Serving the community since 1981.
How it started
A mother looking for a place for her adult son. He wanted a place he could call home. There were no housing options so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She brought in friends and community leaders and, in 1981, created Pathways. Renee Bigler’s life on Earth has passed, but her legacy will forever live at Pathways.
How it’s going
Today, Pathways has 4 residential homes with various levels of care. Our local non-residential clients as well as family and friends receive care through our support programs and groups. Both residential and non-residential clients are able to take advantage of our Day Program at The Club with a variety of activities and meals provided.
Executive Director
Peter J. Tesei
Peter has dedicated over 37 years to public service and community leadership. He served as First Selectman of Greenwich, Connecticut, for 12 years (2007–2019), overseeing key initiatives in municipal governance, fiscal management, and community development. Prior to that, he held leadership roles as Chairman of the RTM District 9 and Chairman of the Board of Estimate & Taxation. Beyond public office, Peter has been actively involved in several nonprofit boards and community organizations, demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement. He has been leading Pathways since November 2021.
Board of Directors
Tom Athan, President
Craig Warwick, Vice-President
Richard Kremheller, Treasurer
Katherine D. Barba, Secretary
Leo Arnaboldi, III
Grace Aslanian
George H. Brown
Alison Farn-Leigh
Daphne Lamsvelt-Pol
Michael Grant
Beverly Orthwein
Tracy Schmidt
Charles W. Tricomi, Jr.
Chetan Vaid, MD
Jenn Warwick
Margaret A. Warwick
Advisory Board
Robert Arnold
Linda Applegarth, EdD
Betsy Grant
Susan Sternberg
Dave Welchman
Founder
Renee Bigler (1930 – 2022)
In the News
-
![]()
Annual Mental Health Gala Honors Paul Dalio with Inaugural Mental Health Champion Award
August 25, 2024
-
![]()
Revolutionizing Mental Health Care at Pathways
July 29, 2024
-
![]()
The Price of Healing: Investing in Mental Health for the Vulnerable in Our Community
May 11, 2024
-
![]()
Providing Shelter for 'Good' People
April 28, 2024
-
![]()
Silent Suffering: The Unseen Crisis of Severe Mental Illness Support in Our Communities
March 25, 2024
-
![]()
Families Dedicated to Pathways
July 28, 2023
-
![]()
"There is No Place like Home"
May 12, 2023
-
![]()
Helping People with Serious Mental Illness live their best lives
March 24, 2023
-
![]()
Peter Tesei takes on Pathways
February 22, 2022
Donations and Grants are key to the structural maintenance and improvements of care we provide.
Thank you to all who say YES!
“I was inspired by the enormous need that we discovered from many frustrating years of trying to find help for our son living with mental illness.
Out of that nightmare, I was moved to create Pathways - a place where our son could receive care, grow and find a home.”
- Renee Bigler, Founder