization goes above and beyond—planning special trips, academic study halls, and financial literacy programs to set these young individuals up for success. “We aren’t here to replace their parents," Tracie emphasizes. "We just want to make sure they’re loved and feel safe."

Beyond immediate care, the home fosters self-advocacy, teaching life skills through trust-based relational interventions (TBRI). “We do a lot of talking, teaching, and behavior modeling,” says Tracie, reinforcing the importance of trust and connection.

Transitioning to adulthood can be daunting, but Open Door Home eases this process with three independent living facilities designed to support young adults in their next steps. Here, residents live on their own while working or attending school, guided by life coaches who help them develop confidence and self-sufficiency.

Success stories illustrate the impact of this program, like a young woman who recently transitioned out of independent living, earned her associate degree, and is now pursuing further education at Kennesaw State University.

Under Tracie’s leadership, the organization has seen significant progress—from special accreditations and a rebranding initiative, to refined internal processes. One of her proudest achievements is securing a contract for the independent living program. Yet, with growth come challenges: staffing shortages and uncertainty surrounding federal funding continue to be pressing concerns.

Still, Tracie remains motivated by the long-term success of former residents. “Knowing we’ve touched their lives and made a difference—it keeps us going,” she shares. Now, Open Door Home is focused on rebuilding its mentor program, aiming for one dedicated mentor per youth. For those looking to support this mission, mentorship is an incredible way to create a lasting impact. To learn more, visit Open Door Home.

“The kids aren’t here because of anything they did,” Tracie points out. “They’re here because their parents need time to get their lives together before they can go back home—and that’s the ultimate goal, getting them back to a safe home with their family.”

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