Founded in Rockville, Maryland in 2010, Pathways for Living, Inc. was established to create sustainable pathways out of poverty for vulnerable residents of Montgomery County, Maryland.  We have operated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to filling the critical gaps between emergency shelter and long-term independence, addressing food insecurity, providing health screenings, and generally supporting community outreach programs.  

Our journey began by identifying a specific need for “wrap-a-around” services – the essential life skills and physical resources that determine whether a family can maintain a home once they leave a shelter. In 2014, Pathways presented a Life Skills program for residents of the Helping Hands Shelter for women with children designed to minimize the risk of mothers returning to homeless status after transitioning from a shelter.  The program featured a curriculum that provided training in financial management, employment preparation, basic computer skills, personal grooming and basic household management.

From our focus on residents of the Helping Hands Shelter, we developed a comprehensive empowerment model that has expanded to serve the broader community. Pathways conducted a survey during an annual National Night Out community event to obtain information about the most pressing community needs. Food insecurity was identified as a serious concern in Montgomery County.  Pathways assisted in coordinating resources and provided administrative support for a bi-weekly food distribution program, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The food insecurity crisis has not abated, and the bi-weekly food distribution program continues to feed 100s of families in Montgomery Co., MD. 

All services were provided by volunteers at various host sites.