By Peter J. Tesei
At Pathway’s we foster an environment that supports everybody living up to their potential and where each person sets their own goals and defines their purpose.
We strive to create an atmosphere that supports the empowerment of all people, including disadvantaged and marginalized persons, to realize their full potential. We focus on the mental health and wellbeing of each person we encounter.
Pathways offers several levels of housing programs to support clients needing varying degrees of support. Our services extend to clients living independently in our community with support services. Attaining this level of independence is a measure of success for our clients and the result of the compassionate work Pathways staff provides. Mental illnesses drastically narrows our client’s opportunities in this world. By providing structure and support to recover mental stability, Pathways is providing clients the ability to live as meaningful life as possible, along with some measure of happiness.
Housing Programs:
The 175 Milbank Avenue Group Home provide a non-medical, safe and supportive environment where an individual can learn the necessary life skills and routines to live more independently in the community. Each home has staff on site 24/7 and is licensed by the CT Department of Mental Health. All group home residents receive a minimum of 40 hours of residential rehabilitation services each month to assist in the practice and development of independent living skills.
The 258 Davis Avenue Supervised Housing residence provides clients with the necessary supports and guidance to live as independently as individually possible in the community. Value is placed on providing residents with a home environment that is designed to enhance the individuals’ quality of life. Special emphasis is placed on giving clients an opportunity to reach their fullest potential. This program is staffed 24/7.
Our 509 East Putnam Avenue residence follows the Supportive Housing model has proven effective in reducing homelessness among those individuals that are diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder. Supportive Housing combines affordable housing, most often through a rental subsidy, with intensive yet flexible support services. These services focus on housing based case management to help the individual meet the obligations of tenancy, increase residential stability, increase daily living skills, maintain recovery from substance use disorders and mental illnesses, increase natural supports and maximize self-determination.
Our Day Program at “The Club” 8 Sinawoy Road, Cos Cob is a psychosocial program designed to provide a friendly and supportive environment where individuals, who are living in the local community, can engage in social interaction with peers and find new ways to access natural community supports.
Services in the program are person-centered to meet the goals, hopes and dreams of participants. Individualized services and skill groups focus on recovery and developed to increase independence and help individuals to remain in the communities of their choice.
The mental health waiver program permits Connecticut through provider agencies like Pathway’s to provide a comprehensive array of home and community-based services that enable individuals to live safely in the community. Individualized recovery plans developed with each person include rehabilitative or support services, Community Support
Program and Recovery Assistant.
One of our community clients who grew up with reliance upon the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and State Mental Health Hospitals has participated in all of our programs. He exemplifies Pathways continuum of programming. He lived at the Milbank Group Home, advanced to Davis Avenue Supervised Housing, and currently lives independently at one of Greenwich Communities housing developments in Central Greenwich. He is presently works at a local small business and has immense gratification from his job, a life with friends and support services overseen by his Pathways case manager. There are other clients who have this shared experience and many who are working toward this goal.
We work in partnership with the Town of Greenwich Department of Human Services, Greenwich United Way, the State of Connecticut, Federal Housing and Urban Development, Greenwich Communities and several other entities to fulfill our vital mission.
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 District 9 Chairman and Board of Estimate & Taxation Chairman. He presently volunteers his time as the Chairman of the Board of Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and as a Board member of the Greenwich Council of Boy Scouts.
