Vote now for Greenwood Pathway House to receive Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Award

Truly inspiring! Anthony Price, right, executive director of Greenwood Pathway House in Greenwood, and Meredith Pitts, local Chick-fil-A marketing director, pose with the restaurant’s mascot to celebrate the organization’s nomination for a True Inspiration Award.

In only seven months of operation, Pathway Village in Greenwood has had an impact in helping 29 families, with 59 children, take steps to overcome homelessness permanently.

Pathway Village, part of Greenwood Pathway House, drew the attention of Brian Whitaker, Chick-fil-A operator in Greenwood. He nominated Greenwood Pathway House for a True Inspiration Award, which honors the legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy.

Whitaker’s belief in the mission of Greenwood Pathway House has been validated. The organization has been selected as a regional finalist out of 2,200 nominations nationwide to receive a grant ranging from $30,000 to $200,000. This is the only organization in South Carolina to earn finalist status.

The organization now is calling on people to vote in the national awards program to help Pathway House secure one of the True Inspiration Award grants. Voting, which is done via the Chick-fil-A App, continues through Sept. 23.

During a news conference, Anthony Price, executive director of Greenwood Pathway House, said the finalist status recognizes the success being made to help homeless families.

“Pathway Village changes methods of addressing family homelessness by utilizing two different innovative approaches,” he said. “The ‘village’ provides family cottages to house single parents with children while they participate in family wellness and Post-Traumatic Growth programs.

“By addressing the root causes of homelessness, instead of its symptoms, the Pathway Village creates a model for reintegrating homeless families as thriving members of our community.”

The Pathway Village concept was intentionally designed, Price said, to eliminate barriers, often found in conventional shelters that can prohibit certain family structures from receiving assistance. For example, some homeless families are single fathers with children, mothers with teenage sons or parents with multiple children.

“The typical shelter arrangement may not be able to meet the needs of all family configurations,” he said. “Pathway Village provides a compassionate, trauma-informed community where children and their parents can thrive because they feel safe, supported, encouraged and valued.”

Already, Pathway Village is seeing progress. Among the goals achieved since February:

• Seven families have moved into their own homes.
• 14 parents have completed parenting classes.
• 12 children are enrolled in an early childhood education program.
• 10 parents have completed a parenting workshop.
• Seven parents have obtained employment.
• Seven parents have completed a 12-week anger management program.
• Five parents have enrolled in a 12-week trauma healing course.

“We are encouraged by the successes of our families toward reaching their goal of ending homelessness,” Price said. “The True Inspiration Award is a great honor for Pathway House and Pathway Village. We are indebted to Brian Whitaker for his support of our work and appreciate the many people who already have voted. We hope more people will vote in the coming weeks for Pathway House.”

Visit www.chick-fil-a.com/true-inspiration-awards to learn more about the awards program and the grants available.

HOW TO VOTE

• Sign into your Chick-fil-A One account on your App.
• Select “Rewards” at the bottom of the screen.
• Select “News” on the top left of the screen.
• Click the “Vote Now” button.
• Select the Atlantic Region.
• Vote for Greenwood Pathway House by Sept. 23.