Open Road Merrifield is a nonprofit that helps people without stable housing find work and rebuild their lives
Open Road Merrifield, based in Fairfax County, Virginia, provides job training, employment support, and housing information to people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The organization focuses on connecting people to work as a path toward self-sufficiency, rather than treating homelessness as a permanent condition. They work with individuals one-on-one to address barriers to employment — whether that means helping someone prepare for interviews, find appropriate clothing for a job, or navigate transportation to a workplace.
The organization operates several distinct programs, each designed for different stages of someone's situation. Some programs focus on when ready shelter and basic needs, while others concentrate on job readiness and long-term employment. Understanding which program might fit your circumstances requires knowing what each one does and who it serves.
Key Takeaways
- Open Road Merrifield serves people in Fairfax County who are homeless or at risk of losing housing, with programs ranging from emergency shelter to job training.
- The organization emphasizes employment as a route to stability, offering job coaching, interview preparation, and connections to local employers.
- To learn what programs might be relevant to your situation, you can contact Open Road Merrifield directly by phone or visit their office in Fairfax County.
- Many of Open Road's programs are free or low-cost, though some services may have income limits or other requirements based on your circumstances.
The main programs Open Road Merrifield runs
Open Road operates several overlapping programs. Their emergency shelter provides temporary housing for people with nowhere else to go, typically with a focus on helping residents move into longer-term housing or their own place. The shelter includes case management — meaning staff work with you to identify barriers and create a plan forward.
The job training and employment program is where Open Road's emphasis on work becomes most visible. This includes resume writing, interview coaching, job search support, and connections to employers in the Fairfax County area who have agreed to hire people with employment gaps or housing instability. Some participants also receive help with work-appropriate clothing or transportation information to get to interviews and jobs.
Open Road also runs transitional housing for people who have moved beyond emergency shelter but are not yet ready to live independently. Transitional housing typically lasts from several months to two years and includes ongoing case management and support services.
How to contact Open Road Merrifield and what to expect
The most direct way to learn about Open Road's services is to call them or visit their location in Fairfax County. When you contact them, be prepared to describe your current housing situation — whether you are currently homeless, at when ready risk of losing housing, or recently housed but unstable. This helps staff understand which program might be most relevant.
If you are in crisis — meaning you need shelter tonight — let them know that when ready. Open Road can often help with emergency placement, though availability depends on current capacity. If you are not in when ready crisis but need longer-term support, staff can discuss job training, transitional housing, or other services.
The organization serves Fairfax County residents. If you live outside that area, staff can point you toward similar organizations in your county or region.
What Open Road's job programs actually involve
Open Road's employment services are not a quick job-placement service. Instead, they work with you over weeks or months to address the specific barriers keeping you from work. This might mean helping you understand what kinds of jobs match your skills, building confidence through mock interviews, or working through transportation challenges.
The organization has relationships with local employers — including retail, hospitality, healthcare, and other sectors — who have hired Open Road participants before. This means job coaches can sometimes connect you directly to a hiring manager rather than sending you to explore cold online. That personal connection often makes a real difference when you have a gap in employment history or are returning to work after a period of homelessness.
Once you are placed in a job, Open Road typically continues to check in with you and your employer to make sure the fit is working and to troubleshoot any problems that come up.
Housing support beyond emergency shelter
Open Road's transitional housing program bridges the gap between emergency shelter and independent living. While you are in transitional housing, you typically have your own room or small unit, but you are part of a larger community and receive ongoing case management. This structure gives you stability while you work toward employment and save money for your own place.
The organization also helps people move into their own apartments by connecting them with landlords willing to rent to people with housing instability, helping with security deposits or first month's rent when possible, and providing ongoing support to help you stay housed. This is sometimes called rapid rehousing — the idea is to get you into permanent housing quickly rather than keeping you in shelter long-term.
What it costs and whether there are income limits
Most of Open Road Merrifield's services are free or very low-cost. Emergency shelter and job training programs do not charge fees. Transitional housing may have a small rent contribution based on your income, but the organization works with people who have little or no income.
There are no strict income cutoffs that automatically disqualify you. Instead, Open Road serves people experiencing homelessness or housing instability regardless of income. If you are working and earning money, you may be asked to contribute what you can toward housing costs, but inability to pay will not prevent you from receiving services.
How Open Road fits into the broader Fairfax County support system
Open Road Merrifield is one organization within a larger network of housing and social services in Fairfax County. Other organizations handle mental health services, substance use treatment, healthcare, and other needs. Open Road's case managers know these other organizations and can refer you if you need services they do not provide directly.
If you are unsure whether Open Road is the right fit, you can also call 211 — a free helpline that connects people to local resources. Dialing 211 from any phone in Virginia connects you to a real person who can tell you about housing, employment, food, healthcare, and other services in your area. They can tell you whether Open Road is currently accepting new participants and what other options exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be homeless right now to use Open Road's services?
No. Open Road serves people who are homeless, at when ready risk of losing housing, and people who are recently housed but unstable. If you are worried about losing your apartment or are living in an unsafe situation, you can contact them to discuss what support might help.
What if I have a criminal record or bad credit?
Open Road works with people in all circumstances. Having a record or poor credit does not disqualify you from job training or housing programs. The organization and their employer partners understand that people experiencing homelessness often have complicated histories, and they focus on your current situation and willingness to move forward.
Can I stay in Open Road's shelter while I look for a job?
Yes. Emergency shelter is designed to provide stability while you work on longer-term solutions, which often includes job searching. Case managers can connect you to job training and employment support while you are staying in shelter.
How long can I stay in transitional housing?
Transitional housing typically lasts from several months to two years, depending on your situation and progress. The goal is to help you move into your own place, so the length of stay is based on how long it takes you to find work, save money, and prepare for independent living.
What if I live outside Fairfax County?
Open Road Merrifield serves Fairfax County. If you live elsewhere in Virginia or another state, call 211 to find similar organizations in your area. Most regions have nonprofits offering shelter, job training, and housing support.