Hopelessness to Hope

By Carolyn Johnson

Photo credit: Ryan on Flickr

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.

Many times in our society, when we hear about the courage and determination of ordinary people, it becomes the talk of the "water cooler" crowd. We hear about it on the news, it becomes a featured in-depth story on shows like 20/20.

There are many stories of great accomplishments at Pathways, but are few are made public and given much fanfare.

For example, 64-year-old Lydia tells us of her overwhelming fear of her family and friends discovering that “she is a failure by living in a shelter”. Lydia worked hard to keep her secret. She would make excuses to leave a social event with friends to get back to the shelter in time for curfew. She had to sell most of her belongings to stay afloat prior to entering shelter. Lydia had been a nurse in another state and came to Birmingham to help her aging and ill mother. This situation did not work out. There were family problems coming from all directions, and Lydia left that situation. She then had a stroke, and other medical problems began to pile on. She believed the important things in her life were lost forever.

Lydia was encouraged by and somewhat challenged to redirect her well-honed skill of determination to conceal her homeless plight from friends and family. She was challenged to look forward so she could move forward. She landed a part-time job in the home health field that matched her skill set. She received budgeting assistance, saved money, worked on the relationship with her family, and recruited a few friends to help her collect furniture items in a storage she obtained. Lydia was now planning ahead, preparing for her exit from the program. I began to have fewer visits from her in my office. She had gained her own sense of hope.

Lydia used her time wisely and worked hard to pull her “new life” together. She told me before she left that she feared being happy, because for so long she believed she was not allowed to feel. Coming to the shelter offered her a fresh start, but she also was afraid that she could not do it alone and would once again fail.

Just like many of our clients who work hard against feeling hopeless, I had to remind Lydia that the trick is not to fight against hopelessness but to fight for hope. It is up to her to choose which door to open.

There are many courageous women who overcome “the bad” in their life. Women who are determined to move forward, to have faith in a spiritual sense as well as in themselves. Women with stories of hope, where confidence grows within them, where problems become redefined as challenges, and failure becomes a victory.

These are huge events like an amputee climbing Mount Everest or a woman who went from getting food stamps to becoming one of the most successful authors of our time by writing the Harry Potter Series.

These are truly great examples of how we can do it with a great deal of patience and determination.

Photo Credit: Leonardo on Flikr.

Carolyn Johnson is a social worker at Pathways.

UAB Nursing Students Help Homeless Women Unwind

By Janis Evans

Homeless women who visited Pathways' Day Center on September 1
were  pampered with manicures courtesy of UAB nursing students.

Take a moment and close your eyes. Think about all of things that cause you to be stressed. Now, open your eyes and take a deep breath and close them again. This time, imagine that you have no care in the world. In fact, you are walking down the beach, the waves are touching your feet, and the water is perfectly fine.

UAB nursing instructor Sharon Hamilton
demonstrates a stress-relieving technique.

Many people who encounter stress are taught how to manage their stress. The techniques mentioned above are a few stress relieving exercises. However, what do you do when your entire living situation is a stressor? You are not given the option to walk down the beach. How do you manage the stress of life?

On September 1, nursing students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham visited Pathways and addressed this very topic to homeless women visiting the agency’s Day Center.

The students began their health talk by defining stress. They identified common stress factors, triggers, and when stress is most likely to occur in women. They showed how stress can be good and bad and explained to the guests how to deal with stress.

UAB nursing students explain to Pathways'
guests different to cope with stress.

The presentation concluded with an open discussion, which allowed Day Center guests to ask questions, give personal examples, and share their personal tips on how to deal with life’s stressors.

A UAB nursing students treats a Pathways guest to a manicure.

After the presentation, the UAB students eased some of the guests’ stress by treating them to manicures. “Sometimes it feels nice to be pampered!” said Sharon Hamilton, the students’ instructor.

Janis Evans is the Volunteer Coordinator and Development Assistant at Pathways. She can be reached at janis@pathwayshome.org.

Struggling with addiction

By Carolyn Hogan

Photo credit: Sara Robertson on Flickr

Dee came to Pathways in April 2010. She was an energetic, petite white female that had “personality”. Dee was every bit of 100 pounds, wet with sand in her pocket. She stayed at an emergency shelter at night and, as other clients usually do, came to Pathways' Day Center for day services. These services  include  a hot shower, laundry facilities, use of client phones, food, life-skill classes, referral services, and an area to relax and get out of the elements. 

Dee never met a stranger and would give anyone her last penny. But after a month or so, something strange began to happen. Dee’s crystal personality became cloudy and grim. She had been hanging out with a crowd of ladies who always complained and caused trouble with night staff at other local shelters. When I would pull Dee off to the side to talk, she seemed happy and okay. But she was definitely not the same person. As time passed, I found that this crowd was hooked on prescription drugs and would sometimes fake illnesses to obtain their “fix”. This all became too apparent when Dee came into the Day Center one day, staggering and complaining of headaches and dizziness. After about a half hour, she fell out of a chair. The paramedics were called, but they couldn’t find anything wrong with her. Because of her stated symptoms, they took her to the hospital. Later that day, Dee returned, feeling better and complete with two new prescriptions. And the games began.

