2024 Annual Appeal
Dear Friends,
As we are coming to the end of our Fiscal Year, I am writing to ask for your support in the form of donations. We are fundraising to help maintain the care we provide, make necessary improvements for the sustainability of our organization and increase the care we provide to more individuals who need our help. Our goal is to reach $4 million by July 2025.
We are currently serving over 60 individuals in the Greenwich area, and we receive daily inquiries from new families who need our help. Nearly half of our residential clients would be homeless with no families to support them without our care.
Today, the reality is stark. According to Greenwich United Way, the annual survival budget for individuals in our region exceeds $39,000. This survival budget does not even begin to cover the extensive medical attention and clinical care our clients require.
At Pathways, we're dedicated to providing person-centered care. Yet, with only 60 percent of our operating costs covered by government funding, we face a daunting challenge. To sustain our current operations, let alone improve or expand, we rely on grants and private funding for the remaining 40 percent.
Your support is vital in ensuring that we can continue providing housing and services to this vulnerable group of deserving individuals. Your generosity can make a tangible difference in their lives. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us make a lasting impact.
Thank you for considering supporting Pathways. Included are some updates, successes and greatest needs we are facing.
With gratitude,
Peter J. Tesei
Executive Director
What does success look like?
With the help of our small but mighty dedicated staff, our clients are able to achieve their goals and milestones
Getting on a healthy track
Our social workers are helping with the Mental Health Waiver (MHW) so clients can benefit from services. One client has lost 20lbs with the help of the MHW delivered meals and taking walks with their social worker and recovery assistant!
Tai Chi has been a favorite of our clients. Thanks to a donated gift, our clients have a weekly session with Jonathan Davis from Tawawa Wellness.
Thanks to a grant from Greenwich Department of Housing and Human Services, our clients are able to sign up at the YMCA.
Socialization
It can be a struggle to get out of your home/safe space and become an active member of the community. We are very blessed to see an increase in our community clients coming to our day program, The Club. We have made headway with clients who are now participating on a daily basis, socializing with peers and trusting our staff.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
We started a pilot program with one of our social workers. The new trainings have proven to be a significant help with everyday skills that can be very difficult to achieve. We are thrilled to see clients “graduate” to more independent living after showing much improvement.
Pet Adoption!
Many of our clients are animal lovers. We have clients who are living in the independent living apartments who are able to not only take care of themselves but also their pets. We welcomed a new puppy to the Pathways family this year!
“The best thing about Pathways, are the clients. ”
How can we be better for our clients?
Pathways is not a place just for our clients. Many staff members and board members have a personal connection with mental illness and Pathways is a haven for all to come together and better understand the needs for these adults. We are a dedicated family who wants to make a great impact and help this vulnerable population find peace and purpose.
More Personalized Care
Pathway’s original founder Reneé Bigler, along with her trusted friends, created a much-needed organization in a time where the institutionalized were needing to find new homes.
As Pathway’s has evolved, so have the clients and types of clients. Our clients who have been with us are aging and need more specialized medical care. At the same time, new clients are of a younger generation; therefore, the type of care is different.
There is more knowledge on how to provide quality care. There are more specialties and professionals who can provide more individualized attention. There are more solutions for different cases being tried, studied, and proven daily. The solutions are out there, but the costs for access and resources are high.
Recruiting and Retaining Talent
Our pilot program on activities of daily living (ADLs) at our Group Home has proven that the right training can produce better results. With more funds, we can retain talented and driven staff, keep them motivated with proper trainings, and ensure the future of quality care to our clients.
There are many administrative needs that are not being met properly to ensure the sustainability of our organization. With more funding we could hire professional positions that would significantly help our day-to-day operations.
Home Improvements and Housing Availability
We have four houses with 36 clients in total that need constant care and upkeep. There are many rooms for improvement both in structure, design and organization that would improve our clients daily living.
Additionally, we have a growing waitlist and are currently undertaking a needs assessment survey to be able to show the unmet need for additional housing. Some examples of what we need include the following:
An opportunity to potentially increase housing availability is in the works. To start, we will need to come up with funding for a feasibility study.
An improvement we are trying to fund is the demolition of an uninhabitable garage to make more outdoor space for our clients.
“A home is a shelter from storms — all sorts of storms. We all know when we are feeling sick or down all we want to do is be home. Can you imagine feeling that way daily and not having a safe home to go to?”
How do we get there?
