Celebrating Hope and Service: DOORWAYS Annual Meeting

The DOORWAYS Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, September 15, in the Community Room at the Jefferson Avenue Campus. This event, a DOORWAYS tradition for the last 33 years, provides an opportunity to honor and thank those who support DOORWAYS throughout the year, announce the new board slate of officers, welcome new board members, and acknowledge members whose terms are completed. Each year, the occasion highlights and celebrates exceptional volunteers through the agency’s top honors: the Michael Edlin Award, the Generosity Award, and the Volunteer Award.

Steven M. Scott was honored with the 2026 Michael Edlin Award for his thoughtful and steady leadership as DOORWAYS Board Chair during a period of significant growth. During his tenure, Elliott Place and BOCA Pharmacy opened at the Jefferson Avenue Campus, expanding supportive housing and access to healthcare. He also helped advance major initiatives, including the Key Clinic and renovation of Cooper House. Steven’s service reflects his deep commitment to the mission of DOORWAYS and the people we serve.

Phillip Zinser, M.D., was honored with the Generosity Award for more than 20 years of dedicated support of DOORWAYS as a donor, Board member, and Finance Committee member. As an infectious disease physician, Phillip has spent his career caring for people living with HIV, bringing expertise and compassion to his work. Phillip’s humility, generosity, and commitment to service have strengthened DOORWAYS and touched countless lives.

Tim Bono was honored with the Volunteer Award for his dedication to BYOBOO Trivia Night, which he has helped create and lead since 2019. Each year, Tim develops every round of trivia, along with music clips, handouts, and many behind-the-scenes details that make the event such a success. His countless hours of preparation have helped raise critical funds for DOORWAYS while bringing our community together for an evening of laughter, friendly competition, and fun. Tim’s talent, generosity, and dedication have become an important part of BYOBOO and the DOORWAYS mission.

Michael Mullins was honored with the Excellence in Service Award for more than 16 years of dedicated service to DOORWAYS. Michael began as a volunteer before joining the staff in 2010 as Development and Communications Coordinator. Since then, his work has touched nearly every part of our Advancement efforts, from donor communications and the DOORWAYS DISPATCH to social media, events, and countless projects behind the scenes. Beyond his core responsibilities, Michael frequently collaborates across other departments to support agency-wide initiatives, bringing extraordinary institutional knowledge, steady commitment, and a spirit of teamwork to every project.

Known for his patience, dependability, kindness, and constant willingness to lend a hand, Michael rarely seeks the spotlight, but his contributions are felt throughout every corner of DOORWAYS.

James Hinrichs, M.D. received the Special Commendation Award in recognition of his significant contributions, exceptional service, and leadership at DOORWAYS. A former Board member, past Michael Edlin Award honoree, and volunteer Medical Director for both the Key Clinic and Cooper House, Jim has shared his time, expertise, and compassion with our organization for many years.

His vision and generosity helped make the Key Clinic a reality, creating an important healthcare resource for DOORWAYS residents and the broader community. Through his leadership and commitment to compassionate care, Jim has made a lasting impact on countless lives, and on DOORWAYS as a whole.

Places for People and Tony Hilkin were honored with the Partnership Award for their support of DOORWAYS’ behavioral health services. Through this partnership, DOORWAYS participants can often access psychiatry services within days rather than waiting months for an appointment. Together, connecting nearly 50 people living with severe and persistent mental illness to psychiatric care since the partnership began.

Beyond timely access, the partnership provides meaningful collaboration between the clinical teams, strengthening care and helping better support the complex needs of the people DOORWAYS serves. We are grateful to Tony, Dr. Colleen Donovan, Martha Orlet, and the entire Places for People team for their compassion, expertise, and commitment to person-centered care.

A Fresh Look for the Mama/Kaya Learning Center

For more than two decades, the Mama/Kaya Learning Center has been a favorite space for kids to learn, get creative, do homework, and spend time together. Since the family facility opened in 2001, the Learning Center has continued to evolve along with the children who use it, and sometimes, a well-loved space just needs a little refresh!

Thanks to Evernorth, Sherwin-Williams, and the St. Louis REALTORS® Association, the Learning Center recently got a fun new update.

Evernorth volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help clean out and prepare the space, while the Sherwin-Williams team brought in playful new colors to brighten the room and inspire creativity. The St. Louis REALTORS® Association helped put the finishing touches on the project with a generous donation and plenty of hands-on help moving furniture and reorganizing the room.

Now the Learning Center is ready for its next chapter of homework, games, creativity, and connection. We’re grateful to these partners for helping keep this special space fresh, welcoming, and ready for whatever comes next!

Volunteer Connection

At DOORWAYS, we’re especially grateful for the many hands and hearts that support our mission, whether through individual service, group and corporate teams, pantry support, event crews, or our dedicated weekly volunteers.

Throughout the year, we’ve been continually inspired by the dedication and compassion of our volunteers. Their time on our campuses, supporting staff, connecting with residents, and encouraging hope among program participants makes a lasting impact every single day.

Thank you to every volunteer who supports DOORWAYS, allowing us to focus on our mission of providing Housing, Health, and Hope. Thank you for showing up, pitching in, and making a difference. We couldn’t do it without you!

Volunteer "Night of Gratitude" Appreciation Event

Invitations have gone out for our upcoming "Night of Gratitude" Volunteer Appreciation Event on Thursday, October 8, at the Jefferson Avenue Campus. We look forward to gathering with our dedicated volunteers, staff, and friends to celebrate another year of providing housing, health, and hope throughout our community.

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception featuring light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, followed by a special program at 6:00 p.m. to honor and recognize our extraordinary volunteer community.

The evening will celebrate five outstanding honorees:

• Tutor of the Year: Andrew Cresciullo — for his dedication to tutoring children at Mama/Kaya.
• Spirit of Service Award: Julie Ertmann — for her ongoing volunteer service at the Jefferson Avenue Campus.
• Youth Enrichment Award: Bright Roots (Saint Louis University) — for creating an ongoing calendar of activities for the children at Mama/Kaya.
• Partner in Service Award: Sherwin-Williams — for their generous volunteer support and hands-on transformation of the Learning Center.
• Heart in Action Award: Todd Alan — for his extraordinary generosity, steadfast service, and commitment to bringing support, resources, and joy to DOORWAYS residents and the broader community.

Tower Grove Pride

DOORWAYS is proud to be part of Tower Grove Pride on Saturday and Sunday, September 26–27, at Tower Grove Park, again this year, celebrating community, connection, and inclusion.

The festival features live entertainment, local vendors, delicious food, community organizations, and the colorful Pride Parade on Sunday. Be sure to stop by the DOORWAYS booth in the PURPLE SECTION (TGP Pride map here) near the Grand Ave entrance to say hello, play our game, and share in the community spirit!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW - ByoBOO Trivia - Saturday, October 24

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Friends In Deed ByoBOO! Trivia Night returns on Saturday, October 24, at the Glazier’s Union Hall on Hampton Ave. and I-44.

Purchase your tickets and start gathering your team! Individual tickets are $25, or you can reserve a full table for 8 for $200.

Support the event. Sponsorships begin at $1,500, with Round Sponsorships available for $500.

Seats fill up incredibly fast every year, so don't wait to lock in your seats!

For sponsorship information, contact Jim Timmerberg at jtimmerberg@doorwayshousing.org

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW at www.doorwaysevents.org

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: