It’s International Women’s Week, and we are celebrating by highlighting the hard-working, dedicated and caring women of Pathlight HOME. They help us serve those experiencing homelessness by providing affordable housing and economic opportunities. We spoke to a few of the devoted women of Pathlight HOME about what motivates them to serve their community and how they found their way to Pathlight.

We are proud to announce that Babette Allen has been named the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Pathlight HOME. Babette has served as president since 2020, and has been with the organization for more than 16 years. Helaine Blum, our co-founder, and who has spent more than 30 years serving the homeless in our community, will serve as president emeritus. 

“Babette’s passion and extensive experience serving the unhoused in our community makes her the perfect leader for Pathlight HOME,” said Larri Thatcher, board chair of Pathlight HOME. “With thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness in our community, the importance of our work is even greater and Babette will help guide Pathlight into the future.”

Since joining Pathlight in 2007, Babette has helped spearhead a number of service expansions, including the opening of an employment resource center and the acquisition of Pathways Drop-In Center, a respite center that primarily focuses on the underserved who have a mental illness. 

“I’m thankful to our board for trusting me to carry out the legacy of what Reverend Fred Maxwell and Helaine Blum created more than 30 years ago to address this need in our community,” said Allen. “We’ve long recognized that housing is only the first step to addressing homelessness, and in the coming months, I’m excited to share what we have on the horizon to better serve our clients and our community.”

Pathlight HOME is Central Florida's first and largest provider of the housing first model. Each year, the organization houses more than 600 men and women, while also connecting its clients to career training opportunities, a food pantry and various community resources. To learn more about how you can support Pathlight HOME, visit https://pathlighthome.org.

After a stroke left Scott unable to keep his job, he was suddenly faced with years of homelessness – living on and off the streets and unable to find stable housing. 

When he could find the money, he would rent a room at an area motel. But most days, he found himself at a bus station, a train station or the pavement. 

However, in late 2022, Scott’s journey to permanent housing began when he reached out to Orange County Government for help. Within days, the County connected Scott to one of our case managers who quickly worked alongside Scott to find a solution to his situation. 

Thanks to the support of the County and the Homeless Service Network, Scott is now a resident at Maxwell Garden Apartments, and part of our Home for New Beginnings (HNB) program, which provides a permanent supportive home to adults who have a disability. As part of the program, rent for residents does not exceed more than 30 percent of their income. 

“The team at Pathlight HOME are so dedicated to their clients,” shares Scott. “If you’re willing to put in the work, they are with you along the way.”

Scott's journey serves as a heartwarming reminder that, with the right support and determination, anyone can overcome the challenges they face and find a new beginning.

Learn more about how you can help others take the first step toward a safe, dignified home.

We recently had the opportunity to see these words in action on Martin Luther King Jr Day when the Orlando Magic partnered with us on a beautification project at Maxwell Terrace Apartments. 

“Community partners play an integral part in making a lasting impact on those we serve,” said Babette Allen, CEO of Pathlight HOME. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Orlando Magic for their commitment to taking action and showing what good can be done when we come together to support our community.”

Following Hurricane Ian, more than 90 apartment units were flooded at Maxwell Terrace. To help with the restoration and clean up of the community, more than 20 Orlando Magic team members volunteered to help paint, garden and clean up the community. 

“The Orlando Magic are honored to join Pathlight HOME to recognize and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service to our community,” said Magic Executive Vice President of Marketing and Social Responsibility Shelly Wilkes. “Working to help Pathlight HOME beautify their neighborhood is part of the fabric of our organization and helps us achieve our mission to be World Champions both on and off the court. We are thrilled to join them today in lifting up our neighbors and providing them with a place they can feel pride in.”

To learn more about how you can support Pathlight HOME, visit https://pathlighthome.org.

During our recent Pathlight Seasons event, we spread some much needed holiday cheer, providing hot meals and gifts to more than 80 residents at Maxwell Terrace Apartments.

The celebration was extra special as some of the gifts helped residents refurnish their homes after losing so much after Hurricane Ian. After the storm, more than 90 apartment units were flooded at Maxwell Terrace Apartments – temporarily displacing residents and leaving them without essentials like mattresses, furniture, towels and clothing. 

“We’re so thankful to the community for their support in helping us make this celebration even more meaningful to our residents,” said Babette Allen, president of Pathlight HOME. “It takes time to rebuild, and this is just one way we can share our compassion and care for the people we serve each day.”

The annual Pathlight Season celebration is held for residents who are part of our permanent supportive housing programs. In addition to housing, they have access to case management services, economic and job opportunities, a food pantry, mental health programs and more.  

Dozens of community members donated gifts to make the celebration a success. To learn more about how you can support Pathlight HOME, visit https://pathlighthome.org.

Carolyn’s childhood stopped abruptly when she was in the tenth grade and her father walked out on the family. “I learned to protect the family,” she says. At first both working and going to school, she eventually dropped out to work full-time and help her mother support her four sisters and two brothers.   

Marrying a wonderful man in 1979, they bought a home in Tangelo Park. Carolyn began working for Orlando Regional Medical Center, first in the laundry for five years and then in the kitchen for the next 25 years. “I did everything in the kitchen. I learned to make fruited Jello; I made everything they served and went to every spot. They always called on me [when others were out].” She laments that, though they had classes, she worked so much she never had time to get her ServSafe Food Handler Certification…and never learned to debone a chicken!

When Carolyn’s husband died in 2011, after 32 years of a happy marriage, she went into a major depression. Adding to her heartbreak, an unfortunate retirement investment her husband made during the real estate debacle a few years earlier caused her to lose her home in 2012. That’s when she found Maxwell Terrace and moved in.

Giving the credit to her church and faith in God, Carolyn’s deep depression subsided, even after learning in 2019 that she needed dialysis three days per week. She started taking advantage of the new services at Maxwell Terrace. Through the Marketplace, “I can clean my apartment better with the products. The food, bedding, pots and pans, spiritual books and clothes…,” she says gratefully. And she’s thrilled with the assistance from Fernando in our Employment Center, through which she plans to earn her GED, construct a resume and, hopefully, get a part-time job. “I’ve got a lot planned for this year,” she boasts.  

Yet, nothing is as fulfilling as having just completed our Pathlight Kitchen Culinary Training Program and, after all her years working in the kitchen, earning her Food Handler Certificate and Food Allergen Certificate. “That is the greatest thing in my life,” she says. “They accepted me, even with the dialysis. Chef Esteban said ‘Your health is more important.’” He worked one-on-one to make sure she was on par with the class. “He respected me. I really learned a lot…sauces, gravies, deboning” and so much more! She loves Chef and Fernando so much, that “I’m going to take the hospitality class they’re giving.”

“They change people’s lives here, one life at a time,” says Carolyn. “People here spread faith by showing love and helping.” We’re so glad her faith opened her up to let us in!

Fernando has made history at Pathlight HOME one of the first-ever employees of our Employment Center. Ever since the exciting and essential service opened in July 2020, this warm and experienced professional has helped lead the charge to provide job search resources to the community.

Fernando knew from his early career days in Homestead, Florida that he wanted to “help people have better lives.” In his position at Job Corps, that inner drive helped him create a partnership to further his young adult clients’ education. It then propelled him to opportunities at CareerSource South Florida, helping adults navigate the job pursuit process. Interestingly, Fernando then changed course. He went into law enforcement, until he realized, “I did more good helping with employment and education.” We’re sure glad of that!

Though a pandemic may not seem the best time to start a new nonprofit endeavor, Covid-19’s layoffs made job search assistance all the more crucial in our community. Thanks to Fernando’s knowledge and zeal, a generous Orange County grant, a plan and dream, and much staff commitment, the Pathlight HOME Employment Center was born. What started for Fernando as “a large empty room, a reception desk, and two computers” has grown to serve between 104 and 130 people per week, all distanced and masked for Covid protection. Computers, one-on-one help and a training room are available; and the list of services and trainings is extensive.

Fernando talks with pride about his team, our clients, the new partnerships with three corporations that provide intern experiences, and the “Shining Month” when 62 people got hired. He grins sheepishly when asked which Employment Center offering is his highlight and admits he’s partial to collaborating with our Pathlight Kitchen Culinary Training Program. There, he interviews and orients students and meets with them before each class to help with life skills needed for success.

Fernando says he likes that the students are excited about what they learn. We think what he REALLY likes are the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen and the cooking tips!

With the holiday season upon us, Pathlight HOME knew it was the perfect time to say “thank you” to those who have so generously supported us all year long. You have helped so many whose lives are changing, such as our Maxwell Terrace resident, Alphonso.

Alphonso was raring to go to college on a wrestling scholarship, when his life changed forever. At the young age of 18, he was hit by a drunk driver. The crash resulted in a multitude of surgeries, the loss of one leg, and pins throughout the other leg. Not only was his dream lost, but he was ready to give up on life. Only the love and encouragement of his mother pulled him from the depths of despair. “Just by her being there and talking to me,” he recalls. That was 1990.

For Alphonso, learning to walk with a prosthetic was freeing, yet painful. He took on some seasonal work, learned to drive and to ride a bicycle and, sadly, got shot when he went to visit his dad in Ft. Pierce. Then, Alphonso wasn’t able to work at all.

In 1992, “I found someone who wanted me,” he reminisces. Together, they had four children, changing his entire outlook on life. “They were my light and heart,” he emotes. “They gave me a sense of living…made me feel whole again.”

Over the next 13 years, he had four more children with another partner. He found himself needing somewhere to live on his disability income. But where? What could he afford? Thanks to his nephew, he found Maxwell Terrace!

Today, Alphonso is a happy man! “I never thought I’d be in my own place,” he says. Not only does he thank the Lord, but he is grateful for those who have donated items to our Marketplace and for our entire Resource Center. Almost disbelieving, he shares that he got a microwave, dishes, bedding, hygiene items, food, cookware and shoes! In fact, thanks to the Marketplace, a few longtime friends and some family, he now has, “Stuff to make my apartment look like home.”

His appreciation for Pathlight HOME staff and services could light up a room! He is thankful that his case manager, Henry, is able to assist with bus passes for medical appointments; that Gabriella helps with food and needed items; and that Belinda is there to greet him with a smile. “The whole staff is awesome; it’s a blessing. They’ve got all kinds of services, all kinds of resources,” he says.

“It’s a pathway to life,” says Alphonso. “People just need to apply themselves. It changed my life tremendously.”