Walking My Own Path: Reflections on My First Six Months at Pathways
November 21, 2025
At Pathways, we believe everyone is walking on a journey. For me—as a first-time Executive Director and my first time working with an agency serving people experiencing homelessness—this has been a journey too. When I came to Pathways, I felt led here, even though I also felt unprepared. As a planner and Eagle Scout, those are feelings I don’t enjoy. But as I’ve settled into this role, I’ve become more confident that I am following God’s will for my life.
Having worked in the nonprofit world for twelve years across the Upstate of South Carolina, I’ve partnered with many communities and agencies. Pathways, however, was founded on something truly special—collaboration. It’s a word we often hear, but genuine collaboration is rarely achieved. Here in York County, it’s different. While we’re not perfect and never will be, the willingness and intentionality to work together here are genuine and strong.
I feel blessed to be surrounded by like-minded people who care deeply about our community. I’ve made so many new friendships and partnerships, and I never feel alone in the work. I often receive—and make—calls just to check on others. That sense of mutual care and connection truly matters to me.
After meeting with our board, partners, and community members, I realized I needed to get to know our guests on a deeper level. I’ve tried to be visible and present, but over Independence Day, I decided to “walk a day in their shoes.”
That 24-hour experience was one of the most impactful moments of my time here. I have never been homeless. I’ve always lived a middle-class life, and while I’ll never fully understand every barrier our guests face, this experience gave me a glimpse. From riding the bus and sleeping in a shelter to eating at a soup kitchen, I saw just a fraction of what life is like for our guests. Most importantly, I spent meaningful time with them—listening, learning, and letting them know they are seen and valued.
With the support of the Pathways Board and our partners, we’ve been able to try new things. We hosted a job fair—something done before, but this time we focused on second-chance employers along the bus route. The results were incredible: 103 job seekers attended, and many found employment.
That success sparked a bigger vision. We noticed three key things—there were available second-chance jobs, an unused kitchen during the day on campus, and a need to build job skills. From that came the Culinary Workforce Readiness Program, a partnership with York Tech and Chef Teshia. This program will help our guests develop workforce skills that can lead to stable employment and independence.
We’re also preparing to launch a Volunteer Chaplaincy Program, where local chaplains will be on-site daily to offer a listening ear, encouragement, and spiritual support to both guests and staff. Alongside these efforts, we’ve worked diligently to strengthen campus safety and security through better processes and partnerships.
The past six months have been a rollercoaster of emotions—joy and pain often side by side. Some days, we celebrate guests who secure jobs, move into apartments, begin a relationship with Jesus, or simply take a positive step forward. On those same days, we also encounter setbacks: a guest making a poor choice, a new arrival in crisis, or a facility issue on campus.
Every day is full of planned meetings and unexpected moments. We celebrate progress while wrestling with the ongoing challenges in our continuum of care.
Through this journey, my understanding of the need has deepened. Right now, our math simply doesn’t add up. On average, 45 new guests walk through our doors each month, and about 15 find their way to self-sufficiency. I once heard someone say, “All they need is a job.” At one time, I might have believed that. Now, I know it’s not that simple.
Every guest’s journey is unique, and many of their steps depend on factors beyond our control—paperwork, systems, and barriers that take time to overcome. But no matter what brought someone to our door, they are all God’s children, and we are called to serve them.
As I reflect on these first six months, I am encouraged by the progress happening on campus. I am grateful for the new friendships and partnerships that have formed, and I am inspired by the resilience of our guests. My prayer is that I continue using my spiritual gifts to make a difference—that my actions reflect the Lord I am grateful to serve, and that others see and feel that I care.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 remind me daily why Pathways exists. We are called not only to meet immediate needs—to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and welcome the stranger—but also to help people change their lives. I don’t want to simply meet people where they are; I want to help them move forward.
At Pathways, we walk with each guest on their journey—meeting needs as Jesus taught us to do, but also helping them grow, heal, and find hope for a better tomorrow.
Collective Impact in Action April continued to reflect what’s possible when a community remains committed to showing up for one another. Across the Pathways campus, partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies worked together to provide support, create opportunities, and walk alongside individuals and families navigating their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency. Throughout the month, 414 services were delivered across our campus. Each interaction represents more than assistance in the moment. It reflects collaboration, compassion, and a coordinated effort to help meet people where they are while supporting where they hope to go. One of the most meaningful milestones from April was seeing 10 individuals transition into independent housing , making it one of the strongest months we’ve experienced in helping people move into stable living situations. These moments represent hard work, persistence, and the power of having support systems in place that help make forward movement possible. April also marked the graduation of the second cohort of the York Technical College Culinary Workforce Readiness Program. Surrounded by family, friends, community members, and on-site partners, participants were celebrated for completing hands-on culinary training, building life skills, and preparing for employment opportunities within the culinary field. For many graduates, the ceremony represented more than the completion of a program. It reflected renewed confidence, discipline, and an important next step toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. The work happening across Pathways continues to grow through consistency, partnership, and a shared commitment to caring for our community in tangible ways.
Collective Impact in Action May reflected the power of a community that continues to show up with compassion and purpose. Across the Pathways campus, our partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies worked together to provide 357 services , connecting individuals and families to housing support, healthcare, workforce development, recovery services, food assistance, and other essential resources that help create pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency. One of the month's most encouraging outcomes was seeing 100% of those served enhance their health and wellness through engagement with healthcare providers, counselors, peer support, and wellness programming. We also celebrated seven individuals transitioning into independent housing , each milestone representing resilience, partnership, and the impact of a community committed to walking alongside people on their journey. The work happening across Pathways continues to grow through collaboration, consistency, and a shared commitment to caring for the whole person. Together, we are building stronger foundations and creating new pathways for individuals and families to move toward lasting stability and self-sufficiency.
