{"id":12109,"date":"2024-05-16T16:48:23","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T16:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=12109"},"modified":"2024-05-16T16:48:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T16:48:23","slug":"pathway-inc-celebrates-60-years-of-local-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/16\/pathway-inc-celebrates-60-years-of-local-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Pathway, Inc. Celebrates 60 years of Local Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Sena Mourad Friedman and Theresa M. Gabriel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Tricia Hall<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Community members, friends and supporters joined the Pathway, Inc. board and staff on Thursday, May 9, to celebrate 60 years of local impact in the areas of guidance, support and assistance.<\/p>\n

The program mistress of ceremonies, Artisha Lawson, welcomed all guests, shared agency highlights and facilitated the presentation of gratitude proclamations from across Ohio.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome everyone, Pathway, Inc., is an institute that elevates people from just living to existing with love and dignity,\u201d began Lawson. \u201cPathway, Inc., formally EOPA kicks off an 18-month celebration to mark 60 years of service. EOPA\u2019s emerged during President Johnson\u2019s war on poverty and is committed to uplifting marginalized communities through holistic intervention strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proclamations from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, President of the Lucas County Board of Commissioners Pete Gerkin, Judge Joe McNamara from Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Mayor of Whitehouse Richard Bingham, Mayor of Toledo Wade Kapszukiewicz, Toledo City Council members Carrie Hartman; Brittany Jones, PhD and Cerssandra McPherson, along with \u00a0a personal letter of gratitude from Councilwoman McPherson were presented to celebrate the agency\u2019s 60 years of service and express community-wide gratitude.<\/p>\n

The celebration then welcomed Board Chair Theresa Gabriel to give remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a family, there is a family in this room. We accomplished so much last year,\u201d said Gabriel. \u201cLast year, when we presented our first annual community meeting, we shared with you that we were about to embark on a new beginning. In 2023, we answered over 110,000 calls that\u2019s an increase of 32 percent last year. We assisted over 28,800 individuals and families with housing and utilities, that\u2019s an increase of two percent from last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Immediately following Gabriel\u2019s remarks and words of gratitude to the Pathway, Inc., board and staff. Current Pathway, Inc., Board Member Gerkin delivered a special presentation to recognize Gabriel. \u201cThis is to honor someone here who is doing the work,\u201d said Gerkin. \u201cThis award and challenge coin is to acknowledge your work, tireless work in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur vision for the future is to increase our outreach throughout Lucas County and serve as a light, helping those who need assistance out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. With faith and hope, it is possible to further reduce the number of people living in poverty and create a more just and equitable community for all,\u201d shared Gabriel.<\/p>\n