A Legacy of Giving
Stephen is a Pathways participant who loves to write stories. For years, he would pass hours and hours on the typewriter, creating his own world with the tap of each key. Unfortunately, after becoming homeless, he lost his typewriter and the tool to write the stories he so loved.
But thanks to you and the support of the community, Pathways was able to give Stephen his own home, and the stability he needed to start a new life. One of Stephen’s first requests after starting that new life, was for a typewriter to write his stories again. We immediately reached out to our community to find a typewriter, in this, the age of computers.
That’s when Mary Ann, stepped in. She quickly contacted us and said that she would donate her own electric typewriter. Not only that, but Mary Ann also purchased a 10 pack of ribbons to go with it. Stephen was overjoyed when he received the typewriter and immediately opened it up and began tapping away on its keys.
Stephen was overjoyed to receive an electric typewriter from Mary Ann.
This generosity is not something new for Mary Ann. She has donated to Pathways in the past, including personal funds and other items such as jackets, pants and shoes for other Pathways participants. According to Mary Ann, she donates her time and resources because she believes in Pathways’ mission, and wants to help participants “know that somebody cares for them and that they’re not alone.”
Mary Ann’s relationship with Pathways has been built over many years. Her brother, Jerry, struggled with a mental illness that led him to many hard years of living on the streets. However, with your support, Pathways found Jerry his own apartment in his old neighborhood, and with it a new sense of home. Although Jerry has since passed, Mary Ann continues to give back to Pathways to continue our mission, and to continue her brother’s legacy.
“Without Pathways, I don’t know how Jerry would have made it through these past two winters,” she says.
Pathways employees Kareema and Preston stand with clothes donated by Mary Ann.
Because of her brother’s time spent on the streets, Mary Anne feels it is especially important to let participants know that they are not alone. Many people often lose contact with their families while homeless, but Mary Ann worked hard to remain in Jerry’s life and tried to help him whether he was on the streets, in crisis, or in the hospital. She would often give him haircuts and bring him food. “He was so much more to me than a brother, he was my buddy,” she said.
“I want them to know that somebody cares for them and that they’re not alone.”
Although Jerry has now passed, Mary Ann says her relationship with Pathways and her brother’s story continue to inspire her to give back to the community. She says she wants to “give some dignity” to people who have fallen on hard times, and to raise awareness that although they are homeless, they are still members of our communities.
Without your support, people like Stephen and Jerry would never have received their homes and might still be out on the streets. However, with your help, and with people like Mary Ann, we can continue this legacy of giving. By working together, we can rebuild lives and give those who have been displaced a new sense of home.
About the Author
William Fewer-Reed is currently a senior at The College of New Jersey. He will graduate in May with a Bachelor’s in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. In his free time, William enjoys clearing out local Open Mic nights with his singing (some say howling) and guitar playing.