Dee and her friends were eventually put out of shelters and boarding homes but somehow managed to put together enough money to get a room at a nearby motel.  Sometimes, Dee would call Pathways for help, crying and saying “they’re not my friends”. Other times she called a friend for support, only to be left on the side of the road. Dee’s only alternative was to call for support from her family. Pathways assisted her in contacting her sister, who was sympathetic but declined to take Dee in. This was when I found that Dee had been through six recovery programs only to leave with the promise to start over. Her family seemed to have lost  hope. 

Pathways did not give up on Dee. Together, she and I cried and prayed, and she asked God and her family for forgiveness and a new start. Then, Dee received a phone call from her sister, who had found a recovery program in Tennessee. The fees were waived, and Dee seemed to be on the path to her new start.

But to my surprise, a week later I looked up and saw Dee standing in front of me. She had managed to wiggle out of going to treatment - again.

However, this time, she had managed to stay clean long enough to be eligible to return to one of Birmingham's area shelters. Maybe this was the new start. She initiated an approach to set new goals with her social worker and enrolled in classes at Fellowship House. After attending classes on a regular basis, she was given first choice for the next in-house program slot. She has since graduated into the next level, acquired housing and independence.

To make this long story short, I consider this a huge success for someone who dared to take advantage of her second - or rather third - chance. At last sight, Dee had gained at least 90 pounds and wears a smile that is contagious.

Carolyn Hogan is the Day Center Coordinator at Pathways.

Annual Sporting Clays Event Benefits Pathways

By Karen Griner

Five dozen sportsmen and women took aim at homelessness last week by participating in Pathways' 13th annual Sporting Clays event.

The annual event is Pathways' largest fundraiser, netting approximately $30,000 a year in support of programs that help homeless women and children.

Sporting Clays is a sport where participants shoot at flying targets, known as clay pigeons or clay targets, with a shotgun. Points are awarded for every target hit, and each team and individual compete for the highest score.

“It’s a unique way for people to have some fun while still giving back in their own way and supporting a cause that continues to be an issue,” said Greg King, Vice President of Marketing for Iberia Bank and chair of the event.  “To the extent that we can chip away at homelessness and solve the issue, it makes the community a better place.”    

Fifteen four-person teams gathered at Selwood Farm in Alpine the morning of August 26 and enjoyed a warm breakfast, sponsored by Dunn Investment Company, before heading out into the woods for a fun morning of competition. Afterward, they unwound on the porch of Selwood's lodge, overlooking a beautiful view, while feasting on a catfish lunch provided by CEMEX and waiting for the scores to be tallied. Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company generously provided refreshments.

IberiaBank and National Cement were Major Sponsors of the event. Their teams went head-to-head with teams sponsored by Alabama Power, Altec, BBVA Compass, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, CMH Architects, Energen, Gray Construction, J.H. Berry & Gilbert, Kenworth of Birmingham, Kirkpatrick Concrete, One Stop Environmental, and Rives Construction Company.

In the end, National Cement proved to be the champions with a score of 368. Alabama Power came in second with 315 points. The top two shooters, members of the National Cement and Kirkpatrick Concrete teams, shot 96 and 93 points, respectively.

In addition to the companies who sponsored teams, food and beverages, Pathways is also extremely grateful for the the support of EBSCO, Warren Averett Kimbrough & Marino, Brasfield & Gorrie, Massey Hauling Company, Regions and Vulcan Materials. Thanks as well to the Junior League of Birmingham for sending a member of its Corps of Volunteers to assist with the event, and to the individual volunteers and staff who came out to Selwood to help make the event a success! 

Last but not least, Pathways would like to thank the Sporting Clays committee for all of their hard work and dedication: Greg King, Stewart Cox, Bart Moore, Randi Rhone and Robert Robertson. You all make a difference in the lives of homeless women and children!

Karen Griner is the Development Director at Pathways. She can be reached at karen.griner@pathwayshome.org.

Generational Homelessness

By Carolyn Johnson

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. As a homeless adult, Sharon wanted to come to Pathways because she remembered how safe and comfortable she felt as a child client. She talked about how her mother was helped and how, as a child, she did not feel singled out at school because she had the same school supplies as all of the other children thanks to Pathways. At the time she contacted Pathways for herself, she was not on good terms with her mother. Sharon receives Social Security due to a physical disability that leaves her unable to work. Shortly after moving in to Pathways, she found out she was pregnant. Sharon described feeling alone and unsure of her ability to manage it all. Both Pathways staff and guests showered her with emotional support.

