By Peter Tesei
At Pathways, we’re on a mission to transform lives. We’re not just providing housing; we’re offering a chance for individuals facing serious mental health challenges to rebuild, rediscover, and reclaim their purpose. We believe that every person, no matter their circumstances, has the potential to thrive—especially those who have struggled with mental illness later in life. Too often, people living with mental health challenges are told that their lives are limited. But we know better. With the right support, the future can be bright.
This year, our Annual Gala highlighted just how transformative this journey can be. Our keynote speaker, Paul Dalio, shared his powerful story of how he overcame a bipolar disorder diagnosis, finding a sense of purpose and self-worth that defied expectations. Paul’s message was clear: people with mental illness can lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. His story is just one example of what’s possible when you’re given the right care, resources, and community.
Paul spoke about the moment he was first diagnosed—a moment that many of our clients can relate to. Like so many others, he was handed a pamphlet filled with words of hopelessness, a diagnosis that felt like a death sentence. For many individuals and their families, a mental health diagnosis is terrifying and overwhelming. It’s easy to feel as though life is over. But Paul’s story shows that it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right support and resources, individuals with serious mental illness can not only survive, but thrive.
At Pathways, our goal is to ensure that our clients don’t just survive with a roof over their heads. We want them to find fulfillment, rediscover passions, and reconnect with a sense of purpose. We want them to believe in their own potential. Just like Paul, our clients deserve to see themselves as worthy of a purposeful and enriched life.
As we look to the future, we know that achieving these goals requires more than just good intentions. “A goal without a plan is just a wish,” as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said. And that’s why we are taking concrete steps to ensure Pathways can continue to grow and serve more individuals in need. This includes engaging the National Executive Service Corps (NESC), a third-party consulting firm, to conduct a comprehensive strategic assessment of our operations.
Through this process, we are developing a long-term strategic plan that will guide us in enhancing the services we offer, expanding our reach, and ensuring that we are financially sustainable for the years to come. This strategic assessment will help us identify opportunities for improvement and give us the tools to act in a way that sets us up for long-term success.
Meeting the Needs of Adults with Late-Onset Mental Illness
Pathways serves adults who face mental health challenges that developed later in life—often triggered by trauma, life changes, or unforeseen circumstances. These individuals need more than just a place to live; they need a holistic support system that addresses both their mental health needs and their personal goals. That’s why we offer not only stable housing but also case management, mental health services, life skills training, and social integration programs. Our aim is to help clients rebuild their lives and reintegrate into the community, with dignity and purpose.
We also understand that no two journeys are the same. Recovery is a deeply personal process, and at Pathways, we are committed to offering individualized care that empowers each client to define and achieve their own goals. Whether it’s regaining employment, reconnecting with family, or discovering new passions, we support our clients every step of the way.
Looking Toward the Future
The work we do at Pathways is more important than ever. We know that there are many individuals in our community who are struggling to find hope after being diagnosed with a serious mental illness. And as we continue to expand, we want to be sure that we are meeting the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining the highest standards of care.
That’s where our work with NESC comes in. Their expertise in nonprofit strategy will guide us in ensuring that we not only improve the services we provide but also secure the funding and resources necessary to sustain our mission long term. The goal is to increase our capacity to serve more clients, enhance our programs, and build strong partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations.
Pathways is also focused on improving public awareness of our unique mission. Many people still have misconceptions about those living with mental illness—believing that individuals with mental health challenges cannot lead fulfilling lives. But at Pathways, we know this is not true. With the right support, every adult with a serious mental illness can rediscover their purpose, achieve their goals, and contribute meaningfully to society.
We are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. With the help of our strategic plan, we will continue to expand our reach and strengthen the impact we have on the lives of individuals facing serious mental health challenges. We are committed to helping our clients not just survive—but thrive. And with your support, we can make this vision a reality for many more deserving individuals in our community.
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 37 years as a former RTM District 9 Chairman and Board of Estimate & Taxation Chairman. He has served on several non-profit Boards and community organizations and has been leading Pathways since November of 2021.
