Health and Wellness

 Because of their histories of homelessness and street life, Pathways’ consumers have not had appropriate medical and mental health care, are not in good physical shape and have poor eating habits. But once housed and provided with some measure of stability, they usually wish to address their health status and change their sedentary and isolated lifestyles. This is especially important for the 400 plus clients who are taking medication for their psychiatric conditions. The medications’ side effects can be moderate to enormous weight gain, discomfort, diabetes type II, stroke, and/or cardiovascular disease.

In response, Pathways has initiated the following:

• A weekly Walking Group, which provides regular physical activity and a place for discussions about diet and taking care of one’s body
• Smoking Cessation workshops
• Stress Management workshops
• Healthy Cooking Classes, where clients learn to make better use of their income and to prepare nutritious, low-budget meals