Pathway Homes recognized the dedication, leadership, and support of Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read as well affordable housing leader Shelley Murphy and the Cafritz Foundation. The awards took place during Steps to Pathways Breakfast held Nov. 1 at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks for their efforts to ensure vulnerable members of the community have needed services and a place to call home.
The annual event brought together nearly 200 people in support of Pathways — a nonprofit providing mental health services starting with safe, stable housing to individuals marginalized by poverty and inequity. Raising more than $170,000, the breakfast also heightened awareness about Pathways’ work to prevent and end homelessness. It featured speakers including long-time housing advocate U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, Pathway clients, civic leaders and awardees.
During the event, Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read was presented with Pathway’s Spirit of Hope Award, which is given to a leader who has been a beacon of hope to those struggling with recovery from mental illnesses. Her voice and leadership have been instrumental in helping end homelessness through permanent supportive housing. As part of her efforts, she started the Fairfax City homelessness task force to address the impact of homelessness within Fairfax City for both individuals experiencing homelessness and the greater community. She also supported the opening of the George Mason Center for Community Mental Health, enabling the community easy access to critical mental health services.
Shelley Murphy, former CEO, Wesley Housing, was also recognized, receiving the Joyce Flynn Award for her lifetime achievements as a housing advocate. She guided the retooling of nonprofit developer Wesley Housing, helping it more than double the number of housing units and expand resident services programming to all its residents. In addition, The Gwendolyn and Morris Cafritz Foundation was recognized with a Corporate Citizen Award for its leadership and critical funding related to housing and mental health in the DMV.
For more than 44 years, Pathway Homes has enabled tens of thousands of people with serious mental illnesses and other co-occurring disabilities to access affordable housing and critical supportive services to help them recover their lives. Following the housing first model, Pathway Homes is a partner in preventing and ending homelessness.