By Peter Tesei
Love for a family member is the pillar on which Pathways was established 42 years ago. Today it remains at the heart of our organizations culture in service to Pathways extended family of clients.
Renee Bigler (1930-2022) and a group of compassionate families founded Pathways because of a concern about the lack of community services for adults with chronic mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Having experienced mental illness in their own families, the agency’s founders were very much aware of how serious mental illness can change the course of a young person’s life, often leading to permanent disability. The group sought to prevent homelessness and repeated hospitalizations by creating housing and rehabilitation services to help the mentally ill develop skills to manage their symptoms and live independently and productively as possible.
In 1992, Renee received the Greenwich Time’s annual Louise Crisafi Community Award, which honors a volunteer in health care for outstanding service to the community. In her acceptance speech, she said “Every community should have a Pathways or something like it”, “They have schools, hospitals, fire stations – they should (also) protect the mentally ill. I believe profoundly in every man’s right to shelter so he can have some dignity. Every illness shouldn’t deprive a person of this right”.
Several Board members are the children of Pathway’s founding Board members and continue their parent’s legacy of service to those living with prolonged mental illness. George Brown, Renee’s son and daughter Tine Buck faithfully maintain their commitment to Pathways. It was their late brother, Matthew (Tam) Barclay Brown III, who inspired their mother to establish Pathways. Board member Leo Arnaboldi’s late mother Sheila G. Arnaboldi (1933-2007) was a founding Board member and a long-time member of the Town of Greenwich Finance Board (BET). Margie Warwick, a founding Board member continues to be an enthusiastic and dedicated leader for Pathways mission. Joining her on the Board is her son Craig, who leads our annual “Music for Change” fundraising concert at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY. Craig’s wife Jenn is Board Vice-President and spearheaded our first annual “Walk to Stop the Stigma” in May for Mental Health Awareness Month. The Warwick Family’s compassion and commitment to Pathways is enduring with a focus on the importance of providing “dignity” for our clients to live and enjoy meaningful and productive lives.
Pathways current Board President Tom Athan and his wife Kim, who is chairing the 2023 “No place like Home” fundraising gala on October 28 at Burning Tree Country Club represent the next generation of families providing their passionate volunteerism in support of Pathways mission. Tom’s brother Alex is a residential client and active member of our Fellowship Day Program. This program consists of a variety of activities designed to build confidence, competencies, connections, engagement and fun. Tom and Kim put their heart and heads to work to sustain Pathways for Alex and so many others who depend upon our housing and support services to live their life with purpose and dignity. Michael and Betsy Grant faithfully serve Pathways along with their son-in-law Tyler McCarthy, bringing their business acumen in carrying out the fiduciary role of a Board member. In addition to these families, many client families give tirelessly in support of our community and mission.
The 2023 Pathways “No place like Home” fundraising gala will honor the dynamic duo of Alison Farn-Leigh and Kendra Farn Finz. These sisters are enthusiastic supporters of Pathways and are carrying on their late mother, Carol’s philanthropic leadership through Alison’s service on the Board and together Co-Chairing last year’s most successful 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala.
Alison is a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway New England Properties and provides her expertise when issues with our five properties arise. Kendra is well known as a professional host, spokesperson and actress. She is an Emmy Award winning television news reporter and anchor and spent 14 years in NYC working for WNBC-TV, WCBS-TV, and the CBS Evening News on weekends. She and husband Noah, an Emmy Award winning television sports reporter and anchor own P Garyn Productions. P Garyn produces a full array of high quality video services and programming for companies and organizations. Kendra has produced a series of videos for Pathways that capture the perspective of our clients, their families and our dedicated staff members. Here are the links:
Learn about Pathways from Clients’ Family Members
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz91bqVLCXQ
Learn About Pathways Clients
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBN2TmJ-ht0&t=23s
Learn about Pathways from our Staff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKcOGKzL80M&t=177s
Please join our extended Pathways Family for our annual fundraising gala on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Burning Tree Country Club from 6pm to 11pm. Celebrate and support the clients at Pathways and raise awareness for our program, and become part of our family. Help us provide the hope, dignity and compassion our clients deserve.
Peter J. Tesei is the Executive Director of Pathways, Inc. and previously served as Greenwich’s First Selectman for 12 years (2007-2019). His public service spans 32 years as a former RTM member and Chair from District 9 and Chairman of the Board of Estimate & Taxation. He presently volunteers his time as the Chairman of the Board of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and as a Board member of the Greenwich Council of Boy Scouts of America.
