Elliott Place Groundbreaking Ceremony

On May 18, the Jefferson Avenue Campus took the final step towards completion when the organization hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II – Elliott Place to be built on the 3-acre campus. Elliott Place will feature 39-units of permanent supportive housing with an emphasis on housing clients with acute behavioral health or substance use issues. This is the agency’s 9th residential property. The construction of Elliott Place will complete DOORWAYS’ $40 million expansion project.

The event began on the Observation Terrace with coffee and Pharaoh’s donuts followed by a brief program in the Community Room. Gene Pulliam, Board Chairperson, welcomed the guests and invited board members, Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh and Rev. Kathleen Wilder to deliver the blessing. Speakers included Mayor Tishaura Jones, Health Director, Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo-Davis, who commented on the significance of the new campus, saying "Every client, every member of our community is being told through action, you are deserving." Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, Ward 14 spoke and welcomed everyone to the neighborhood, the program concluded with remarks from President and CEO, Opal M. Jones who during her remarks said, "What we have to offer here is more than a program, it's a family." Donors, board members, staff, partners, clients and government officials then walked over to the construction site for the Groundbreaking Ceremony and photos.

The Elliott Place project would be not be possible without our Development Partners: BSI Construction, RISE, and Trivers and our Funding Partners: Advantage Capital, The Affordable Housing Commission, Midland States Bank, MSD Project Clear, MHDC, Saint Louis Mental Health Board, and the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

The Elliott Place Groundbreaking made the news! Click here to view the KMOV 4 story.

KMOV 4 News Story here

2023 DOORWAYS Staff Picnic

DOORWAYS staff from across all programs and both campuses came together the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend for the DOORWAYS Staff Picnic an annual event that began in 2013. The picnic is planned and executed by the Party Planning Committee which is comprised of staff from several separate departments within the organization. The committee is charged with creating an interactive and fun event for the staff to enjoy.

This years' theme was "Field Day", taking its cues from traditional school field day activities. Hosted in a large pavilion in Forest Park, staff mixed and mingled as they were served a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs (including vegetarian options) and traditional picnic sides. Several board members were on hand to help prepare and serve including Michael Brave, Jonah Houts, Gene Pulliam, and Rev. Kathleen Wilder.

A quick ice breaker game after lunch helped staff to join up in teams and connect on subjects other than work to get to know one another better. The teams then regrouped to participate in the afternoon games such as an egg n' spoon race, a water based "beer pong" game, and potato sack races. For those who were looking for less physical options, 2 large sets of Jenga style towers were available. The afternoon wrapped up with a game of tug of war between the 4 teams, with the two winning teams going head to head at the end.

The Annual Staff Picnic has become a way to help unite the staff as the agency continues to grow and expand to thank them for what they do every day for our clients and for the compassion they exhibit throughout the year. 

GIVE STL Day Thank You!

Give STL Day, an annual 24-hour on-line day-of-giving event, powered by the St. Louis Community Foundation, celebrated its ten-year anniversary and has raised more than $22 million since its inception. This signature event was designed to ignite the spirit of giving across the St. Louis region.

DOORWAYS is proud to have been a part of Give STL Day since its premier in 2014. This year Give STL Day raised over $3.8 million to support 1,052 non-profit organizations in the St. Louis region.



Give STL Day has helped DOORWAYS raise more than $28,500 over the last ten years. Thank you to those who have supported Give STL Day, DOORWAYS, and the many St. Louis non-profits that create better communities and provide hope to those they serve.

Keystone Society

Appreciation Event

Invitations have gone out for the annual Keystone Society Appreciation event hosted at the home of Board Treasurer and Keystone Society member, Jonah Houts. This event provides DOORWAYS with an opportunity to thank those who support our mission with an annual gift of $1,200 or more.

Generous support from Keystone Society members, more than $200,000 annually, ensures that resources will be there for those who desperately need them. If you would like to become a member of our Keystone Society please contact Development Director Jim Timmerberg at jtimmerberg@doorwayshousing.org or 314-328-2705

Queen of Hearts Raffle...Continues

The Famous Bar, tucked away just a few blocks from the intersection of Chippewa and S. Kingshighway, has designated DOORWAYS as the recipient of 25% of the final jackpot from their Queen of Hearts Raffle*. Raffle tickets are sold every Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 PM for $1.00 each, there is no limit to the number of tickets that may be purchased. You must be present to win.

Please visit and support those who support us! 

The Famous Bar

5213 Chippewa Street

St. Louis, MO 63109

*Queen of Hearts Raffle – using a full deck of 52 cards, each card is placed in a numbered envelope displayed on a board. Every Tuesday players can purchase raffle tickets on which they write their name and select a number that corresponds with the numbered envelopes on the board, the raffle tickets are placed in a raffle barrel. At 7:00 PM a raffle ticket is drawn, the person whose ticket is drawn instantly wins $20. The numbered envelope matching the number on the winning ticket is opened, if it’s the Queen of Hearts the winner takes the pot, if not, then all the raffle tickets are disposed of and the game resumes the following Tuesday till the Queen of Hearts is found. You must be present to win.