From Summer 2026 InRoads Newsletter
By Sylisa Lambert-Woodard
CEO Pathway Homes
Pathway Homes is moving forward in a time of change, funding cuts, and growing costs, but we remain unwavering in our commitment to finding innovative and effective ways to serve those living with mental health conditions.
Work continues on building out our new headquarters at 4010 University Drive in Fairfax City. Our new headquarters will be the doorway to opportunity for people facing homelessness. It will serve not only as a base for our team’s offices and operations, but also as a resource hub for people seeking to recover their lives through access to housing, food, mental and physical healthcare, education, and workforce readiness training. The upper floors will include 10 one-bedroom apartments for our most vulnerable unhoused neighbors—an innovative and efficient use of this once commercial building.
HomeAid and Dream Finders have completed phase one of this development, helping us renovate the food hub portion of our building. We are grateful for their vision and early investment which reflects their commitment to being part of the solution and translates into more of our disadvantaged neighbors being able to live with the dignity and hope they deserve. Read more about the food storage project.
This building is also home to our Mobile Outreach Unit (MOU), a retrofitted trailer that brings services, including showers, directly to people experiencing homelessness in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. When not garaged at our future headquarters, the MOU is out at partner locations, serving as a touchpoint for persons who are homeless by offering showers, case management, and access to critical supportive services. The MOU continues to be well-received and will add more stops on its journey to change lives. Read more about the MOU.
This is also the time of year when we highlight the recovery journeys of the people we serve by showcasing their art. We are hosting the 13th Annual Summer of the Arts
Exhibition to share the creativity of individuals living with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. From July 1–31, artwork by formerly homeless individuals recovering from serious mental illness will be displayed at the City of Fairfax Library, a new venue for this special event. The exhibition will conclude with an Artist Reception on July 28, offering an opportunity to meet the artists, celebrate their accomplishments, and learn more about the role of art in mental and emotional healing. Most artwork will be available for sale, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the artists. Read more about the exhibit.
Our work is strengthened every day by the creativity, and innovation of the people we serve—and by the dedication of extraordinary employees who help make that work possible. In recognition of this commitment, Pathway Homes was named for the 11th time to The NonProfit Times’ list of Best Places to Work, ranking 36th this year among nonprofits nationwide—up from 50th place last year. Our talented team enables us to deliver best-in-class services to the people who are counting on us.
The future has challenges, but it is also bright. Our clients and community need nonprofits like ours more than ever. We are here to accept the challenges and innovate to ensure that health and homes are more than a pipe dream for people aspiring to live their best lives. Thank you for being part of our journey, and please know that your support is bringing purpose and hope to more people each year.
About Pathway Homes
For more than 45 years, Pathway Homes has enabled tens of thousands of people in the National Capital region with serious mental illnesses and other co-occurring disabilities to access affordable housing and critical supportive services to help them recover their lives. Following a housing-focused model, Pathway Homes is a partner in preventing and ending homelessness, touching nearly 2,000 lives each year and ensuring access to affordable stable homes in permanent supportive housing units.
