September 2015                                                                                          www.doorwayshousing.org

JumpstartBackpackNational Night Out Event  

Our Annual National Night Out event, "Rock the Block Party," was a success. This year we hosted a parent only bingo hall featuring single and special game prizes and popcorn machine. The children participated in a watermelon eating contest, face painting, double dutch, four square, limbo and bounce house. The DJ played several "throwback" hits paired with some new songs for the younger generation. It was clear that our families were positively engaged. Our volunteers truly worked to create a enjoyable experience for all involved.

National Night Out creates a safe place for our families who cannot attend summer camps, take family vacations or simply need a reason to get out of the house and enjoy their community. The afternoon ended with our annual cake walk where every household was provided with a baked good donated by our supporters. Each child was given a small care package made up of school supplies and toiletries. To learn how to get involved in volunteer events like this click here. 
CooperHouseCelebrationStaff attend United States Conference on AIDS   

Staffers Teri Dunn, Pat Plumley and Tracy Unger pose for a quick selfie at the USCA
Staff traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the USCA and glean information on how to improve the services we offer. It was an educational experience which offered plenty of new ideas. Some of the highlights included:
  • The transgender population is struggling to be seen in the U.S.  Seventy-one percent of Trans people living in Washington, D.C. are HIV+.
  • Employment services are key to the future of the disease.
  • With the increase of infections in people over 50 and below 25 years-old, organizations are going to need to look for unique ways to serve these special groups.  

It was interesting and validating for staff to see that DOORWAYS is not only a provider but in many ways we are at the cutting edge of how we care for those we have been entrusted to serve.    

Recently our Jumpstart Program , funded in part by the City of St. Louis, received a grant from the Assistance League in an effort to support the 18 Jumpstart families we serve within city limits.  
The families were assisted with school uniforms and other essential items needed for children to attend school. 

The Assistance League was generous to provide two school uniforms per child and additional items such as socks, underwear and basic toiletries. The Jumpstart Program provides life skills, case management and housing counseling to eligible families in St. Louis, MO.    
VoiceYourChoiceMeet Our New Team Mates



Lawrence Miskel, Human Resources & Volunteer Manager, is one of DOORWAYS' newest employees. Prior to DOORWAYS he was employed as the Human Resources Manager with the City of Ferguson, MO and the City of St. Louis Dept. of Personnel. 

Lawrence lives with his husband, son, three cats, three fish and a dog.  





Kerry Higdon, RN is the Nursing Supervisor at Cooper House. Kerry worked as a nurse at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in the Long Term Rehabilitation Unit working with patients with paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputations, burns, HIV/AIDS, and traumatic brain injury.

Kerry and her partner have 2 grown daughters, 2 young grandsons, and 2 dogs. She rides a motorcycle and kayaks in her free time.  






Nia Nyamweya, Volunteer Associate, is serving one year as a Loretto volunteer for DOORWAYS. Nia, who is from Maryland, graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies in May 2015 and moved to St. Louis a month ago. 

Nia loves to dance salsa, go to the beach and spend time with family and friends. 

UpcomingEventsUpcoming Events                                                   (click pictures for more information)
     

Wizard of Oz Movie Night / Sing-A-Long
 + Sunday, October 4  5:00 PM
Mark your calendar, dust off your ruby slippers and grab your broomstick - We're off!  DOORWAYS presents "The Wizard of Oz" and you're invited!  Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (1920 S. 7th Street) is the place for a night of entertainment and fun.  Come one, come all.  Dress up, bring the munchkins and sing-a-long.  For more info and to RSVP click here.   

 
News Golde n Table

Save the Date! 
The 15th Anniversary RED gala  
will be Feb. 6, 2016.
 
FOR A LIMITED TIME:
This special offer to secure a VIP "Golden Table" at RED 2016 (before the tickets are even available) is just for you! 
 
From now until October 14, only 100 raffle tickets will be sold with a prize of ten tickets to the annual RED black-tie gala featuring: a VIP reception, cocktail reception, preferred seating, dinner, dancing, and valet parking in the elegant Ballroom of the Four Seasons.  The prize is valued at more than $4,000, but raffle tickets are only $100 each.  (A minimum of 50 tickets must be sold for the raffle prize to be awarded; no more than 100 tickets will be sold.) The winning ticket will be selected the evening of October 14 by this year's gala co-chairs Mary and Steve Schoolman in the presence of previous gala chairs.  To learn more, click here.      
CHCTEAM DOORWAYS is Back!

 
Walk or Run any Race!
Get the Early Bird Discount!  
TEAM DOORWAYS will once again be participating in the GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend.  Make plans now to represent DOORWAYS by walking or running the 5K, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon or Full Marathon. 

Pay nothing now - you have until April 1, 2016 to reach your minimum fundraising goal of $100.  Click here for more information or to sign up.   
To see all of our upcoming events please click here.
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D OORWAYS is an interfaith non-profit organization which provides housing and related supportive services to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by HIV/AIDS.