L to R: Rawnie Davis, Matt Kimball, Katie Bourque 

Mental Health Urgent Care opened last fall in Burlington and has quickly become a safe, welcoming space for people navigating mental health challenges.

MHUC offers a range of services, including peer support, which Pathways Vermont staff offer Monday through Friday, because connecting with someone who truly understands can make all the difference. “I think that’s what’s made our peer support space so successful,” says Rawnie Davis, a peer support specialist. “We spend time with people who check in, keep them company, or just listen. Many people just want a quiet, safe space — without judgment or expectation.” 

Pathways Vermont staff are trained in Intentional Peer Support, a practice that emphasizes mutuality, respect, and meeting people where they are. 

That’s exactly what Gabby Makatura experienced when she walked through the doors at MHUC. “It’s such a safe place—no one asks why you’re there or questions your agenda,” Makatura says. “There’s nothing like being surrounded by people who have lived through the same experiences.” 

In November of 2025, 71 people accessed peer support at MHUC, and peer support staff spent a total of 164 hours connecting with people who came in seeking support and connection. 

MHUC is a partnership between the Howard Center, Pathways Vermont, UVM Health Network, UVMMC, Community Health Centers, and the Vermont Department of Health. To learn more about Mental Health Urgent Care, click here. 

Quotes via UVM Health - UVM Medical Center

Our Permanent Supportive Housing teams around the state welcomed home eight Vermonters in December and January! Since 2010, the Pathways Vermont Permanent Supportive Housing program has ended the cycle of chronic homelessness for more than 950 Vermonters. 

The Development Team is excited to share that we will be hosting two Crossing Paths Tours in February! 

Crossing Paths Tours are an opportunity to hear stories about the work, people, and mission of Pathways Vermont. They are informational sessions that last no longer than an hour and offer a unique chance to engage with the staff who make our programs and impact possible. Please click the button to RSVP for either date. We can't wait to hear from you! 

Hi! My name is Annie Harte, and I am 17 and a senior at Burlington High School. I started working with the Pathways newsletter in November.

My goal here is to share all of the incredible work that Pathways is doing by highlighting board members, staff, and those personally helped by Pathways. I love to write and I love sharing stories.

I am the Co- Editor-in-Chief of the Burlington High School Register, and I’ve written a few plays for my school drama department as well! In the future, I want to continue writing both in the social work and creative world. 

Pathways Vermont is excited to partner with Faith United Methodist Church in South Burlington for their lasagna fundraiser this year!

Your volunteer energy will be needed to help make it a success. There will be two approximately 3-hour shifts to join. Interested? Click the button below to email us and be added to the volunteer list for this exciting event! We’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Interview by Annie Harte 

When did you start at Pathways? 

I started at Pathways about 10 years ago, when I was in graduate school at UVM for mental health counseling. I was looking for just a part-time job, and Pathways had posted a position on Craigslist for a part-time receptionist, and it was two days a week. And so I actually started at the reception desk, just doing basic admin calls and answering the front desk. I have moved steadily through the organization, and now I'm the Director of Program Administration. I've dabbled in direct service, but my brain has always liked systems and operations and detail. 

I love making study guides and stuff like that, so I'm really happy to be where I am in the organization. And the people who do direct service at our organization are just magical, magical humans, and I'm so happy to be able to support them.

What does your day-to-day look like as the Director of Program and Administration?

Every day is very different. Sometimes, I feel like the Director of Admin could seem like a very routine or boring title, and sometimes it is. Sometimes it's just like regularly invoicing for grants and working with our teams to make sure we're doing what we've told our funder we're doing. But sometimes it's definitely more dynamic, like putting out fires and writing proposals. It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Today, we worked on a proposal for our Department of Corrections program based on the new Burlington Recovery Act. The interpersonal part involves working with our teams to identify areas where they are struggling, what resources they need, and what feels good and what doesn’t. 

What is a particularly meaningful or inspiring story from Pathways?

The most meaningful and inspiring stories I have from Pathways are the stories of my friends and colleagues at work. I work with incredible people, and I love that, over time, I've gotten to know more and more about each of their stories, where they've come from, and what makes them who they are. Pathways is an organization that truly values lived experience and truly allows you to bring your full self to the workplace- it is one of the things I love most about Pathways and something that really impacts my day-to-day work.

Our Northern Permanent Supportive Housing teams recently spent the day together bowling and making memories. These teams work around the state to welcome people into their homes and provide wrap-around services to help them maintain their housing. 

L to R: Maria Moore, Megan Bridges, Lesli Blount, Nye Adamkowski, Jane Helmstetter,  Zoey Quigley

Pathways Vermont is grateful to be a proud recipient of funding from the United Way of Northwest Vermont! This photo was taken at our new home for Soteria House during a recent partner check-in with United Way staff and volunteers. Thank you, United Way of Northwest Vermont, for being such wonderful supporters of our work!

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Shelburne Museum for donating tickets to Pathways Vermont for their Winter Lights show!

Our Peer Support Center team visited the museum, where two special community members (not pictured) got engaged. Thank you, Shelburne Museum, for helping make the holiday season truly magical!

Pathways Vermont provides innovative mental health services and collaborative learning that foster choice, connection, and community.

Your donation today will make a positive impact on the lives of Vermonters across the state!

We are so grateful to each and everyone who supports Pathways Vermont. Your dedication to our mission is transforming lives. Thank you!