L to R: Christin (staff), Neil, Stephanie (staff)

When I arrived at Neil’s apartment for our interview, he was waiting at the front door. He greeted me with a kind smile and invited me in. He offered me a chair, and we sat together in his living room as he shared his story.

Ten years ago, Neil was released from jail and started working to rebuild his life. Housing, however, remained out of reach.

He soon found himself living on the street in a tent near the banks of Lake Champlain in Burlington. Finding food was a daily challenge. “Whatever I could find is what I ate.”

He felt alone, with little support and no sense of safety. “It was horrible,” he said. “I thought about killing myself.”

After a year without shelter, Neil moved into a hotel room in Rutland.

It was around that time that he was connected with Pathways Vermont and enrolled in our Department of Corrections transitional housing program. That’s when he started working with Jeff, a Pathways Housing Coordinator, and Melissa, his Service Coordinator in Rutland. Neil was trying to stay on top of his physical and mental health, waking up at 5:00 AM to catch a bus to Middlebury for his weekly doctor’s appointment.

After two years in the DOC program, Neil graduated - a major accomplishment that marked a turning point. With Pathways’ support, he became eligible for a Department of Mental Health housing voucher. When an apartment in Bennington became available, he had to act quickly before losing his subsidy. Thanks to the strong relationships Pathways’ housing team had built with local landlords, Neil was able to move into an apartment.

The transition wasn’t without sacrifice. He left behind a trusted doctor and counselor in Rutland, and some days, Bennington still feels unfamiliar. But he hasn’t had to face it alone. What stands out most in Neil’s story is the connection, the steady, compassionate presence of people who are “there for you when you need them.”

Today, Neil is housed and healing. With stability has come space to rest, reflect, and connect with his new community. He’s not sure what’s next, but he does have one plan: “I want a beta fish,” he said. “I know what I’ll name him - Maverick.”

Soteria Leadership Team

Front L to R: Betsy, Jenny, Eric 

Back L to R: Nico, Kyle 

Renovations at our new home for Soteria House are coming along quickly, and we are so thrilled to be able to share progress photos as we progress in making this permanent home a reality. 

We want to take a moment to recognize the many people and organizations that have gotten us to this point. 

We would like to recognize the work of Jenny Johnson, Director of Property Development. Jenny's work on this permanent home for Soteria has brought us to where we are today.

In addition, we would like to thank the many organizations and people who have been key to the progress and funding of this project. Follow the button to our website to see a growing list of contributors to this project. 

Matt, Hilary, and Lindsay at MHUC

This month marked an exciting milestone in Chittenden County - one year of the Mental Health Urgent Care!

We are so pleased to be in partnership with the other amazing organizations that have made this important program a reality. 

Check out this photo from the one-year anniversary celebration this week. 

Hi - I’m Steph!

I describe myself as an empathetic, optimistic, lifelong learner. I’m a Rhode Island native, but spent roughly 12 years in Northern Virginia while I was in school studying Criminology. I’ve been in Vermont for the past nine years working as a professor, teaching students about criminology, the corrections system, and substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

I just wrapped up my sixth month at Pathways. As the new Director of Services, I’ve spent this time immersing myself in the daily operations of each of our programs, understanding our funding structures 

and sources, and getting to know the people who bring our mission to life. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting several clients and hearing directly from them the importance of our services.

On any given day, you might find me at any of our various offices or partner agencies across the state, learning more about and supporting our different programs. I might be in Bennington one day, meeting with our Balance of State Continuum of Care partners to discuss upcoming notice of funding opportunities (NOFO). The next day, you might find me at Soteria House meeting with staff and leadership to plan our upcoming move to our new, permanent location. While I have plenty of home office days to plan out content for supervisors’ meetings, review position descriptions, and program grants/contracts, I’m also taking time to conduct one-on-one interviews with staff across Pathways. This is helping me to get to know everyone on a more personal level, better understand their roles from their perspective, and really see what connects them to the work we do. 

What inspires me most about our mission is its recognition that traditional (clinical) mental health services are not the only option available, and that human connection can make a profound impact on someone’s life. I’ve had the opportunity to work a few shifts at Rosewood and Soteria over the past few months, and those experiences have been profound. I’ve already lost count of the number of times residents have told me how appreciative they are to have a place to go other than a hospital; to be somewhere that they can just exist as themselves, free from judgment, and feel truly seen, understood, and accepted.

Front Row L to R: Jill Peterson, Kate Logan, Rebeka Lawrence-Gomez, Maura Collins, Jane Van Buren, Gigi Weisman, Maria Moore 

Back Row L to R: Ian Speers, Max Dybvig, Henry Johnson, Hilary Melton, Sara Mahon

Hilary Melton (left), Jane Van Buren (middle), Maura Collins (right)

This month, board members and volunteers gathered to celebrate Jane Van Buren!

Jane served 12 years on our board of directors before stepping down earlier this year. We are deeply grateful for Jane's impactful contributions over the many years of her service. 

Thank you, Jane, for helping bring Pathways Vermont to the place we are today! We couldn't have done it without you.

Interested in learning more about the many programs and people that make Pathways Vermont unique? Crossing Paths Tours are happening around the state, and are a fantastic way to learn more about Pathways Vermont and the many programs and services we provide.

We will be making a stop in Barre on November 13th, from 5 pm to 6 pm at the Barre Congregational Church (35 Church St, Barre). Please email [email protected] to RSVP (encouraged but not required). 

Keep an eye on the Crossing Paths Tours page of our website for more dates in your area! 

Pathways Vermont staff gathered last month at Ohana Family Camp in Fairlee for a staff retreat! 

The day was spent sharing stories, recognizing hard work, and connecting outside in nature. Fall was certainly in the air on this beautiful day we spent together. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us!