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Rounding Up the Fun at
the 2015 Summer Cookout
Home is Where You Hang Your Hat was the theme for Pathways' 27th Annual Summer Cookout. On May 30, 2015, cowboys and gals moseyed on down to Nottoway Park in Vienna. More than 100 individuals enjoyed perfect weather, great food, fun games, milestone recognition, and amazing raffle prizes!
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A Closer Look at: Mental Illness and Housing
by Eleanor Vincent, EdD, CSAC
Some of us may be familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. According to Maslow, if these basic needs are not met, the individual's physical and psychological growth will be stunted, he/she will fail to thrive and will eventually die. If these basic needs are met, the individual will be able to focus on growing in the other areas in this hierarchy: safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self- actualization.
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It's a good day at Pathway Homes.
A good day is any day that we move closer to realizing our vision: a future in which all individuals with mental illnesses and co-occurring disabilities are able to lead meaningful, self-directed lives in a home of their choice, with the supports and services they need. Some days we take one step forward; some days we take a step backwards. Today, I am elated because we are about to take 55 steps forward!
We are preparing to welcome 55 more men and women into our Pathway Homes family. Thanks to the one million dollar grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we have the additional capacity to extend our services and case management to 55 new residents in permanent supportive housing.
Pathway Homes worked in partnership with the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) to obtain the HUD funding, and continues this collaboration to identify potential residents. According to the stipulations of this particular grant, candidates for these additional housing units must meet the HUD definition for current or chronic homelessness, within the jurisdictional boundaries of Fairfax County. In addition, those candidates who also present with a serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder are given priority status.
The funding expands our capacity to provide the on-going supportive services that, combined with stable housing, are proven to encourage and support individuals on their road to recovery. We are in the process of hiring five new counselors to meet the needs of the additional residents. As a result, our new residents can look forward to weekly visits for case management support and skill-building services.
Christian Relief Services, a long-time partner of Pathway Homes, is working to secure the additional properties, mostly in the Annandale, Falls Church and Alexandria area. There will be some shared housing, based on availability, compatibility, and resident need, but the majority of these new residents will enjoy a single-occupancy unit to call their very own. Working together, our two agencies are not just providing housing, we are saying to those we serve, "Welcome to your new home." We anticipate the first of the new Pathways residents to move into their new homes by the end of August.
At Pathway Homes, Opening New Doors is not just a symbolic theme; we are literally opening new doors for people in need. I want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring about this wonderful opportunity. When we all work together, the community wins. This is our mission in action; this is how we are going to achieve that vision where all individuals in need have a place to call home. Sincerely,
Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC
President and CEO
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In His Own Words: Pace
The In His/Her Own Words segment usually features an individual's personal journey of recovery in their own words. This quarter, we present an original poem from one of our consumers. Aaron Lichtenstein is an avid runner and even finished a marathon.
Pace
by Aaron LichtensteinFrom the beginning of the race Until the last 200 meters You think about the future; Your mental vision of the run between the present and the end
>> READ MORE
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First Steps to Pathways Benefit Breakfast a Rousing Success!
 Moving. Powerful. Eye-opening. Those are just some of the words used to describe Pathway Homes' first ever Steps to Pathways Benefit Breakfast, held on May 13th at Old Town Hall in Fairfax. The event was a complete sell-out, with 150 people in attendance to celebrate the achievements of those we serve, to learn about the role of Pathway Homes in the community, and to raise long-term financial support for programs and services.
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Works from twenty artists were featured in this year's Summer of the Arts Exhibition, which ran from July 8th through the 12th. The annual show displays the creativity of many of our community members who are living with mental illness. This year's theme was A Vision of Hope. Well over one hundred people attended the artists' reception that was held July 11th, including art lovers, community partners, residents, staff, local artists, friends, and families.
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i-Waste: The Importance of E-cycling
Technology is a part of our daily lives - cell phones, fitness trackers, televisions, laptops, printers, tablets, routers, streaming devices - you can't go anywhere without being surrounded by electronics. Technological devices are ever-improving with the latest and greatest hitting the shelves every six months or so. Whether you're an early adopter, or you hang on to your devices until the end, at some point we all upgrade to the next big thing. What happens to our old electronics? Here are a few e-cycling facts as well as options for responsibly disposing of your unwanted or unusable electronic devices.
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Pathways Briefs: In Other News
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