DOORWAYS Adopts New Mission Statement

With the start of the agency's 2025 fiscal year on July 1, 2024, DOORWAYS adopted a new mission statement:

DOORWAYS improves the quality of life of people affected by HIV,

illness, and poverty, advancing their stability and well-being

through housing, health, and empowerment services.

This new statement was developed after nearly a year of work among a wide array of stakeholders focused on designing the agency's 2024-2028 strategic plan.

"One of our strengths in these 36 years has been DOORWAYS' ability to adapt to changing environments," stated Opal M. Jones, President & CEO. "This new statement reflects our expanding services to meet growing needs among our clients." 

Jones is referring to the increasing challenges being experienced by clients. In addition to battling homelessness, HIV, and poverty, more clients are also dealing with mental health issues and/or substance use conditions, which make stabilization impossible. Without stability, it is nearly impossible for a person to manage a medication regimen to achieve the viral suppression required for improved individual health and ending new cases of HIV.

The opening of the new Jefferson Avenue Campus is an example of this agility. DOORWAYS has created a pioneering model of care by co-locating 360 degrees of services with housing. "Using housing as the base for the service delivery network removes access and navigation barriers, giving our clients a clear path to the stabilization that supports advanced health outcomes, quality of life, and independence," explained Jones. 

We Appreciate Our Grantors, Funders, and Supporters - "St. Louis Summer Fun Edition"

DOORWAYS is grateful for the exceptional support it receives from the St. Louis community, enabling us to share the region's many treasures with our residents. For over a century, The Muny has been a cultural institution, and we are thrilled to announce that they have generously donated tickets to all seven shows of their summer season for our residents at Cooper House. Additionally, the St. Louis Cardinals kindly provided tickets to a recent game against the Atlanta Braves (which we won!), treating residents of Allen House, Cooper House, and our Residential Program to an enjoyable evening at Busch Stadium.

We were also delighted to welcome friends from St. Louis City SC to our Jefferson Avenue Campus this month. During Pride month, their staff came together to fill colorful bags with personal hygiene products donated by their staff for DOORWAYS residents. Their enthusiasm was contagious, resulting in over 100 bags filled with essentials. We are deeply appreciative of the St. Louis community's ongoing support, both financially and through in-kind donations, which enable our residents to participate in wonderful community experiences that enrich their lives.

Accomplishments and Staff Honors

DOORWAYS is always proud of our staff and pleased to acknowledge staff who are recognized for their professional accomplishments.

2024 MRA Administrator of the Year - Jess Cox

Congratulations to our incredible Director of Behavioral Health, Jess Cox, who was honored with the Missouri Rehabilitation Association - Administrator of the Year Award at the annual conference in June. This prestigious honor recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding service toward meeting the needs of their clients and staff.

Jess was nominated by Pat Plumley, Chief Program Officer. “Since I hired Jess in 2020, she has shaped the DOORWAYS Behavioral Health program to meet the needs of our clients,” noted Pat Plumley, “Every day I witness that she accomplishes her counseling and administrative responsibilities with incredible competence, compassion, equity, and integrity. She is a fluid leader, moving seamlessly between her many spheres of responsibility.” 

Data supporting the program's success includes at least two personal assessments from July 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, in which 60% reported a clinically significant positive change in their well-being and 85% reported an overall positive change in their well-being. Of those clients who completed at least two assessments for depression, 49% reported a clinically significant positive change in depressive symptoms and 31% reported remission of depressive symptoms.

These results were achieved by Jess, two full-time counselors, and two Saint Louis University doctorate students in psychology who served 150 clients. Together they delivered an incredible 1,779 behavioral health services: 1,337 individual and group services, 442 pre-enrollment services, case consultations, assessments, and advocacy services. DOORWAYS housing program staff, additionally, completed 154 behavioral health screenings during client intake interviews, referring 90 clients to the Behavioral Health Program. 

According to Opal M. Jones, DOORWAYS President & CEO, “Jess embodies the characteristics expected for an administrator and counselor of the highest quality. With great talent and compassion, she responds to the unexpected challenges faced by our clients who are people battling poverty, mental health conditions, substance use, stigma, isolation, and illness.” 

Thank you, Jess, for being an invaluable resource for our residents and clients at DOORWAYS, as you are celebrated by those in the rehabilitation community whose dedication and compassion inspire those around them to reach new heights and achieve their dreams.

Congratulations again, Jess!

Volunteer "Corner"

DOORWAYS is fortunate to have a diverse and dedicated group of volunteers who generously contribute to our mission. Our volunteer community is comprised of individuals from various social, religious, cultural, and educational backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to giving back.

We welcome volunteers who come to us as individuals, as well as those who join us through church groups, friendships, student or professional organizations, and corporate employee resource groups (ERGs). These dedicated individuals and groups help us achieve our goals by lending their time and talents to support our residents and programs.

For more information please contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator: Jerry Dickneite at jdickneite@doorwayshousing.org.

Steve's Hot Dogs Fundraiser

Please plan to join us and the Friends In Deed group on Thursday, August 15 at Steve's Hot Dogs - South Grand. DOORWAYS is participating in Steve's Hot Dogs - Dogs for Dollars Fundraising Program. Steve's will donate 15% of total dine-in and carryout sales from 4 pm to 9 pm.

The Friends in Deed group will be hosting a Happy Hour from 4 pm to 7 pm, offering a complimentary cocktail or drink for the first 25 guests in addition to a drawing for a "Dog Days of Summer" themed basket, featuring four tickets to a Cardinals game on September 10.

Steve's Hot Dogs

3145 South Grand Blvd

63118

DOORWAYS Annual Meeting - Tuesday, September 10

The DOORWAYS Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to gather, honor, and thank retiring board members, volunteers, and donors who support DOORWAYS throughout the year. Formal invitations will be sent out soon.

This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, September 10, in the Community Room at the Jefferson Avenue Campus. The evening begins at 6:00 PM with a reception with beer, wine, soda, and passed hors d’oeuvres. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM with a brief program to welcome new board members and say thank you to members who have completed their terms. 

One of the highlights of the evening is the presentation of agency leadership awards. This year’s honorees are Reverend Dr. Jeff Moore, who will receive the Michael Edlin Award; The Generosity Award will be presented to Michael Brave. The Volunteer Award will be given to Lyla Daus. CONGRATS to all the honorees and thank you to the many volunteers who help throughout the year to further our mission.



Tower Grove Pride

DOORWAYS will be co-hosting a booth at Tower Grove Pride with Regions Bank, during the weekend of September 28-29. The festival is open Saturday, September 28, running from 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday, September 29 from 11 am-5 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to stop by and visit us.

ByoBOO Trivia - Saturday, October 19

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Friends In Deed ByoBOO! Trivia Night returns on Saturday, October 19 at the Glazier’s Union Hall on Hampton Ave. near I-44.

Watch this space as more details about this popular Fall/Halloween-inspired trivia night are posted.

Current Job Opportunities

DOORWAYS is always looking 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: