‘WE STARTED FROM SCRATCH’
Pathways prepares to move into new Fellowship Center
GREENWICH — The old Fellowship Center for Pathways was a “dreary old building” — an aging one-story structure in Cos Cob with small rooms and little space, according to leaders of the Greenwich-based organization that supports people with serious mental illnesses.
But the organization is preparing to move into its new building at 8 Sinawoy Road, a project with a price tag of more than $1.1 million.
“We totally tore down the old building. We started from scratch,” said Laura Heckman, executive director of Pathways.
Now, the staff at Pathways will be better able to serve clients and engage in therapeutic activities, including guitar lessons, yoga, creative writing, art therapy and self-help groups, for their clients.
“We had originally intended to keep the footprint (of the old building), but when we
opened it up, the footprint was compromised,” Heckman said. “So, we ended up digging everything up and started completely over. It’s a brand-new design.”
The new three-level building will provide a social and recreational structure that complements and augments the clients’ work toward meeting goals, she said.
In a complete contrast to the old building, the new Fellowship Center offers a “bright, open and uplifting first floor,” Heckman said. Additionally, there’s a full kitchen, so they can now serve free lunch to Pathways clients in a proper setting, she said. They also plan to invite local chefs to teach the clients how to prepare special dishes.
“It’s a total night and day,” Heckman said. “We did a lot of cooking out because we could do that on grills outside. We still do that, but now, we have a full kitchen.”
Pathways, which was established in 1981, provides housing, education, health and other support services to adults with severe and prolonged mental illnesses — to promote their recovery, growth and meaning in life, according to organization leaders.
The organization manages four residences that provide housing to more than 35 clients, who need varying levels of support. Pathways leaders additionally provide case management and fellowship services to up to 100 other clients living out in the community. Most are from Greenwich, Stamford or Norwalk.
Most clients are living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Heckman said.
“Our clients really deserve, as we all do, an opportunity for socializing and for recreation,” she said. “And because of their illness, sometimes it can be very difficult or very scary to try to socialize in another space.”
The new fellowship building provides a “safe space” for clients to con
gregate, where everyone understands their unique needs, and can offer support, Heckman said.
“This space is an opportunity for people to do that five days a week,” she said.
For clients living and working part time in the community, it can be difficult to participate in fellowship activities during the day. With the new space, Heckman said, she hopes to expand the services, offering weekend opportunities and a Friday night potluck social hour, Heckman said.
“A lot of our community clients do hold jobs, so they’re otherwise unavailable during the day, and so, they miss out on that very important social time,” she added.
Pathways clients are expected to meet for the first time in the new fel
lowship building Nov. 2.
Planning for the new building began five years ago, and Pathways broke ground in June 2019. The process took longer than expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit’s leaders said.
Pathways had planned to host a grand opening celebration but decided to postpone due to coronavirus concerns.
Funding for the project came primarily from individuals and foundations. Greenwich Construction Company donated in-kind services, and Greenwich Window Treatment provided all the shades and blinds for the windows.
To donate to Pathways, visit https://pways.org/donate/