What Does a Red Door Mean?

Red Door Fund Campaign Kicks-off in February

My six-year-old daughter has always loved to draw and color. In 2021, she drew a lovely picture with a blue sky, green grass, a tall tree, and… a random red door. She always cherishes her masterpieces and loves to make other people feel loved by giving her treasures away.

She decided to give this special piece of artwork to her aunt who she loves dearly. The interesting part about it though was that her aunt with whom she shared the picture, recently lost her husband, my brother, due to suicide. After a particularly hard day, she told me that the picture meant so much to her, especially the red door, which she interpreted as the “doorway to heaven.” That struck me and as I walked away I immediately Googled: “What does a red door mean?”

I began to read about the different things that a red door symbolizes depending upon the culture. It is fascinating that it always means something friendly, desirable, and positive.

In the Bible, the Israelites smeared lambs blood across their front doors to serve as protection from the Angel of Death. In the middle ages, cathedrals were built with doors painted with red crosses; passing through those doors meant you were on holy ground and in a safe place. In America, a very old tradition was to paint your door red to serve as an invitation to travelers who were weary and tired from the road, into your home for a place to rest.

In general, a red door symbolizes an invitation and protection.

I write this to encourage you to be a Red Door.

People suffering from mental illness are tired; especially those thinking about suicide.

Loved ones caring for people suffering from mental illness are exhausted and feel isolated and scared.

Survivors of suicide victims are lost without their loved one and are experiencing grief in the form of sadness, anger, denial, and fear.

They all need red doors. They all need a place to rest, a place to feel safe and protected, a place to feel welcome and not alone.

When you know someone who is suffering themselves, caring for someone who is suffering, or who has recently lost someone, there are very specific things you can do to use your voice, your ears and your heart to help. Be a Red Door.

I’d like to think that Keith, my brother, who lost his battle with mental illness, finally found peace when he walked through that red door on the other side. And I’d like to think that my daughter was the messenger to let his loved ones know that he and they could finally rest after their long and tough journey.

While my heart breaks, let’s also make sure there are plenty of red doors down here on earth to offer solace to them and everyone around them while they are still traveling on their journey.

Inspired by all of this, in 2021, we opened up a fund with the Fayette Community Foundation called: The Red Door Fund for Mental Health. Mental illness is more prevalent in rural areas than in urban communities and yet, there are fewer mental health providers and resources available in rural areas to offer treatment and support.

The vision of the Red Door Fund for Mental Health is for those struggling with mental illness and their loved ones in this rural region to not only have access to the resources they need and be able to navigate those resources, but also be able to turn to any person for support and feel accepted, understood, and unashamed.

Since 2021, the Red Door Fund has successfully raised $130,181 and has strategically invested $111,143 back into the community through direct and collaborative funding. These investments have been directed towards advancing mental health awareness and education, as well as expanding local mental health services and providers, in alignment with the priorities identified by the community itself.

Additionally, over 60,000 people have been inspired to be Red Doors themselves through our February campaign in past years. The sheer number of red doors and driveways (over 500 every year) seen around the region as well as the creativity and sincerity involved is truly humbling. This February we are kicking off the Red Door Fund Campaign once again and we hope to surpass the number of red doors and driveways we saw in years past as we continue to spread mental health awareness in the region.

The Red Door Fund is now looking to 2024 and has already secured a $25,000 matching donation. With the community’s support to meet the match, we will invest $50,000 back into the region to spread more mental health awareness and increase mental health services and programs.

If you want to join our mission and change mental health awareness and access locally, please consider decorating the door of your home or business red this February. Additionally, donating to The Red Door Fund will not only help meet the matching donation, but most importantly support local people struggling with mental illness and their families.

For more information or to contribute to the Red Door Fund, please visit: www.faycofoundation. com/rdf or mail to P.O. Box 664, La Grange, TX 78945.

The mission of the Fayette Community Foundation (FCF) is to build stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities by providing a bridge that connects caring philanthropists to those in need. The FCF was founded in 2001 with the goal of becoming the premier resource for philanthropists, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations who provide services within 80 miles of La Grange. FCF serves the needs of the remarkable people whose financial gifts make a lasting difference in this community.