Sentara Increases its Support of Pathway Homes with a $50K Grant to Support Upkeep on 500+ Homes for Those Transitioning to Independent Living
Homes with Services Help People with Mental Health Challenges Recover
FAIRFAX, Va. (February 25, 2025)—For the second year in a row, Pathway Homes received a grant from Sentara, one of the nation’s top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems, to help support ongoing maintenance of homes the nonprofit upkeeps in Prince William County.
This year Sentara invested $50,000, up from last year’s $30,000 grant. Pathways is a regional nonprofit providing mental health services—starting with safe, stable housing—to individuals marginalized by poverty and inequity to help these individuals reclaim their health and lives and owns, leases and manages over 500 properties in Northern Virginia.
“Sentara’s continued, growing, and significant investments in helping those with mental health challenges is a sign of their leadership and commitment to our community. A home is the best first step for people with mental health struggles as they transition back to healthy, productive lives. Sentara’s grant will help us care for the homes that welcome these residents who are working to recover their lives,” said Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, CEO, Pathway Homes.
This grant will support Pathway Homes’ “Good Neighbor” fund which is used for home maintenance. In addition to the 360 units Pathway Homes leases utilizing HUD and state rental subsidies, Pathways also owns 135 scattered-site condos, townhomes, and single-family homes. These residences provide safe and affordable homes in the community and promote individual recovery.
Housing and services are a critical lifeline with 92 percent of those served remaining in stable housing and 96 percent staying out of psychiatric hospitals. Most importantly, these individuals reclaim their lives, reconnect with family, participate in community activities, and lead safe and productive lives. With grants from organizations like Sentara, Pathways’ maintenance team, and at times, corporate volunteers, provide ongoing upkeep to these houses.
Pathway Homes’ resident Marti, whose mental health and life spiraled after becoming widowed, highlights the importance of having a home. She landed on the streets and then in a shelter before coming to Pathway Homes which she described as “the best thing that ever happened to me…even though my husband is gone… I still have a place to live.” She credits Pathways with giving her stability and a sense of accomplishment. Today, this charismatic Pathway consumer is an avid crocheter—a skill she learned from her grandmother. Her beautiful work was even displayed at last year’s Pathway’s Summer of the Arts Exhibit.
For more than 45 years, Pathway Homes has enabled tens of thousands of people in the National Capital region with serious mental illnesses and other co-occurring disabilities to access affordable housing and critical supportive services to help them recover their lives. Following the effective Housing First model, Pathway Homes is a partner in preventing and ending homelessness, touching nearly 2,000 lives in 2024 and ensuring access to affordable stable homes in permanent supportive housing units.
