Growth is an absolute necessity if we are to achieve our vision that all individuals with mental illness and co-occurring disabilities are able to lead meaningful, self-directed lives in homes of their choice with the supports and services they need.  By the very nature of our non-time-limited housing programs, the only way we can eliminate the need is to expand our capacity to serve more people.

Pathway Homes is in the midst of several strategic growth initiatives.  We've proven that we have the model that works.  We've invested in resources and technologies that ensure our programs are of the highest quality and executed efficiently.  Now we embark on a multi-faceted expansion effort to serve more individuals in need.

We have received a $1 million program grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  With this funding, Pathways will work in partnership with Christian Relief Services (CRS) to bring 55 new consumers into our supported living programs.  CRS will acquire scattered-site housing locations, and Pathways will provide the supportive services for these newly-housed individuals.  This grant is new Continuum of Care program funding, and was made possible through our involvement in the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness.

This month, we opened our second fully-supported Assisted Living facility.  Working in partnership with state and local agencies, Pathways debuts the first such housing facility in Prince William County. 

Growth occurs in other areas as well.  As part of our Acquisitions and Development initiative, we constantly work to identify additional sources of support.  Like a snowball rolling down the mountain side, we can exponentially increase our impact in the community by increasing the number of partnerships and bringing new supporters to the table.  Numerous program grant funding applications are being researched, written, and submitted.   

Lastly, we grow through replication.  Pathway's proven model of permanent supportive housing is being re-created in Central Florida to meet the needs of chronically homeless individuals in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.  The fact that our success led community leaders to call on us for help is a testament not only to the effectiveness of our partnerships, but also to the hard work of so many dedicated staff, past and present.

Sincerely,

 

Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC

President and CEO