Keystone Appreciation Event

The DOORWAYS Keystone Society annual appreciation event was held earlier this month at the Central West End home of Board Treasurer Jonah Houts – thank you! The event, which was attended by more than 80 guests, provided an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those individuals who are a vital part of the DOORWAYS family. While enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres from Orlando's Catering and mixing and mingling with others who believe in our mission, guests received an update from Tammy Laws, CFH Director of the Comprehensive Flexible Housing program, about the successes and challenges of operating Allen House. Tammy was proud to report that all 50 units are occupied. Opal Jones, President and CEO, also spoke and provided an update on her advocacy work on both the Federal and State level regarding potential budget appropriations.

Several Keystone Legacy Society members were in attendance as well. Keystone Legacy Society members are donors who have designated DOORWAYS in their estate planning. Making a planned gift provides the agency with confidence and a sense of security for the future. A copy of the Keystone Society Legacy brochure can be found here.

Keystone Society members generously provide, more than $300,000 annually, to ensure that resources are available for those who desperately need them. Keystone Society memberships begin with an annual gift of $1,200 or more. If you would like to join the Keystone Society or are interested in learning more about becoming a Keystone Society Legacy member please contact Development Director Jim Timmerberg at jtimmerberg@doorwayshousing.org or 314-328-2705.

Provisions Pantry Partnership with Food Outreach

By addressing nutrition insecurity, agencies seek to improve health and well-being for individuals living with HIV. Food Outreach, the only provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling for people living with HIV and cancer in Missouri and western Illinois, and DOORWAYS, the only organization in the Saint Louis area whose sole mission is providing affordable housing and supportive services to people living with HIV, are partnering to launch a program to combat nutrition insecurity. The collaboration will help ensure that community members living with HIV and who transition from homelessness to a DOORWAYS supportive housing program will receive medically tailored meals needed to improve health status—the foundation for building a more self-directed life. 

With a focus on nutrition’s role in client stabilization, this partnership is operated in the DOORWAYS Provisions Pantry located at the Jefferson Avenue Campus. Through the experience and expertise of Food Outreach, DOORWAYS clients in many of the agency’s housing programs will have access to food goods and nutrition classes. Together, these agencies are providing centralized food and nutrition services focused on meeting community members where they live. 

Years of research and experience confirm that HIV and nutrition insecurity are entwined in a vicious cycle. Nutrition insecurity is associated with reduced HIV viral load suppression and suboptimal HIV treatment adherence. Adopting a food is medicine approach (e.g., good nutrition) is crucial for managing HIV infection. Similarly, housing is healthcare. It is nearly impossible to manage an HIV medication regimen without stable housing. The alliance between the agencies underscores the complementary nature of their missions in serving without discrimination a diverse population at the intersection of scarcity—including nutrition hardship, housing, utility distress, social isolation—and illness associated with a diagnosis of HIV.

“People who are food and nutrition insecure suffer disproportionally from chronic diseases like HIV,” said Opal M. Jones, President & CEO of DOORWAYS. “We’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects of nutrition insecurity among our clients and believe tackling this issue is key to building the foundation for improved health and life outcomes. Partnering with Food Outreach will ensure we are offering an effective food and nutrition program.”

The full story of this partnership can be found here.

KMOV 4 News Story here

Marching with Pride

On Sunday, June 25 several staff members, current and former board members along with supportive volunteers marched down Market Street behind the DOORWAYS parade banner in the Pride St. Louis - Grand Pride Parade all the while tossing beads and mini-beach balls adorned with the DOORWAYS logo to the crowds that lined the nearly mile-long parade route. While the weather created a challenging environment, both spectators and participants enjoyed participating in the parade and representing DOORWAYS. DOORWAYS is a proud supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community.

For a street side view of the parade through KSDK Channel 5 click here. The DOORWAYS contingent appears around the 2:13:00 mark.

Wells Fargo Pride Connection ERN

Wells Fargo's Pride Connection Employee Resource Network visited the Jefferson Avenue Campus for a day of service last Friday. The 28 attendees were welcomed with an introduction to the mission of DOORWAYS, followed by a tour of the campus. After lunch, the Pride Connection members participated in a service project, assembling hygiene kits with personal notes of encouragement that will be given to clients who come in

for housing services.

Clementine's Creamery

Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery volunteered at Allen House this past week. The group assisted with light sweeping and mopping in the lobby and intake rooms while others helped organize the Allen House storage room and tidy-up the staff breakroom. A big THANK YOU to Clementine's for taking the time to help make things clean and neat for the residents and our staff.

DOORWAYS Annual Meeting

The DOORWAYS Annual Meeting is an opportunity to honor and thank the individuals who support DOORWAYS throughout the year. More information about the Wednesday, September 6th event will be coming soon.

BYOBoo Trivia

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Friends In Deed BYOBoo! Trivia Night is scheduled for Saturday, October 21. We'll have more details about this popular Fall/Halloween inspired trivia night as it gets closer.

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