Every Saturday morning, long before the doors open, volunteers are already hard at work preparing for what has become a vital resource for hundreds of families across York County. Located on the campus of Pathways Community Center, Manna House Pantry serves approximately 380 households each week, providing food assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity. What many people may not realize, however, is that Manna House began with something much smaller. In 2006, members of Mt. Prospect Baptist Church started a clothing ministry to support neighbors in need. Before long, a small table of canned goods was added to the effort. That table kept growing. "We had very few pieces of canned goods in the back on a table," recalled longtime volunteer Johnnie Mae. "From the table, it started growing, multiplying." As demand increased, the ministry expanded from a table to an annex, then to the church basement. In 2017, it became an independent nonprofit organization, and in 2019, Manna House partnered with Pathways Community Center to better serve the growing needs of the community. Over the years, strategic partnerships have helped Manna House expand both its reach and impact. Through its longstanding relationship with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and support from Food Lion Feeds, the pantry is able to provide fresh produce, proteins, dairy products, pantry staples, and other nutritious foods to the families it serves each week. These partnerships remain essential to ensuring community members have access to healthy, reliable food resources. Today, that small table has become a 6,000-square-foot food pantry operated almost entirely by volunteers. But for those who come each week, Manna House is about far more than food. More Than a Food Pantry For Ed and Melanie, who live on a fixed income, Manna House has become a weekly source of support. "We were just going by, saw a lot of cars, pulled in, and they were giving food away," Ed said. That spontaneous decision turned into a routine. "On a set income, it's made a difference. A really big difference." Like many families served through Manna House, they also share what they receive with others. "What we can't use, what we don't eat, we share it." That spirit of generosity surfaced repeatedly throughout interviews with clients. Valda Graham learned about Manna House through a chance encounter with a woman walking home with groceries. When she arrived for the first time, she was struck by the organization and hospitality of the volunteers. "I met these wonderful ladies and men who volunteer their time to try to help people," she said. As food prices continue to rise, the pantry has helped her stretch her budget while maintaining access to nutritious meals. "I'm eating better than I ever have," Graham said. Yet for Graham, the experience extends beyond food assistance. "This is part of my therapy," she said. "Because I know they pray for me too." A Community That Keeps Showing Up One of the most common themes heard from clients was not the food itself, but the people. "It's good to see the same ones over and over," Melanie said. "You feel a connection to them." Lawrence Simms has been visiting Manna House for years, often picking up food not only for himself but also for neighbors who cannot make the trip. "I come for handicapped people who can't get assistance to come here," he said. "I take it to their homes and deliver it." When asked what makes Manna House different, Simms did not hesitate. "Every last one of them," he said of the volunteers. "I consider them as my brothers and my sisters too." Volunteer Bill Scales has witnessed those relationships develop over more than a decade of service. "You definitely get used to the clients," Scales said. "When you're not here for a while, they'll say, 'Where were you last week?'" For many visitors, those familiar faces provide comfort, consistency, and a sense of belonging. Powered by Volunteers While hundreds of families arrive each Saturday, the work begins long before the first car enters the line. Throughout the week, volunteers sort food, stock shelves, prepare bags, enter client data, organize deliveries, and coordinate distributions. Approximately 25 regular volunteers support the operation during the week, with additional churches, civic groups, businesses, and community organizations serving on Saturdays. The pantry is also guided by a dedicated volunteer board of directors whose leadership helps sustain the organization's mission, operations, and long-term growth. Together, board members and volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year to ensure families throughout York County have access to nutritious food and compassionate support. Despite the scale of the operation, there are no paid employees running the pantry. Everything is powered by volunteers. "We love it," volunteer Debbie said. "It's fun giving them food." Her fellow volunteer Cindy echoed that sentiment. "They're very grateful." For many volunteers, the work is deeply rooted in faith and service. "I feel that God has blessed me to be able to do this," Johnnie Mae said. "As long as He lets me do it, I'm going to do it." Feeding More Than Hunger As one of the longest-standing partner agencies located on the Pathways Community Center campus, Manna House plays an important role in ensuring individuals and families can access basic necessities while working toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. The pantry's impact reaches far beyond the groceries loaded into vehicles each Saturday. It is reflected in neighbors sharing food with neighbors. In volunteers who know clients by name. In seniors stretching fixed incomes. In families making it through another week. In relationships built one conversation at a time. For those who have experienced Manna House firsthand, one word surfaced again and again. "Blessing." And after nearly two decades of serving York County, that blessing continues to grow. The work of Manna House reminds us that addressing food insecurity is about more than providing a meal. It is about creating a community where people feel seen, supported, and cared for. It is about neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers faithfully showing up week after week, and partnerships that make it possible to meet a critical need with dignity and compassion. As part of the collaborative network of agencies on the Pathways campus, Manna House continues to serve as a lifeline for hundreds of households each week, ensuring that individuals and families have access to nutritious food while taking steps toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. For those who need support or those looking for a place to serve, the message from the Manna House team remains simple: "We're here to serve," Scales said. "Anyone in need, if they're hungry, send them in this direction." Written by Tadean Page
