FOCUS Offers A ‘Gateway’ For Previously Incarcerated Individuals in St. Louis

“I am often humbled by the people who walk through our doors,” said Father Matthew Mcdonald, the new Center Director for FOCUS Gateway located in St. Louis.  

“Over this last summer, one Apostle Community Kitchen participant did not know he could also obtain food from our pantry. As I watched him pick out his food, I noticed he took very little. When I said he could take more, his response was he would only take what was needed.”

FOCUS Gateway sees people daily who are in need, or are facing crisis and need help from their neighbors. We are there to be that neighbor. Not only does FOCUS Gateway support people by providing meals and food, but through our partnership with a crisis nursery, we make sure families can remain together and be supported through challenges. 

FOCUS Gateway City is also about to launch a Re-Entry program for people who were previously incarcerated. The program is designed to provide a successful transition by assisting the men in job placement, and providing them other supportive services. Programs like this directly address recidivism rates and promote less crime, less victims and less burden on an overwhelmed justice system. 

On #GivingTuesday, a local fundraising campaign was launched to directly support the current and growing programs FOCUS Gateway City provides. In one day alone, we raised over $2,000 toward our cause! Please help us continue to share our campaign, and help us reach our end of year goal of raising $14,000. 

Thank you for your gifts which help make our program goals a reality.