A recent grant from the United Way of Greater St. Louis & Starbucks Foundation Partnership will help address the lack of access to internet and phone service for people challenged by poverty and HIV. As the pandemic is slowly coming to a close, we must continue to fill a serious gap highlighted over this past year. The digital divide left many of our clients in isolation. The majority can't afford internet services. Some don't even have phones. Thank you for this support.

We are pleased to announce that the Bayer Fund has selected DOORWAYS as a 2021/2022 grant recipient. This partnership allows us to respond to food insecurity needs for people who battle HIV and the effects of prior homelessness and continuing poverty, by providing them with food cards to local grocers.

Our goal is to help those who are HIV positive achieve undetectable status to improve their health outcomes and quality of life but, also, reduce the spread of HIV in the community. To do that, our clients need a stable environment in which they are able to manage their HIV medication regimen. Housing and food security are the first two resources that must be established to begin this process.

This award is even more critical today following the pandemic. Among our clients able to work, most are employed at low-wage jobs in the service industry, these types of jobs were the first to disappear when the pandemic caused business shutdowns. While their housing through DOORWAYS remains stable, food insecurity escalated with loss of income and the closure of many local food banks.

DOORWAYS clients seeking employment will be able to access resources vital to a successful job search thanks to a grant by the St. Louis Philanthropic Organization. Coming from homelessness, our clients need essentials that many of us take for granted but create barriers to employment. These funds will provide grooming supplies, haircuts, and bus passes as well as any required clothing for those starting a job--such as a uniform and shoes.

Every year, our program coordinators refer 180 clients to the DOORWAYS Employment program. Often our clients, who live in poverty, may have limited education and no work history. Staff work closely with clients who are struggling to stabilize their lives by helping them to develop an resume, and through coaching, help guide them through the job search process. In the past year, we assisted 70-80 people in securing a job. Thank you, St. Louis Philanthropic Organization!

We are grateful for a recent grant from the Staenberg Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. This funding supports the Beyond Tonight capital campaign for DOORWAYS to build a new campus with 360 degrees of ONSITE services. Thank you to: Michael Staenberg, President; the Board of the Staenberg Family Foundation; and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

We’re happy to share that on-site volunteering has returned! After more than a year, we’re re-opening our doors and welcoming back our amazing crew of volunteers who help enhance the quality of life for clients. Interested? E-mail Patrick Young at pyoung@doorwayshousing.org if you want to join in on the fun and make a difference. A full list of opportunities can be found here.

Recently volunteers from the Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church built a garden at our Family Residential Complex. The residents will take care of watering--and harvesting the vegetables. We are grateful for the volunteers time and financial contribution to purchase the supplies.

It's always a great day when we welcome new members to our team. This month we have two new staffers joining us in the Emergency Housing program.

DOORWAYS has created a public community group on Facebook to help connect clients with job opportunities and social services. We'd love your help! If you know places that are hiring - let us know. Click here and share the link to our community group.