News from Pathway Homes, Inc.January 2016
In This Issue
CARF Accreditation: No recommendations!
Spotlight: Virginia Housing Development Authority
Thanking Our Donors
Thanking Our Volunteers
Holiday Greeting Card Contest
In Her Own Words: My Faith is My Strength
Advocacy in Action: Legislators Come to Pathways
A Closer Look at Developments in Mental Health
Annual Resident Holiday Party
Getting Connected With Family Group
Upcoming Dates to Note
CARF Accreditation: No recommendations!

For the fourth time, Pathway Homess has been awarded 3-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This time, however, the 3-day survey of our agency resulted in No Recommendations.  A "No Recommendation" finding from CARF is rare and a true compliment to the quality work each staff person at Pathways does every day!  

 

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Sponsor Spotlight: VHDA
  
The Virginia Housing Development Authority works with a variety of partners, such as Pathway Homes, Inc. in Northern Virginia, to fulfill our mission to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. 

Thanking Our Donors 

 

Pathway Homes greatly appreciates all our donors who have made it possible for the individuals we have the privilege of serving to make great strides in their recovery.  Your support in 2015 provided housing, furnishings, housewares, activities and services to 467 individuals reclaiming their lives.
 

 

>> READ MORE

Thanking Our Volunteers
  
Volunteers fill many needs and many roles at Pathway Homes. We really cannot do what we do without the support of our amazing volunteers. On behalf of all the individuals we serve, we say "Thank You."

Annual Holiday Greeting Card Artwork Competition
  
In what has become a much anticipated annual tradition, Pathway Homes celebrates the considerable talent of in-house artists in our annual Holiday Card Competition. The competition is always fierce, and as in previous years, Pathways' resident artists entered spectacular designs for this year's contest.
5 Small Ways to Help the Planet
Green Pathways
Along with personal goals, consider making a resolution to be Greener in 2016 - a simple resolution that is easy to keep! To help you do so, here are 5 small ways you can help the planet this year:

Pathways Briefs: In Other News 


Celebrating Staff
Employee of the Quarter
New Hires
Quick Links...
    
  
Happy New Year.

As we begin a new calendar year, it's customary to also consider the start of a new year as a new beginning for other aspects of our lives. Some will begin to focus on a healthier lifestyle; some will commit to boosting their career; others may seek to get their finances in order. Whatever the choice, it's a great time to choose to focus on a better and brighter future.

Pathway Homes is doing the same. In fact, once every five years we commit to seeking a brighter future in a significant, planned, and strategic way. We know our vision is to create 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. But how do we know how best to see that vision come to fruition? By creating a strategic plan, implementing that plan, continually monitoring that plan, and every 5 years revising that plan to keep it relevant and focused on our mission.

This year we are engaging in that strategic planning process again. Since 2011 we have made significant strides in service delivery and business efficiency, guided by the last 5-year plan. Now, it's time to identify the strengths of the organization and the opportunities to apply those strengths to a broader marketplace, to help more individuals with serious mental illnesses. It's also a time to discuss external threats that impact efforts to fulfill our mission, so we are better prepared to respond to change. Lastly, we will look at organizational weaknesses that keep us from reaching our full potential, either in delivering the highest quality services, serving the most individuals possible, operating with the highest levels of efficiency and satisfaction, recruiting and retaining the most qualified and dedicated staff, or obtaining the broadest support for our mission from volunteers and financial contributors.

Our next strategic plan will help us project our future, and manage our growth. Pathway Homes is at a turning point. Our model of service delivery is recognized for its success and efficiency both nationally and internationally. Our agency currently has footprints in two states, Virginia and Florida. Our focus on the future will guide us as we make critical decisions pertaining to our infrastructure, capacity, and development.

