About Us

WHAT IS PATH?

PATH is a means by which we can renew the community’s voice in Howard County.

In our country we have become an isolated society. We are isolated from each other, our families, our institutions, nature, and our democratic participation in decision-making.

Once we lived in a very small physical world that consisted of our family, neighbors, places of worship, jobs, and the local political government. In that small world, the family was closely knit. Faith communities and other local institutions brought the families of our community together.

Today we have become more private. Most of us have very limited participation in public life. As a result, we have come to believe that we have very little or no effect on what happens in our community.

PATH enables individuals of our community to influence social change by bringing people together to speak with one voice.

WHY PATH?

The people of PATH work together for the common good and well-being of all – particularly the most vulnerable of our communities. This organization was not formed to address any one particular issue, but to address any current and future issues that will improve the well-being of all our people.

PATH is a broad-based organization comprised of organizations which see themselves as mediating institutions. These institutions have joined together to present a strong voice for negotiating with both the government and market sector decision-makers of our county and state. PATH is racially, ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse.

PATH is one of 60 organizations affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF). IAF has a proven record of facilitating social change and empowerment in local communities around the country and elsewhere. IAF not only helps to found these organizations -- it continues to provide training and guidance as we grow.

Locally, there are three other IAF affiliates: in Baltimore City (BUILD - Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development); in Montgomery County (AIM - Action in Montgomery), and in Washington (WIN - Washington Interfaith Network).

WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR?

PATH began approximately three years ago with IAF representatives meeting with dozens of congregational and community leaders. A solid base was established by conducting one-on-one meetings with interested persons. Eventually, a sufficient number gathered to form a sponsoring committee.

PATH was officially established at the first Delegates Congress held on April 30, 2006.

On June 11, 2006, PATH held its first public meeting with approximately 500 people in attendance. That number included members of 36 institutions in Howard County, 40 county politicians (actual and hopeful), and the news media. On that evening PATH:

In late summer, the leadership of PATH elected its first executive leadership team. This team is composed of two lay co-chairs and two clergy co-chairs. They are:

Lay Co-Chair - Mrs. Christiane Howey; St. Mark's Episcopal (Highland)
Lay Co-Chair - Mr. John Farrell; Patapsco Friends Meeting (Ellicott City)
Clergy Co-Chair - Fr. Gerry Bowen; St. Augustine’s Catholic Community (Elkridge)
Clergy Co-Chair - The Rev. Carletta Allen; Locust United Methodist Church (Columbia)

On October 8, 2006, PATH met at Oakland Mills High School auditorium to present our current issues to the candidates for the office of Howard County Executive. We will ask each of them to commit to adopt our issues as their own.

These issues are:

WHAT'S NEXT?

The 400 leaders present October 8 are taking the candidates responses to our questions on our three issues back to their institutions.

We will be spending the next several months building action teams inside our institutions.