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Corner Dump
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Donate your car or truck - We
are especially in need of a running truck with a trailor hitch to
transport construction supplies and equipment to and from the work site.
Send us you empty ink and toner cartridges - By
letting us recycle your used-up printer cartridges, you get the added
bonus of supporting Pathways and protecting the environment at the same
time!
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| AmeriCorps Positions Available |
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We have a variety of new service opportunities through our expanded AmeriCorps program! For a complete listing of available positions and application info, visit us at www.pathways-va.org
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Partners
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Partners are those people,
businesses, corporations that have their own thing going and choose to marry
their work with ours for part of the time. Together we are stronger than either
of us is alone.
Health Partner Award:
It was just a dream, but these folks made it a reality and
not just then but now. They talked with us, they strategized with us, they
helped set agendas, they brought important players to the table, and they
supported our hopes and efforts. They ask the hard questions and help find
answers. Every month they bring a medical van to our parking lot to provide
extra space to the uninsured persons who come to our cardiology clinic. They
also make available testing back at the hospital and provide needed equipment to
our clinic for better care. They are the wonderful people who did not say no or
go away. So this year’s Health Partner
Award goes to Bon Secours Mission
and Outreach.
Health Partner Award:
Some people just tip toe around sensitive topics, but these
folks just plunge right in, like taking a dive in an ice cold pool. They are
creative and encourage the students to draw; they enter their artwork in
competitions. They spend time with our students; get them involved in talking
about HIV/AIDS, safe practices, and dangerous consequences. They build trust
and provide invaluable information. The winner of the second Health Partner Award goes to Serenity.
Partner Congregation Award:
It was hot when they came. It was cool when
they came. It
was cold when they came. It was windy when they came. They came often
and
always with smiles. They came from church; they came from camping
trips. Some came back to their old neighborhood, others came and met
friends here from their old neighborhood. They came more often than
any other group. They came and hammered, cleaned, painted, cut, swept,
and built friendships. After returning to their home they apparently
spoke about us quite well because they have sent and sent and sent
donations. So this year’s Partner Congregation Award goes to Duncan Memorial
United Methodist
Church.
Sustainable Community Partner Award:
He is as down-to-earth and smart as one can be. He gets
excited about seeds and goat manure. He loves a good challenge, and believe me
we are a challenge. He is not so good at checking email, returning calls in a
timely fashion, or remembering promises made, but we think he is tops just the
same. He gives advice for free, manages to secure great resources and is the
heart and brains behind our urban garden project. This year’s Sustainable Community Partner Award goes to
Andy Hankins of VSU Extension.
Community Partner Award:
At first they would not give us the time of day, they would
not return our calls, we had to chase them down in parking lots to get in two
words, and we accused them of ditching our business cards. Then they sent in
the officer to investigate us, the troops to whip us in shape, the skeptical
team to educate us. And now, maybe because they can’t find anyone else dumb
enough to risk their jobs like we do, they at least act like they like us. In
all sincerity, they have supported us, challenged us, guided us, and yes,
sometimes even listened to us. This year’s Community
Partner Award goes to Virginia LISC.
Business Partner Award:
It began as a business arrangement, we paid money and they
delivered a service, a product. We had a contract that outlined each party’s
responsibilities. We needed something done, they needed money. Soon the
arrangement, however, became more than a formal relationship, for after all
neither of us are the formal type. Since that time, they have gone to bat for
us, been our advocates; they have volunteered their time and resources, they
have spent long hours with us brainstorming around big and small tables, they
have shared wisdom and made suggestions. Most of all, they are the type of
business we would want to be if we were not in the non-profit world. This
year’s Business Partner Award goes to
Studio Ammons.
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No Rain on the Banjo
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The rains fell hard all afternoon long until only a few
sprinkles and dampness were left to fill the air. Inside the party goers were
greeted with sunshine smiles, foot stomping music from the corner banjo and
harmonica, and tables filled with welcoming food.
June 5th was the
proud day of our Annual Volunteer/Donor Reception, and we enjoyed the company
of over 80 souls traveling from near and not so near to celebrate a year of
giving and receiving. So many of you have given this past year of both your
time and talent, in fact over 1000 volunteers plus donors, and we are ever
grateful. From plumbing of houses to treating human hearts you have given of
your best to make a difference, and all of you are our heroes.
