News from Pathway Homes, Inc.January 2015
In This Issue
Pathways CEO Wins Regional Award
Spotlight: Virginia Housing Development Authority
Our Supporters Transformed Lives in 2014
Fond Farewell: Paul Andresen
Season of Giving a Tradition at Stevenson Place
In Our Own Words: Thank You!
Help the Homeless Walk a Huge Success
A Closer Look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Pathways 2nd Annual Holiday Card Art Competition
Annual Resident Holiday Party: A Festive Feast
5 Ways to Stay Warm
Family Group Update
Pathways Briefs
Upcoming Dates to Note
Pathway Homes CEO Wins EXCEL Award 
 

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement named Pathways' President and CEO, Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, a recipient of the 10th Annual Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award.  This competitive award recognizes and spotlights outstanding leadership among Washington-area nonprofit chief executives.  
Pathways' Board Chairman Dan Gray congratulates Sylisa after she was named a winner of the EXCEL Award for outstanding nonprofit leadership.

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Sponsor Spotlight: VHDA
  
 
  
The Virginia Housing Development (VHDA) continues to work with a variety of partners such as Pathways to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. 

Thanking Our Donors and Volunteers 

 

Pathway Homes greatly appreciates all our donors and volunteers who have made it possible for the individuals we have the privilege of serving to make great strides in their recovery.  Your support in 2014 provided housing, furnishings, housewares, activities and services to 438 individuals reclaiming their lives.
 
Thank You Donors

 

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Fond Farewell
Cherry Blossoms   
  
Pathway Homes remembers Paul Andresen, who passed away during this past quarter.

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Stevenson Place
  
The staff at Stevenson Place created another season of holiday cheer through festive activities to celebrate the season.  Planning for the third annual 12 Days of Giving kicked off in November, and incorporated old favorites and new additions such as the "Winter Olympics."
 Technology for the Times
Campaign Update
    
$326,794 (85%)
raised so far! 
The three-year, $385,000 campaign kicked off in April 2012.
Quick Links...

Sylisa Lambert-Woodard     
  
With the start of a new year comes the start of a new legislative session in Virginia.  The policies, regulations, and budgetary decisions made in Richmond have long-lasting impact on not just Pathway Homes, but also on the entire spectrum of care providers.  Ultimately, they affect the individuals we serve and those we would like to serve.

The Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) was formed in the fall of 2013 to represent the interests of private sector, community-based mental health and substance abuse providers across the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families, and the quality of life in local communities, through providing efficient and effective community-based behavioral health services.  Pathway Homes has been a member of the VACBP since its formation, and I am proud to serve as the association's Vice Chair.

During the 2014 General Assembly session, the VACBP engaged legislators in both the House and Senate to call for budget amendments to improve and promote greater use of effective public-private partnerships in the delivery of behavioral health services.  Though the final language approved by the General Assembly was changed from the specific amendments we advanced to the conference committee, we are pleased with the conversations around the statehouse that elevated the issue among our elected officials.

As we look to the upcoming session, we continue to promote policies that provide consumers across the Commonwealth choices among service providers, and reward those providers for quality and innovation.  Community-based early intervention and prevention services, such as Mental Health Skill Building Services, Intensive, In-home Services, In-Home Support Services, and Therapeutic Day-treatment Services need to be supported locally where available, and expanded statewide.  Currently, Virginia does not place enough of an emphasis on these lower-cost services that allow consumers to function productively in their communities and reduce the need for more expensive crisis mental health, medical, social services, and criminal justice system costs.

Private providers have specific concerns that at least 2,300 people (and likely many more) cannot receive the care they need due to changes the state has made to Mental Health Skill-Building Services.  Additionally, because of arbitrary reimbursement rate reductions, the other services have become largely uneconomic to provide.  This prevents consumers from receiving them and costs the taxpayers more due to the consumption of higher cost services, such as emergency room visits.

We are fighting this fight because the VACBP recognizes there are currently no meaningful replacement services or supports for people with serious mental illnesses. As a member agency, we at Pathways voice our commitment to improving the commonwealth's behavioral health systems, and call upon our legislators to do better for all Virginians.

Sincerely,
Sylisa's Signature
Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC
President and CEO
In OUR Own Words: We Salute You! 

  In Their Own Words Contributors

For anyone asked to speak publicly or who has written their memoir, you know that it can be both rewarding and challenging. It takes a great deal of courage to publicly share, in some cases, our darkest moments. However, those that have make the choice to do so inspire so many individuals and provide them with hope that recovery is possible. When individuals share their personal journey of recovery, they also share the message that those who are striving towards recovery are on the right path. The message of recovery and resiliency in effect becomes the gift that keeps on giving.

In particular we would like to thank those who shared their stories "In Our Own Words" in 2014.

  

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Pathways' Annual "Help the Homeless Walk" Again a Huge Success

   

October 25th turned out to be a beautiful day for a walk.  Bright sunshine and cool, crisp temperatures greeted more than 200 participants who gathered for Pathways' 2014 Help the Homeless Community Walk.  The theme for the walk was "Use Your Feet to Lend a Hand", calling attention to the simple ways we can make a difference in the lives of the homeless. This year's event raised awareness and over $20,000 towards ending homelessness.  

A Closer Look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 

 

By: Eleanor Vincent, EdD, CSAC

 
Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD, is a depressive illness related to increased sensitivity to seasonal changes in some individuals.  SAD affects over 10 million Americans each year.  The typical onset of this illness begins in the early thirties. Symptoms usually begin in the fall, manifest in winter and resolve in spring.

  

Holday Card Competition Pathway Homes 2nd Annual Holiday Card Art Competition

 

After a second year of viewing the wonderful talent displayed at the Pathways Summer of the Arts Exhibition, we continued the journey to tap into, and display the considerable talent of in-house artists at Pathways in our annual Holiday Card Competition.  We were not disappointed!

Holiday Party at Good Shepherd
Annual Resident Holiday Party: A Festive Feast
 
On December 4, 2014, Pathway Homes' residents were out in force again this year at the annual Resident Holiday Party. The mood was festive and cheerful. The room was beautifully transformed into a winter wonderland with hanging ornaments, snowflakes, wreaths. and garland. Smiles, enthusiastic handshakes, and pats on the back were plentiful as guests caught up with old friends and made new ones.
Green Pathways

5 Ways to Stay Warm Without Turning Up the Heat

   

When the winter winds howl outside, it's easy to give in to the urge to turn up the thermostat.  However, there are easy ways to keep warm without making your heat pump do overtime.

  Family Group Update

 

After taking the summer off, Family Group wrapped up the year with the annual presentation from Pathways President and CEO, Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, on the state of the agency.

  

Pathways Briefs: In Other News 

Upcoming Dates to Note

  • February 16:  President's Day - Pathway Homes administrative office will be closed
  • February 19:  Steps to Pathways information session at Pathway's administrative office (10-11 a.m.)
  • March 8:  Daylight Savings Time begins
  • March 19:  Steps to Pathways information session at Pathway's administrative office (10-11 a.m.)
  • April 16:  Steps to Pathways information session at Pathway's administrative office (10-11 a.m.)
  • May 10:  Mother's Day
  • May 13:  Steps to Pathways Benefit Breakfast - Old Town Hall, Fairfax (8-9:30am)
  • May 25: Memorial Day - Pathway homes administrative office will be closed
  • May 30*: Pathways Annual Cookout. *Invitations will go out mid-April.