About The DoorWay
- Our Mission
- Our Vision
- Our History
- Our Staff
The Vision of The DoorWay
In 1981, after a year of searching and prayer, Joyce Erdner felt that the Lord was leading her to work with youth, particularly in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse, because “kids were dying and families were being destroyed”. Following this realization, doors began to open: North Allegheny asked her to perform an assessment to see if there was a drug problem in the school; She was invited to be part of WQED’s Chemical People program; She was granted access to the local courtroom and developed the internationally utilized Adolescent Intervention Program; She became involved at the state and national level, lobbying for legislation and organizing parents. Through these experiences, she learned of the many factors that lead to drug use and addiction, from peer pressure, low self- esteem and boredom, to family issues, abuse and lack of purpose.
Through this, the purpose and vision of this ministry was forged:
Individuals transformed through the inter-working of Christ to overcome their particular circumstances and transform their world.
• Youth are living out a vibrant relationship with Christ, committed to zero use of drugs and alcohol, abstaining from sex and other destructive behaviors and actively changing their worlds.
•Families are restored and Christ-centered, providing homes that are a nurturing environment for children and a sanctuary for them to run to, and are serving as reproducible examples to families around them.
•Addicts transformed through a personal relationship with Christ to overcome their addiction and be restored, making restitution, become productive members of society and being living examples of God’s power to transform lives.
Organizational Vision
• Board – Godly, Christian men and women who actively support the mission and vision of The DoorWay through daily prayer, financial support and active advocacy.
• Facilities
- Office and Meeting Facility
- Training and Activity Center
- Recovery, 1/2 Way, 3/4 and transitional housing
- Youth Housing
- Youth Camp
• Staff - People of faith, called and equipped by God to serve youth and adults in need and support the work of The DoorWay, working in unity and in adequate numbers to ensure the success of the work God ordained.
In 1982, Joyce Erdner became president of “Together With Youth”, an organization dedicated to fighting alcohol and other drug addictions among
Due to the size of the building, the amount of renovation needed before it could be opened to the public, and the cost of upkeep and maintenance, “Together With Youth” merged with “The DoorWay”, a street outreach program centered in Pittsburgh. The two organizations, reorganized under the name, “The DoorWay”, committed to work as partners to combine what each had done in the past in order to form a stronger and more effective organization.
Throughout the 1990’s, The DoorWay continued to grow and expand its services to the at-risk and in-crisis in Allegheny and surrounding counties. Then in January of 1999, the congregation of Allegheny Community Alliance Church voted to disband and graciously donated their church building to The DoorWay. That donation has set the stage for 
expanded ministry, outreach and intervention which will position The DoorWay to continue to creatively meet the needs of those at-risk and in-crisis .
Throughout its history, The DoorWay has made a positive difference in thousands of lives thanks to the concern and support of area churches, organizations and private individuals.
The DoorWay's full time staff have a combined 67 years of experience working with youth.
Joyce Erdner - Executive Director
Joe Welsh - Associate Director
David Erdner - Director of Resource Development