Sharon found an income-based apartment within walking distance of the shelter. She quickly made friends and keeps in touch with Pathways staff. She received assistance with baby items, help in managing her bills, and continued emotional support and encouragement. Before her baby was born, she and her mother reunited. Her mother was with her when Sharon’s healthy baby boy was born. Sharon, her mother, and her beautiful baby came by Pathways to visit recently, and they all seem to be doing well.

There probably is not a one-answer response to what causes generational homelessness. However, we can speculate on a few contributing factors, such as a lack of educational opportunity, being stuck in a certain socio-economical state, learned dependency on community services without offering the skills for self sufficiency, a lack of direct exposure to other life choices. These and more may give some notion of how generational homelessness may occur.

Carolyn Johnson is a social worker at Pathways.

The Lunch Hour

Volunteers Cindy Rayburn, left, and Linda Stone serve up
smiles and a delicious meal from Milo's  August 5 to homeless women at Pathways' Day Center.

By Janis Evans


During the weekday, between 11am and 1pm, downtown Birmingham becomes exceptionally busy. The local eateries are all filled with hungry workers. These workers take pride in the “lunch hour.”

However, in downtown Birmingham, you will find many homeless women heading toward Pathways’ Day Center. 

Every day, 365 days of the year, homeless women and children staying at First Light, Salvation Army, the YWCA, Pathways and the streets head to Pathways’ Day Center for their “lunch hour”. These women all gather in the Day Center and enjoy a hot meal. These meals are sometimes prepared by our talented onsite cook, but every second Friday of the month, Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church generously caters the meal.

On August 5, we interviewed two volunteers from Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church as they prepared to serve the “lunch hour” meal. These volunteers were Cindy Rayburn, Pathways’ 2011 Board President, and Linda Stone.

Q: How long have you been serving the Noonday meal?

A: 1 year and about 6 months or so!       

Q: Why did you choose to serve the noonday meal at Pathways?

A: The church – Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church (VHUMC) – has always had a need for feeding those in need. The first year that VHUMC started preparing and serving the noonday meal at Pathways the church’s chef prepared all of the meals. Lately, due to changes in the chef’s schedule, VHUMC chooses to have the meal catered. Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church felt that this would be a great way to spread information about their church as well as Pathways.

Ingredients from this salad were generously donated by
local farmers who take part in Birmingham's weekly Pepper Place Market.

Q: Many volunteers often state they have learned a lot during their time at Pathways. Can you describe one experience that you will always treasure about your time at Pathways?

A: Homeless women are just like you. They are very relatable because all of the individuals are diverse and each woman could represent you.

Q: How would you encourage others to volunteer at Pathways?

A: Volunteering at Pathways is fulfilling. It is fulfilling because you get to see who you are helping. Especially with the economic crisis causing people who would otherwise not be in this situation to become homeless.

Pathways is very grateful to have Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church prepare and serve the “lunch hour” meal to our guests. If you or an organization that you represent would like to assist with the preparing and serving of a meal at Pathways, you may contact Janis Evans, Pathways’ Volunteer Coordinator, at  janis@pathwayshome.org or (205) 322-6854. 

Janis Evans is the Volunteer Coordinator and Development Assistant at Pathways. 

Zumba finds home at Pathways

by Karen Griner

Pathways' Program Director, Dawn Mitchell (center) joins
Day Center guests during a recent Zumba class.

The Zumba craze has found a home at Pathways.

Each Friday since July 22, about a dozen or so homeless women who are staying at First Light, Salvation Army, the YWCA, and Pathways have come to dance and get fit during a 1-hour Zumba fitness class now being offered at Pathways’ Day Center on Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N.

The idea of starting a Zumba class at Pathways came from Nena Moorer, a first-year board member of Pathways. Nena is a certified Zumba instructor and teaches the class to guests alongside fellow Zumba enthusiasts, Zay Allen and Valerie Green.

Pathways' Board member Nena Moorer 

hands a Day Center guest a "hip scarf" 

used in Zumba to help participants 

keep time with the music.

“This is my way of giving back,” Nena said. “It has just been uplifting to see the smiles on the ladies’ faces.”

Nena was on a dance team in high school and in recent years has run 5Ks for local charities. But she missed dancing.

“It’s been spiritual and fun for me, and I’ve made lots of friends,” Nena said as a Pathways guest came up to her and gave her a hug.

Nena, Zay, and Valerie have lost a combined total of 150 pounds through Zumba, and they hope to pass the health benefits onto Day Center guests.

Zay, who is a pastor’s wife, is accustomed to helping people work on their spiritual side. “With Zumba, you work the spiritual side and the physical side together,” making the body complete, she said.

Nena Moorer (front row, left) and co-instructor Zay Allen (front row, right) lead a
Zumba class to homeless women and members of Pathways' staff.

Karen Griner is Pathways' Development Director. She can be reached at karen.griner@pathwayshome.org.