In this issue we
share with you our 2008-2009 award winners that have given of their time to
build lives and awaken hope in Petersburg.
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| Volunteers |
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From April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009,
Pathways welcomed and engaged 1000+ volunteers working in everything from plumbing
to heart surgery. This year, we have chosen six individuals or teams to honor with
an award.
Youth Team Award:
They came in the heat and dust of summer to
deconstruct old houses, paint, and install hardie plank siding. Then they
invited our youth to their place in the cold of winter. They had food and
karaoke, a barbecue, a trip to see stalactites and stalagmites, and they
introduced our students to snow tubing. They didn’t think that was enough so
they had a reception on Sunday morning, shared in worship, and took up an
offering. They convinced their parents and fellow congregants to house us and
feed us even more food and fix our broken van. They convinced the adults to pay
for both trips, their trip here and our trip there. Mostly, they understood in
the end it is about sharing from the heart and making friends with others who
are so different and so alike at the same time. This year’s Youth Team Award goes to Bridgewater United Methodist Youth Fellowship.
Healthy Living Award:
Her heart is warm, her hands are skilled, and her faith is
strong. She comes here several days a month to sort through paperwork, make
phone calls, deal with difficult people, and provide loving care. She is the
glue that holds it all together. She gives people hope when all hope is gone;
she makes things happen that they never thought possible. She never wants to
turn anyone away, and she carries them with her in her prayers when they leave.
She is the Nurse Coordinator for our Cardiology Specialty Clinic. This year’s Healthy Living Award goes to Rachel Pack.
Publicist Award:
Talented and determined to make a difference, she worked
hard and long to make it all come together for us, not once but twice this past
year. She made our name known all around town and well beyond. Our name was in
the Richmond Times Dispatch, The Petersburg Progress-Index, on Fort Lee Post,
on the radio, in magazines, and in shops all around the area. She got sponsors,
volunteers, photographers, sold tickets and cooked treats. The Work Places,
Living Spaces Tour that benefited us was her brainchild, and she coordinated
all the publicity work for our Annual Kitchen Tour. This year’s Publicist Award
goes to Kimberly Ann Calos.
Big Brother Award:
He signed up to go to the Gulfcoast to rebuild
houses after Hurricane Katrina, not once or even twice, but many times over. He
worked alongside our staff and our students making homes and lives whole again.
Then something happened; he became connected with our students, encouraging
them, becoming genuinely interested in their lives. Then he decided to
volunteer in Petersburg.
He invited them to join him at his congregation for worship and food. He
brought others with him, always checking on the students. This year’s
Big Brother Award goes to Jim Bone.
Green Action Award:
She has two green thumbs, a heart of gold, and an excitement
about making a difference with her neighbors. She will dream with us about
beautiful gardens, get her hands dirty in the soil, partner with a whole host
of folk, prepare wonderful food for all the urban garden participants and
invite them to her son and daughter-in-laws house. After all, why should she
mess up her place? She sees her volunteer time as a gift of spiritual love, and
we love her for it. This year’s Green
Action Award goes to Roberta Purcell.
Hero of the Year:
Treacherous waters and deep chasms threatened to engulf this
traveler when he arrived at Pathways. He put on his superman underwear and wore
his heart proudly as he ventured into the unknown. He asked questions, listened
to wisdom as well as much foolishness, and tried his hand at most everything,
well maybe not most, but certainly much. He made phone calls to folks not
wanting to hear what he had to say; he befriended and served as teacher,
counselor, and role model to our students. He dealt with City Hall, solicited
additional forces, kept us all on point, and started things he did not finish.
For all of this and so much more, we say thanks. He came to us as a graduate student
intern from the VCU School of Social Work, but he leaves as our Hero of the Year. Scott Mates.
Mike Watts presents Roberta Purcell with her Award
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| Advocates |
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Advocate Awards are for folks who keep us on their mind, who go to great lengths
to spread the word about us and the work we do; folks who say good things about
us, find us volunteers, find employment for our graduates, convince others to
raise money for us, do silly things to draw attention to our cause. Basically,
they are our ambassadors in every way possible short of renting a blimp or
taking out a TV ad.
This year's Advocates are: Fred Kelley, Dario Whitten, Rich Pingle, Larry Tingle, and Charles & Diann
Aardema
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