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Jim's Story
In the winter of 2002, 36-year-old
Jim was homeless and alone, having left
a troubled relationship and two sons the
year before. That's when Jim found Bridgewell's
Pathfinder Safe Haven, and his situation
started to change. At first, he came to
the Lowell center to watch TV, do his laundry,
eat lunch and socialize with others in similar
circumstances.
In January 2003, Jim became
a resident of Pathfinder. With a safe and
secure place to live, Jim felt as if he
had options. With the help of staff, Jim
applied for various state entitlements and
started to work at Common Ground Café,
one of Pathfinder's supported work programs.
With a regular job in a controlled
setting, Jim began paying child support
and reestablished a relationship with his
sons. He was steadily gaining confidence
and the skills to live and work on his own.
He completed the Merrimack
Valley Housing Partnership's First Time
Home Buyer's course, and in May 2005, bought
a house trailer in Tyngsboro. He says he
is now ready to look for full-time work
outside of Pathfinder.
Since the program's inception
in 1995, Pathfinder has worked with over
1000 individuals helping them to gain greater
control over their lives and become productive
members of the community.
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Pathfinder Residential and Drop-in Center
Located in Lowell, Pathfinder is a nationally recognized program that serves the homeless, those with a psychiatric disability and dual-diagnosed homeless adults. Pathfinder has been providing on site housing and drop in center services as well as community outreach support services for over 12 years. The program targets individuals who have been unable to access services and treatment needed to begin the process of reentering mainstream society.
Pathfinder received a "Best Practices"
award from the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), one of only three given nationwide.
Residential
Pathfinder has 12 congregate housing units. Residents are provided with a complete assessment of needs and are offered assistance in selecting and accessing medical and mental healthcare providers, administering medication, managing finances, pursuing entitlement benefits and carrying out activities of daily living. Transitional employment opportunities are provided on site as well. To date, only men have been offered rooms. The program averages four graduates a year.
Drop-in Center
Open from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. every day of the year, the drop-in center offers a safe and secure environment to have a meal, take a shower, wash laundry or just relax off the streets. The program is open to all homeless individuals, male and female. Its goal is to engage individuals, at their own pace, in examining potential treatment options, reclaiming control of their lives and eventually returning to being productive members of their community.
Program service includes: transportation to doctors, landlords and jobs; referral services; assistance with entitlement applications; GED classes; and linkages to other community providers.
For more information on Pathfinder call 978.459.3387.
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