Pathways' Blog

It was the middle of the night when Martha awoke to the sound of the refrigerator door opening. Going into the kitchen to investigate, she found her young son standing in front of the open door, staring inside.

“I’m just looking at all the food, Mom,” he said. “I can eat whatever I want in there?”

The boy knew what it was like to be truly hungry. But now, thanks to the organization now known as Pathways, his family didn’t have to worry about having enough food to eat.

Pathways and Oasis Counseling for Women and Children are partnering to offer a fun new program to Day Center guests.

Volunteers, donors and staff threw a Holiday party to remember for Pathways' homeless women and children.

Donors who gave $1,000 or more to Pathways' newest fundraising campaign are now being recognized through a work of art.

Two of Pathways' residential guests volunteered their time this election season to help with the Presidential campaign.

Despite a power outage, Pathways’ team managed to still serve lunch to homeless women who visited the Day Center recently.

Pathways' downtown Day Center receives a face lift courtesy of a handful of dedicated volunteers.

... what would you change? Find out how some of Pathways' guests answered this question.

A poem by one of Pathways' homeless guests.

Two weeks in a coma changed Diane's life forever.

On a recent Wednesday evening, 8-year-old Catherine walked into a classroom at Pathways and proudly showed off the gap where she’d lost a tooth the night before. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers Kathryn Jones and Murry Hard showered her with praise and congratulations.

National Cement claimed victory once again at this year’s Sporting Clays event.

Children and their mothers enjoy a day of face painting, games and food provided by a fun-loving group of volunteers.

During the month of October, most citizens of the US raise their voices in cheer to promote school pride, team spirit, and to rally for specific causes. In fact, in Alabama, we live by the “Either For Us or Against Us” creed. Our children learn this early during football games. We stand united for what we believe to be areas of great importance. The unity will transcend demographics, genders, races, or religious affiliations. Honestly, it is as American as football!

Earlier this year, Martha moved from Florida to Birmingham to bury her mother and to take care of her estate. But that good deed ended up being too much of a burden, and seven months ago, Martha suddenly found herself homeless.

From January 2012 to August 2012, I had the opportunity to work with Pathways as a Counselor in Training. Although I spent the majority of time working with the Women in Parsons Place; I was also exposed to working with the women and children in their day center and transitional housing programs.

Keisha Hunter loves coming to work every day.

“I enjoy the excitement,” she said. “It’s never the same. You never know what you’re going to walk into.”

Morgan Kelly has noticed lately how many presents her friends get at their birthday parties.

A few months ago, a homeless woman named Lois came into Pathways’ Day Center on a day when photographer D. Jerome Smedley was volunteering his time to take photos of Pathways guests. He snapped this beautiful picture of Lois.

The inaugural year of Pathways’ new major donor campaign, the Heart & Home Society, was a resounding success, exceeding its goal by more than $10,000.

This past Saturday, May 19th, the Birmingham Ultimate Disc Association hosted the 31st Charity MudBowl benefitting Pathways at the beautiful Gardendale Soccer Complex.

Pathways is excited about the Nature Conservancy of Alabama‘s upcoming Picnic for the Planet! This past month, Pathways’ guests and staff have been creating a piece of art that will be on display – and available for picnickers to eat off of – this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Meadow in Railroad Park.

Pathways to participate in statewide single-day fundraising campaign.

Vulcan Materials volunteers help Pathways' guests make - and know how to keep - New Year's Resolutions.

If you drove or walked by Pathways’ downtown shelter on Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard in December, you may have noticed a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby, decorated with blue and gold ornaments and white lights.

When Joshlyn stepped inside a closet at Pathways, she was moved by tears by what she saw: A pile of presents stacked up as high as her chin, all for her five children.

Students use Alabama-Auburn competitiveness to collect donations for Pathways' guests.

United Way agencies are linked together by powerful volunteers.

Learn about Pathways' Employment Readiness Program through the eyes of volunteer instructors.

Pathways utilizes hospitality as its philosophy, an element of our foundation. This is an indication that we treat our clients with respect and dignity.

Experience what it is like for a homeless women to find hope that she'll find a job.

Admirable accomplishments. Those of us at Pathways see them over and over with the success of our clients. We witness the plight of our guests, the defeating, life-changing trauma of losing a home, running out of personal resources, and lack of support from family and friends. This can lead to desperate calls to shelters for a bed.

Students lend their nursing skills to help Day Center guests de-stress.

Read about the struggles of one woman to fight drug addiction and homelessness.

Local skeet shoot enthusiasts enjoy afternoon raising $30,000 for Pathways.

Recently, Pathways assisted a young lady, whom I will call Sharon. This young lady had been in one of our facilities as a child along with her mother.

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church members talk about their commitment to serve lunches once a month in Pathways' Day Center.

The Zumba craze has found a home at Pathways.

Robin is the embodiment of good ole’ sunshine. You know the kind that shines through the window on your face as you’re riding in the car and it feels so good it instantly warms you soul?