Resident Holiday Gift Giving

Every day DOORWAYS provides HOUSING, HEALTH, and HOPE for more than 3,500 individuals affected by HIV. This time of year, however, can be difficult for many of our residents and families. You can bring much needed cheer to families in need during our Resident Holiday Gift Giving drive. A simple act of kindness can make a tremendous impact on a person's life this holiday season.

It's joyously simple: Follow the link, review the list, select a resident and/or family, purchase the gifts (there is a $50 limit per gift) and deliver wrapped and tagged with the resident number to our DOORWAYS Jefferson Avenue Campus (1101 N. Jefferson Avenue, 63106) by Wednesday, December 6. We ask that, if possible, resident selections are made by Monday, November 27 so that we can work on filling any necessary gaps.

On behalf of our residents and staff, thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity, now and throughout the year. Best wishes from everyone at DOORWAYS as we enter the holiday season.

P.S. Don't forget those Pre-Black Friday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales!!!!

To select a resident...Click Here!

Spotlight - Allen House

The October 2022 opening of the new 55,000 sq. ft. Jefferson Avenue Campus in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood in North St. Louis not only expanded agency headquarters but, also, marked the launch of a pioneering model of care designed to accelerate client stabilization.

All of our housing and empowerment services—and services from outside partners—are now located at one location. Allen House, with 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments, has also been built on the campus. By co-locating housing with 360 degrees of supportive services, we have removed the access and navigation barriers that can delay progress.

The Jefferson Avenue Campus offers a dynamic and responsive environment to address multiple life-limiting challenges simultaneously: housing instability; food insecurity; untreated substance use/mental health conditions; limited access to healthcare, income, and education; plus minimal exposure to the responsibilities associated with independent living.

Nurturing these social determinants of health at the same time enables clients to steadily build a strong framework for improved health and quality of life. This stable foundation is essential for successfully managing an HIV treatment plan, which helps clients achieve undetectable status. Viral suppression not only improves wellbeing for the individual but, also, renders the virus untransmittable. Stopping the spread of HIV is the only way to bring an end to this community health epidemic affecting the poor and homeless—a vulnerable and disenfranchised population.

With Allen House celebrating its first resident on November 16, we want to share some milestones for the Comprehensive Flexible Housing Program.

• 83% of the residents are virally suppressed.
• 79% of the residents are participating in an HIV treatment program.
• 80% of the residents have remained housed since move-in and are beginning lease renewals.
• Of the 10 residents who moved out, 30% (3) graduated into permanent housing. (Of the remaining residents, 2 passed away and 5 were moved into more appropriate housing programs.)
• Nearly half of the residents enrolled in the DOORWAYS Behavioral Health Program.
• 82% (41 residents) enrolled in the DOORWAYS Career Services & Job Placement Program. Of the 18 who secured employment, 72% retained the job past 90 days.
• 100% of residents have taken advantage of the Provisions Pantry to fill gaps in food and goods supplies.

“We are very pleased with the life improvements our clients have experienced in this first year of operation,” noted Opal M. Jones, DOORWAYS President & CEO. “This innovative service-model combined with individualized assistance from dedicated care coordinators offers clients a seamless service experience.”

This evaluation of year one performance also highlighted areas that need more resources. Increased numbers of clients are battling substance use. Even with treatment, sobriety is difficult to maintain, particularly when combined with mental health conditions, difficulty managing anger, and partner violence. Allen House staff follow Housing First principles (address challenges after stabilizing housing) and use a Trauma-Informed Care approach (understanding past and present trauma informs the design of a care plan with a healing orientation). “Our focus is to provide the residents with an individualized mix of services that helps them move towards their personal goals,” said Jones. “It is humbling that our clients accept us as part of their journey to a better life."

Elliott Place Construction Update

It's been a few months since we broke ground on Elliott Place, the next phase of the DOORWAYS 2.0 project on the Jefferson Avenue Campus. The construction of the building is picking up speed. The elevator shaft has been built and the prefabricated exterior walls of the first floor are placed. The progress being made onsite seems to be happening in the blink of an eye. The future of this next phase of the Jefferson Avenue Campus development along with our clients futures look bright!

The Elliott Place resident building when finished, will consist of 39-units of permanent housing, and is scheduled for completion late in 2024.

35th Anniversary "Spirit Week"

During the first week of November, the DOORWAYS staff celebrated our 35th Anniversary during a spirit week. Staff munched on a STL Pretzel Boys' delicious 35-shaped pretzel, went on a wild scavenger hunt for 35 tokens, tested their knowledge with 35 trivia questions about the last 35 years, and crowned off the week with an epic balloon drop with prizes and goodie bags with 35 pieces of candy!

