Gateway 180

I have had the great honor to work at Gateway 180: Homelessness Reversed for three years, so please excuse my enthusiasm and pride. Gateway 180 is the largest emergency shelter for women, children and families in Missouri. Located just three blocks from City Museum near downtown St. Louis, this 25-​year old agency is dedicated to making sure that homeless families in the shelter are placed into housing within 30 days or less. I recommend that anyone interested in working to end homelessness attend a Gateway 180 «Community Luncheon.» These are free (RSVP needed — 314−231−1515) and held on the third Friday of each month from 12p-​1pm. These luncheons are for those who want to learn more about St. Louis’ fight to end homelessness and Gateway 180’s role in that work. You will enjoy meeting like-​minded people and having a chance to see first-​hand how an organization works collaboratively with leaders and other agencies to strategically address the issue. The organization and its leadership are focused on ending homelessness in our community (not managing it). Gateway 180 has 110 beds and is open 24-​hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 300 persons have been placed into housing this year. The organization also has an extensive food program, serving over 150,000 meals annually and providing bag lunches to those in need. At a cost of $ 22/​person per day, the shelter is one of the most efficient in the nation, operating at 30% of the average daily cost of emergency shelter nationally. Its referral and placement rate and average length of stay position the organization as one of the best-​performing shelters in the nation. Every child and family deserve a home, and Gateway 180: Homelessness Reversed believes that it is better for the child, better for the family, and better for our community when homeless people are rapidly re-​housed.