Through holistic care and community partnership, Opportunity House is creating pathways of hope

On any given weekday morning in Concord, the doors at Opportunity House open to more than warmth, showers and a hot meal. They are open to dignity, connection and possibility.

“People ask me, ‘What should I do if I see a homeless person?’” said Kimani Varner, executive director of Opportunity House. “I always say, first, there are no homeless people. There are people experiencing homelessness.”

Kimani Varner, executive director of Opportunity House, believes dignity is the first step toward stability.

That distinction shapes everything Opportunity House does. Here, guests are known by their names. Their immediate needs are met without judgment. And every interaction is rooted in the belief that self-sufficiency is possible with the right support.

Opportunity House began in 2007 when founder Dan Talbert noticed people in his community who were being overlooked — individuals struggling with addiction, instability or a hard season of life. He created a space where they could be seen and treated with dignity. What started as a small gathering at a church – sharing meals, conversation and fellowship – has grown into a robust day shelter supported by multiple congregations and community partners.

In 2015, Opportunity House found its permanent home in a former heating and cooling warehouse. Centrally located and off the central bus route, the building was transformed to support the many facets of care offered today: showers, laundry, a clothing closet, kitchen, worship and gathering spaces and rooms for small groups and health services.

The location isn’t just practical, it’s intentional. “This building allows us to serve the whole (individual) under one roof,” said Varner.

A Full Circle of Support

On Mondays, the shelter reaches full capacity, often assisting 80 guests who have spent the weekend outdoors and are eager for warmth, clean clothes and a hot meal. On average, Opportunity House serves about 58 people each day, with attendance continuing to grow. In 2024 alone, 809 unique individuals walked through its doors.

Each guest is offered two prepared meals daily, access to showers and laundry, clothing, hygiene items and even safe storage for personal belongings — an often overlooked but critical need. But what truly sets Opportunity House apart is its holistic, full-circle approach.

“We have healthcare providers who want to help but can’t reach people on the street,” said Varner. “And we have churches and pastors who know the people but don’t have access to healthcare systems. To bring someone out of homelessness, it takes faith, healthcare and the full community working together.”

Through partnerships, guests can receive wellness checks, medications and mobile healthcare services, with plans underway to add therapy. Faith is also woven throughout daily life at Opportunity House, offering optional devotion, prayer, Bible study and community worship for those who seek it.

Community, Seen Through the Eyes of Volunteers

For volunteer Crystal Viar, Opportunity House is a place where walls come down and humanity rises up. “When you walk in here, everyone feels like an equal,” she said.

Volunteer Crystal Viar helps create a welcoming, judgment-free space at Opportunity House.

“There’s no differentiation. No one is above or below anyone else.” Crystal, who comes from a healthcare background, began volunteering more than two years ago after hearing about Opportunity House in recovery meetings. She now checks in guests, helps coordinate services and, most importantly, builds relationships. “A lot of times, people just want to be known,” she said. “Out there, they feel nameless. Here, when we call them by name and smile, they feel seen.”

She’s witnessed milestones that many take for granted — birthdays, new jobs, sobriety anniversaries and keys to new homes.

“Any of us could be here,” said Viar. “It only takes one life-altering event. This place reminds you to lead with empathy.”

Giving Back After Moving Forward

Daron Williams knows firsthand what that empathy can mean. After battling addiction for more than 40 years, Daron moved to Cabarrus County and entered recovery at Serenity House. It was there that he learned about Opportunity House and eventually found a new purpose.

Daron Williams and his partner, Robin, prepare meals at Opportunity House, as a way to give back to the place that welcomed and supported them when they first arrived.

Today, Daron volunteers as a chef, preparing meals for guests alongside his partner, Robin. “When I first came here, I didn’t know anyone,” he says. “Now I’ve met so many people. It feels good to serve others who are looking for support, just like I was.”

Sober for more than seven years, Daron’s story is a living example of Opportunity House’s mission: meeting immediate needs while creating pathways toward stability, connection and self-sufficiency.

With support from Foundation For The Carolina’s Community Impact Funds, specifically the Fund for Health and Human Services, Opportunity House can continue keeping its doors open and expanding what’s possible. “That funding allows us to do what we do best,” said Varner. “It gives people the opportunity to get out of their situation and move toward self-sufficiency.”

Looking ahead, Opportunity House hopes to expand its facility, grow its commercial kitchen to meet increasing demand, create a classroom for GED preparation and reimagine its clothing closet as a free, store-like experience open to the broader community.

But growth requires partnership. Opportunity House welcomes support through funding, clothing donations and volunteers.

“Come meet the people here,” said Varner. “Hear their stories. They are some of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever known.”

To learn more or get involved, visit Opportunity House’s website or email volunteer@opphouse.net.