News from Pathway Homes, Inc.July 2014
In This Issue
Award Season is in Full Swing
Anchors Aweigh! 2014 Cookout
Pathways Inaugural MRT Class Graduates
Robinson HS Steps Up Again
In Her Own Words: Changing Negative Thoughts to Positive
Computer Training Center Up and Running
Summer of the Arts 2014
Planning Ahead with Advanced Directives
A Closer Look at Anxiety
Green Pathways: Greener is Healthier
Pathways Briefs
Upcoming Events
Award Season is in Full Swing
 

The staff, volunteers and residents of Pathway Homes received a great deal of acclaim and recognition for their collective efforts recently.    
Paletti Family and Abigail Denecke
The Paletti Family, Suzane, Anthony, John and Faith, were nominated by Pathways Volunteer Coordinator, Abigail Denecke, for Annual Volunteer Fairfax Awards.

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Anchors Aweigh!
 
On May 31st, 2014, at Nottoway Park in Vienna, this year's Cook-Out took off with over 200 individuals enjoying perfect weather, great food, fun games, milestone recognition and amazing raffle prizes!  Many attendees enjoyed catching up with friends.  
Gelila Habte and Ron Kane show off their new tattoos.
Gelila Habte and Ron Kane show off their temporary anchor tattoos.
   

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Pathways' Inaugural MRT Class Graduates

 

Pathways' inaugural MRT class graduation
 
Eight individuals from a variety of Pathways programs were the trailblazers for a new weekly psychotherapy group that kicked off in June 2013.  The Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) group was provided as a complement to the full range of supportive services that Pathways offers to all the individuals it serves.  The group met weekly for 90 minutes over nine months and culminated with the graduation of three individuals: Michael Wolff, Lawrence Staves, and Roger Brown, in May this year.
  

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Robinson High School Steps Up Again This Year
  
On April 29, 2014, Robinson High School delivered 20 welcome home baskets for new residents of Pathway Homes. Megan Gaeta's class has been putting together care packages for the last five years.

  

welcome home baskets for new residents
 

 

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 Technology for the Times
Campaign Update
    
$280,000 raised so far! 
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It's a beautiful, sunny day outside my window today with temperatures predicted to hit the 90's. Longer days and warmer weather mean that many of us will begin to engage in activities we equate with living "the good life".

 

At Pathway Homes, we recognize the importance of "the good life" and invest in helping the individuals we serve and the staff that support them in living a healthy, balanced life. As such, our Recovery approach reflects the thinking that activities which focus on meaning and self-actualization are therapeutic and contribute to an individual's mental health, and overall sense of well-being. We are particularly proud of the special activities Pathway Homes organizes that offer the individuals we serve the chance to expand their horizons and experience a more fulfilling, balanced life. 

 

In this edition, you will read about our annual cook-out, which took place in May, the opening of our computer training center in June, and our second annual "Summer of the Arts" Exhibit scheduled for August. These activities provide individuals we serve opportunities to find happiness and fulfillment in ways that are meaningful to them, and oftentimes provide the only way for some to participate in many of the activities we often take for granted. 

 

I thank you for your continued support in promoting "the good life" for those we serve, and wish each and every one of you a healthy, happy, and safe summer season! 

 

Sincerely,
Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC
President and CEO
In Her Own Words: Changing Negative Thoughts to Positive

 

By: Margaret Anthony

   

"I'M BEAUTIFUL! I'M FANTASTIC!  No one is going to get me down today!"  Those were the words of a female speaker who taught a seminar on motivation.  She said that she looked into the mirror each morning and repeated those words out loud.   She was very enthusiastic.  

 

That was years ago, but for some reason those words came to mind when I thought about writing this article.  I don't repeat them every day.  But why shouldn't I?  Why shouldn't we all repeat those words to ourselves each day?  Why not feel good about ourselves?  

Pathways Computer Training Center Up and Running

 

Joyce Laing
Joyce Laing custom-designed the training center curricula to meet the needs of individuals served by Pathway Homes.
On June 3, 2014, Pathway Homes opened the doors to its new Computer Training Center, also known as The Learning Center. Ten Pathway Homes' residents registered for the June session and successfully completed the first cycle of classes. They received their certificates at the end of June. Ten more registered for the July classes and are doing fantastic!  Pathway Homes was fortunate to have recruited nine wonderful volunteers to facilitate the classes, which will run on four-week cycles. The first full day of class ended with the volunteers receiving high fives and whoops of delight from students as they progressed through the computerized self-paced courses.

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Summer of the Arts 2014

"Courage and Determination" is the theme for Pathway Homes' second annual Summer of the Arts Exhibit, scheduled for August 6-14.  We look forward to presenting an eclectic collection of landscape, portrait, and abstract paintings, drawings, pieces of jewelry, and works in other artistic media.  This year we are thrilled to announce that the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton has been chosen as the location to best display the talents of our residents. It is our sincere hope that you will join us, either for the Artists Reception on Saturday August 9th, or that you will visit the Exhibit sometime during its 9-day run. 

  

Planning Ahead with Advanced Directives
Toni Moore Acti-Kare
Toni Moore, owner of Acti-Kare in Fairfax County, provided training on advanced directives.
 
Pathways Family Group hosted Toni Moore, who provided invaluable information and practical tips during her presentation on Advanced Directives on June 25, 2014. The much-anticipated training provided an overview of Advanced Directives including the different names used to describe this important document; The session also included a review of the nationally-recognized 5 Wishes and a presentation of case scenarios followed by a discussion of current cases involving various types of Advanced Directives.
A Closer Look at Anxiety

 

Photo Courtesy Kevin Dooley via Flickr
Photo courtesy: Kevin Dooley via Flickr

By: Anita Robinson, LCSW

 

Anxiety is a common experience universal to all persons. For many individuals, this sense of fear is accompanied by physiological symptoms such as sweaty palms, heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats), rashes, upset stomach, or even pain. Despite the unpleasant nature of anxiety, for most individuals it is not harmful, nor does it impair functioning. In fact, anxiety actually serves a useful purpose. Anxiety is the body's way of alerting us to possible threats so that we can assess the potential impact and choose how to respond.

Green Pathways Greener is Healthier!

3 Ways to Go Green and Boost your Health

   

We all know that being green makes for a healthier, happier planet; but did you know it can also make for a healthier, happier you?  Here are a few ways you can have a more eco-friendly lifestyle and improve your health at the same time.

Pathways Briefs: In Other News 

Upcoming Events 

 

July 8 - Computer Training Center Classes Begin

July 17 - Steps to Pathways Information Session, 10-11 a.m. at Pathways' Administrative Office

August 5 - Computer Training Center Classes Begin

August 6 -14 - Summer of the Arts Exhibit at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center
 
August 9 - Summer of the Arts Artists Reception, 6 - 8 p.m. at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center
 
August 21 - Steps to Pathways Information Session,10-11 a.m. at Pathways' Administrative Office
 
September 18 - Steps to Pathways Information Session, 10-11 a.m. at Pathways' Administrative Office
 
 
October 17 - Wellness and Recovery Conference, 9 am to 3 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College.