#1 Donations
While we do receive state and federal funding, due to the high cost of maintaining our homes and quality care professionals, this only covers 60% of our operating costs to maintain the status quo. All other costs and improvements are covered by grants, individual and corporate donations. Without you, we would not be able to help this vulnerable population and their loved ones. We greatly appreciate any amount you are able to give.
Help us reach our goal!
$4M by July 2025
Donate Today
Debit/Credit Card
Checks
Checks can be mailed and made payable to:
Pathways, Inc.
175 Milbank Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830
Stock or Wire Transfers
Email Finance Director, John Silango, at [email protected].
Foundation or Corporate Grants, Major Gifts, Endowments and Naming Opportunities
Email Development Manager, Rachel Hanley, at [email protected].
Leave a Legacy: Planned Giving with Pathways
When you choose to make a planned gift to Pathways, you are creating a lasting legacy of care, compassion, and support for individuals living with mental illness in our community. Planned giving allows you to make a meaningful contribution that will help sustain and expand our mission for generations to come, ensuring that those in need continue to receive the housing, support, and hope they deserve.
What is Planned Giving?
Planned giving involves making a charitable donation through your estate plan or other long-term financial strategies. These gifts are typically made after your lifetime, allowing you to support Pathways in a way that works for your personal financial situation. Whether through a bequest in your will, a retirement account, or other options, planned giving is a powerful way to invest in the future of mental health services and community support.
Why Choose Planned Giving?
Ensure a Strong Future for Pathways
Your planned gift will provide a lasting foundation for Pathways to continue offering essential services to adults with mental illness. With your support, we can expand our housing programs, enhance community support services, and empower individuals to live fulfilling, independent lives.Leave a Personal Legacy
By making a planned gift, you are leaving behind a legacy of compassion that reflects your values. Your generosity will continue to help those in need long after your lifetime, offering hope and opportunities to countless individuals living with mental health challenges.Flexible and Tailored to You
Planned gifts can be tailored to suit your specific financial goals. We work with you to explore the options that best meet your needs, whether you're looking to make a significant future gift or integrate your donation into your financial planning now.
Ways to Make a Planned Gift
Bequests: A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It’s one of the simplest and most popular ways to leave a legacy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate to Pathways.
Charitable Gift Annuities: A charitable gift annuity allows you to contribute to Pathways while also receiving a fixed income for the rest of your life. When you pass, the remainder of the gift supports our work.
Retirement Accounts & Life Insurance: You can name Pathways as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts (like IRAs or 401(k)s) or life insurance policies, helping us continue our mission after your lifetime.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): If you hold a donor-advised fund, you can designate Pathways as a beneficiary, ensuring that your charitable giving continues to benefit mental health services in the future.
Real Estate or Other Assets: If you own property or other significant assets, you can contribute them to Pathways as part of your planned gift, which will help fund our services and programs.
The Benefits of Planned Giving
Tax Advantages: Many planned gifts offer substantial tax benefits, such as deductions from estate and income taxes, allowing you to support Pathways while maximizing your own financial goals.
Create a Lasting Legacy: Your planned gift will leave a permanent mark on the future of Pathways, ensuring that our programs continue to support and uplift individuals living with mental illness.
Support a Cause You Care About: With a planned gift, you can make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the mental health and well-being of our community, helping to transform lives for generations.
How to Get Started
At Pathways, we understand that planned giving is a personal and thoughtful decision. Our team is here to guide you through the process and ensure that your legacy gift is structured in the way that best fits your goals.
To learn more about how you can make a planned gift to Pathways, please contact us at [email protected]. We would be honored to discuss your options and help you make an impact that will continue to support adults living with mental illness for years to come.
#2 Board Members and Partnerships
We are seeking new Board Members and Partnerships with the following specialties:
Psychiatry
General Practice
Hospital Administration
Business Development/Strategic Planning
Human Resources
Email Executive Director, Peter Tesei, to discuss at [email protected].
“The Pathways family understands that the mental illness does not define a person, it is just a part of the person that needs care. They are someone’s child, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, parent. They all deserve to be treated and cared like anyone else. They deserve to be encouraged to succeed in their goals and live life with purpose. ”
Donating Household Items
While we do very much appreciate donated household items, we do have limited space so all items will be accepted on an as needed-basis. If you would like to donate an item, please fill out the form below.
Educate
Learn more about Severe Mental Illness from recommended reputable resources.
Volunteer
Whether its a professional craft or a casual conversation, you can make a great impact in our clients lives.