|
History |
|
|
| After witnessing nationwide fear and prejudice that led to a child named Ryan White being removed from his classroom, and after seeing people reduced to poverty, isolation, and desperation by a social reaction to a devastating illness, community and faith leaders in the greater St. Louis and bi-state region sought to demonstrate their shared belief in compassionate care. Representatives from the Catholic Archdiocese joined a local rabbi, ministers from Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ congregations, and other area leaders to form DOORWAYS, an organization dedicated to serving those living with HIV/AIDS. |
 |
|
As these leaders struggled to decide what services would best respond to an unmet need, they came to recognize that stable and secure housing would provide an appropriate response. Their early conviction, that safe housing is the basic prerequisite for the effective treatment, management, and prevention of the disease, has since been born out through research. For those affected by this illness, housing is healthcare.
Today, the goals of our organization remain true to this original mission: To increase access to safe, affordable housing for people with HIV/AIDS and, in doing so, to improve access to health care and social services, increase compliance with individual treatment plans, reduce further transmission, and enhance the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS.
|
|
|
|
