Our 25th year was exciting — as it should be — with program expansion, collaboration with organizations, and celebrations. We added another program to our continuum of care with the October opening of the George Washington Bridge Bus Station Outreach Program. The Port Authority of NY and NJ decided to build on our success with a similar program at the bus terminal, and by the year’s end the staff had helped some 216 people. Thanks to a grant from a state agency, the Open Door initiated a program to enable clients with prison backgrounds to more effectively utilize the health, mental health, and substance abuse services at the drop-in center to prepare them to move on to housing and jobs.

Collaborations with other organizations served a number of purposes. Summer associates from area firms helped us "strike out homelessness" at our successful bowl-a-thon fundraisers, co-sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Willkie Farr & Gallagher. A range of volunteer groups — from AT Kearney consultants to schoolchildren — provided gourmet dinners or holiday gifts for our clients.

But it was our selection by the Blue Hill Troupe that proved to be the most dynamic and fruitful partnership, culminating in the celebration of our Silver Anniversary at the Troupe’s performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience. Our staff and board members worked diligently with Blue Hill volunteers throughout the year and were rewarded with a great party, entertaining performances and a generous check for our ESTEEM program for vocational preparation and placement.

The theme of collaboration held force within the agency as well. Two leadership retreats led to renewed commitment to agency values and mission - and to increased teamwork across our programs. Staff came together to organize both a series of bowling tournaments with clients and the agency’s first staff appreciation picnic. A result of these activities and other practices was demonstrated in the high level of employee satisfaction expressed in a staff survey.

As Urban Pathways begins its next 25 years, we thank you for your interest and support. We hope you will continue to collaborate with us to provide homeless New Yorkers comprehensive services and the skills and confidence to move ahead.

Gary Belsky, President