World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit

The first World AIDS Day took place in 1988, providing a platform to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and honor the lives affected by the epidemic. Over the past 35 years, we have witnessed significant progress in addressing HIV/AIDS thanks to advancements in medical research, increased access to treatment and prevention, and a broader understanding of the virus. We have also seen a tremendous global advocacy community unite to take on challenges and hold institutions accountable for ensuring access to these advancements.

“The 35th commemoration of World AIDS Day is an opportunity to reflect on our journey, acknowledge and celebrate the progress we’ve made, and recognize the challenges remaining,” said Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “However, many people with HIV still lack access to essential healthcare and support services. We must strive to increase equitable access and outcomes for HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and care services. The battle is far from over.”

This year’s theme, “World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit,” pays tribute to those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. The impact of this epidemic has been profound, affecting individuals, families, and entire communities across the globe. Remembering the lives lost not only honors their memory but also emphasizes the urgency of our commitment to end the HIV epidemic.

For more information click here.

AVAILABLE NOW! - Affordable Housing Assistance Program (AHAP) Tax Credits

DOORWAYS was recently awarded an allotment of Missouri AHAP tax credits that are used as an incentive for a Missouri business and/or individual to support agencies providing affordable housing. This state tax credit is earned by an eligible donor for the donation of cash, equity, services, or real or personal property to DOORWAYS, thereby assisting in our mission of providing safe and affordable housing coupled with wrap-around supportive services to people living with HIV. The AHAP tax credit for an eligible donor equals 55% of the total value of the donation to DOORWAYS.

Eligible Donor: To be eligible the Donor is subject to Missouri tax from business activities performed in the state of Missouri. More specifically, a Donor must be classified as one of the following: a corporation, a sole proprietorship, a farm operation, an individual reporting income from rental property or royalties, a small business corporation, a partnership, an individual partner in a partnership or shareholder in an S-Corporation or a public or private foundation.

It is simple to participate, make a gift of cash or stocks to DOORWAYS. You will be provided the tax credit certification application to complete, sign and have notarized – we have a notary on staff and we will file on your behalf with the state. The state will send you a tax credit certificate to file with your Missouri taxes. The deadline for submitting a tax credit certification application is April 30, 2024.

RETRO RED 2024 - A Disco Ball

The stage is set for the annual DOORWAYS RED Gala on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the Chase Park Plaza. 

Inspired by the legendary New York City nightclub, Studio 54, RETRO RED - A Disco Ball will debut our very own Studio 35 in celebration of thirty-five years of providing housing, health and hope. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this elegant and glittering evening and prepare to DANCE!

The RED Host Committee is in formation, if you would like to be involved and help make RETRO RED a huge success by supporting the event, helping with the Raffle and Live Auctions, inviting your friends to attend or build a table and have everyone join in the fun, please plan to attend a Host Committee Meeting and reception on Wednesday, December 6 in the Community Room on the Jefferson Avenue Campus.

RSVP to join the committee to Jtimmerberg@Doorwayshousing.org or call Jim at 314-328-2705.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased at www.doorwaysred.org.

Sponsorships available by contacting Director of Development, Jim Timmerberg at jtimmerberg@Doorwayshousing.org.

Past Photos from MasqueRED 2023

Warm Hearts/Warm Feet

Until the end of November, grab a pair of socks for yourself or as a Christmas gift at Fuego/Attic Salt West County, and they will donate a pair of socks to DOORWAYS. Also, every dollar donated in the store equals a pair of socks donated!

For the past two years during the month of November our friends at Attic Salt West County Center have held their sock donation drive/promo with DOORWAYS chosen as their charity. Last winter DOORWAYS received several boxes of assorted socks, t-shirts, and gloves which were distributed to clients as they came in for services.



Thank you to the team at Attic Salt for continuing their generosity for 2023!

Queen of Hearts Raffle...The Queen was finally found!

The Famous Bar, tucked away just a few blocks from the intersection of Chippewa and S. Kingshighway, designated DOORWAYS as the recipient of 25% of the final jackpot from their Queen of Hearts Raffle. Beginning at the of April, Raffle tickets were sold every Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 PM for $1.00 each during the event.

Who would have guessed that it would have taken until November to find the Queen of Hearts card. That Queen is tricky! The final jackpot was over $6,000!

Thank you to The Famous Bar!

Please continue to visit and support those who support us!

Current Job Opportunities

DOORWAYS is always on the lookout for compassionate and dedicated people to join us in serving the community. Our services and programs continue to expand and so do our staffing needs. Below is a list of current open positions available agency-wide:

A full list of job opportunities and their descriptions can be found here.