Site of a local family's temporary home
It’s early morning in Orlando and the winter has been colder than normal. That makes it difficult for Brian and Mary to sleep in their tent off the main streets in a secluded field. Their dog, Krystal, helps to keep the couple warm and they know that together, they will make it through the night.
When morning comes, the three bundle up their belongings, heaping over the sides of an old grocery cart, then, they take the walk over to Pathways Drop-In Center. Brian and Mary are both mentally ill and they have learned to rely on Pathways to provide some of life’s necessities while they struggle to simply understand the world that surrounds them.
Mary is legally blind and Brian believes he is heir to the throne in Ireland. He often looks up when he hears aircraft overhead. Brian is convinced his apparent family connection with George Bush will provide a helicopter transport to help take the family to a better place.
In the meantime, Pathways is that safe harbor. The non-profit organization first opened its doors in 1989 when J. Nelson Kull, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, saw the need for a place to help people like Brian and Mary.
The center operates on a limited budget and receives financial and volunteer support from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Orlando (NAMIGO) and other local organizations including the Chatios, Darden Restaurants and Dr. Phillips Foundations. Funds are also received from the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Orange County government.
Also active in administration and support are members of the Central Florida Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT). Lt. Deanne Adams, CIT Coordinator for the Orange County (Florida) Corrections Department, works with local law enforcement to teach select officers to become more aware of the mentally ill in our communities and how to interact with them when circumstances arise.
CIT training also included a jail diversionary program to help treat the causes instead of simply isolating and punishing them ignoring the primary issue – the mental illness. She has also devoted most of her free time to Pathways, serving on the board and helping to establish programs for the residents, organizing special events such as fund raisers and clothes and food drives for the residents as well as the consumers who have their own place to live.
Kull lives only on his disability income and and does not take payment for his services to Pathways. Still, the need for additional funding is stronger than it has been for many years. Increased need and the costs for the housing, community center, food, utilities and all other necessities continue to grow beyond the budget.
Pathways provides a safe place for those in our community who have been diagnosed with a mental illness – consumers. Hot meals are served, laundry and shower facilities are available, and sometimes local business comes out to provide haircuts, basic medical screening and services they would not be able to otherwise receive.
“Consistency and scheduled events are important factors in the lives of the mentally ill,” Kull explained. “They help the consumers with daily planning and responsibility.” The ability to learn the prescribed medications times and dosages can be critical to maintaining a resourceful lifestyle.
“Pathways is cheaper than the jail and hospitals,” Kull explained. “We work with Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare and the VA to help reduce the cost for the taxpayer by minimizing hospitalization and jail time. This also provides freedom and autonomy for the consumers which all Americans should have.”
It’s a closely knit family. Last year, Betty Graham, who was a consumer and also served on the Pathway’s board, passed away. She was confined to a wheelchair and, along with mental illness, suffered from obesity. But Betty was noticeably content with the person she was and wanted to do all she could to help others. “My mother’s life became more happy and positive once she was fully diagnosed and given the proper medication,” Lynda Pealer, Betty’s daughter said.
“At times she felt not quite good enough, which I find to be incredibly sad, because she was such an amazing person that loved absolutely everyone,” Pealer added. “She was a sincere, friendly, giving and loving individual. Finding Pathways Drop-In Center was what really helped my mother understand just how special she really was, because she was accepted and loved unconditionally by all of her friends there.”
Pathways consists of the primary “community” building that holds the kitchen, dining area, administrative offices, and entertainment areas that include a pool table, computers with internet access and a table where consumers can talk, share ideas or simply play Bingo. There are also seven separate duplex homes that serve as housing for fourteen consumers. These residents are charged a reasonable monthly rent that includes all utilities. Typically, disability income totals about $650 per month while conventional housing and other essential living expenses usually exceed this amount.
The residents are free to use the remainder of their disability income at their discretion. Edwin, who lives in one of the duplexes, uses the extra money to help fund his education. He hopes to be self-sufficient when he graduates from the interior design program at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT).
Prior to his association with Pathways, Edwin was homeless and did not have a high school diploma. Today, after –four– years at Pathways, Edwin proudly displays his drawings and models of home interior concepts. But as he stood with us, termites were falling from the ceiling of his duplex onto his work. He looked up to us and smiled, hoping we would understand.
David and Janna were recently married after meeting at a McDonald’s where David worked. Janna introduced him to Pathways and bother their lives changed dramatically for the better. David was homeless before he learned of Pathways and had served briefly in the US Army after but received a :not honorable” discharge after his mental illness became evident. The couple lived in an apartment near the center but a recent lay-off from a landscaping company placed them back in the woods.
“The center helps the community by keeping the mentally ill focused on their treatment and what needs to be done to maintain productive lifestyles.,” Kull said “It also helps to keep them in a place where others know and understand them.”
When Pathways Center first opened its doors in 1993, they served only about ten to fifteen consumers per day. Now, almost 18 years later, over 60 are served each day, totaling more than 1600 every month. Without the help of NAMI, Pathways could have closed many years ago. Funding is critical and many in the community are reluctant to “invest” in this sector of our society. Stigma, caused primarily by a lack of understanding mental illness, keeps some donations from making their way to organizations like Pathways.
Every year, local NAMI offices across the country sponsor their own NAMI Walk to help raise awareness of mental illness and for funding to assist and to keep programs like Pathways in operation.
In 2008, national recording artist Joyce Cooling performed for a WLOQ radio-sponsored concert on a Friday evening, then joined the Orlando NAMI Walk the next day. Many members from the area CIT program and consumer members of Pathways also participated. To locate a walk near you, visit the NAMI website.
Thoughts 