Work on this new plan has already begun. A number of consultants have been retained to help us gather information and analyze specific aspects of the organization. Strategic planning meetings have been held with the Board of Directors and with Pathways staff. Additional meetings are being scheduled with consumers, family members, and partner agencies in order to obtain further insights as our agency moves forward. And the entire effort is being paid for with grant funding obtained from the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

Pathway Homes is where it is today, in part, as a result of the hard work put forth to implement our previous strategic plan. I am optimistic for our future, and grateful to lead this amazing team of dedicated professionals. With dedication of purpose and forethought of planning, there's nothing we can't accomplish together.

Sincerely,
Sylisa's Signature
Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC
President and CEO
In Her Own Words: My Faith Is My Strength 
 
By Cindy Scott

I would like to tell you how much my life has changed since I received housing through Pathway Homes 17 years ago.  Before I came to Pathway Homes, due to some serious medical issues and tragic circumstances, I lost my house and was forced to live with various relatives and friends.  I bounced from house to house for quite a while. This was a very difficult and stressful time for me and a time when I felt very alone.  I needed the stability, safety and comfort of my own home, but couldn't get it at that time. With the help of the church I was able to get an apartment, but then my health issues worsened and I lost my housing again. I went to the homeless shelter, then to transitional housing and finally to a very nice condo provided by Pathway Homes.
  
>> READ MORE
Advocacy in Action: Virginia Legislature comes to Pathway Homes
 
President and CEO Sylisa Lambert-Woodard welcomes Senator Creigh Deeds to Pathway Homes.
2015 was an exciting year of advocacy for Pathway Homes, culminating a visit from Senator Creigh Deeds and members of the Mental Health Services in the 21st Century Subcommittee.   The visit was a direct result of testimony provided to the subcommittee last summer by Vice Chair of the Pathways Board of Directors, Reverend Jennifer McKenzie.
Pathway Homes at the NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo
The 23rd annual NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo took place January 8th and  9th, and Pathway Homes was invited to exhibit.  Following the news coverage of Senator Creigh Deeds' mental health care reform committee visiting our office on November 12, 2015, NBC4 asked us to participate in this year's expo.  As a result, Pathways had a tremendous opportunity to promote the work we do to an extremely large audience.

 
"It Never Rains on the Help the Homeless Walk"
More than 270 people gathered at Stevenson Place on Saturday, October 24th to take part in Pathways' 16th Annual Help the Homeless Walk.  It is said that "It never rains on the Help the Homeless Walk."  It's been the truth for the past 15 years, it proved to be true again this year. All funds raised support of Pathways' mission to make available to individuals with mental illness and co-occurring disabilities, a variety of non-time-limited housing and services to enable them to realize their individual potential.
 
A Closer Look at Developments in the Mental Health Field

By: Ashley Inks, LPC
 
Each year, advances in the field of technology change the way we work, interact, and live. Some of these advances are also showing promise for behavioral health research and treatment.  For example, results from some of these studies are being used to formulate new, and possibly more effective, interventions that can reduce the amount of time between the onset of a therapeutic intervention and the time an individual can expect relief from symptoms.
  
Residents Celebrate the Holiday Season
 
On December 10, 2015, Pathway Homes' residents poured into Good Shepherd Church in Burke for the Annual Resident Holiday Party.  The room was beautifully transformed into a winter wonderland with silver and blue balloons, snowflakes and twinkling lights. The mood was jolly and joyful and smiles, enthusiastic handshakes, and pats on the back were plentiful as guests caught up with old friends and met new ones.
 
>> READ MORE  
Getting Connected With Family Group

The Pathway Homes Family Group wrapped up the year with a renewed focus on tapping into family members' talents and expertise.  The last meeting of the year was held on October 21, 2015 and featured longtime Pathways family members, Sharon and Steve Canner.
  
Upcoming Dates to Note
  • February 15:  President's Day - Pathway Homes administrative office will be closed
  • February 18:  Steps to Pathways information session at Pathways' administrative office (10-11 a.m.)
  • April 21:  Steps to Pathways information session at Pathways' administrative office (10-11 a.m.)
  • May 8:  Mother's Day
  • May 19:  Steps to Pathways Benefit Breakfast - Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, Fairfax (8-9:30am)
  • May 30: Memorial Day - Pathway Homes administrative office will be closed