Albany County awards $150K grant to St. Catherine’s Pathways program

St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany logo.

ALBANY – St. Catherine’s Center for Children was recently awarded a $150,000 American Recovery Plan Act grant from the Albany County Community Development Grant Program to support the agency’s Pathways to Health & Housing, a street outreach program serving at-risk people who typically do not have access to or seek primary and behavioral health care services on their own.

“This generous grant from Albany County is a game-changer for our Pathways program,” said Cindy Kouhout, executive director of St. Catherine’s Center for Children. “These funds allow our agency the ability to not only continue but expand its street outreach and intervene before community members reach a critical point.”

The grant will enable Pathways to Health & Housing to continue direct outreach and engagement in the community. With its “Care-A-Van” mobile unit, the Pathways team can set up on the street, in parking lots and anywhere necessary to meet with individuals and families in need. Pathways offers case management and additional services to address the many social determinants of health that have a significant impact on clients’ lives.

“Albany County’s investment in our Pathways program is a testament to their commitment to the community,” said Michele Puleo O’Hare, executive director of the Foundation of St. Catherine’s Center for Children. “Without support, our program would not exist and those we serve would have nowhere to turn. We’re truly grateful for these funds.”

St. Catherine’s Pathways program serves community members by linking them with local resources to improve their overall well-being. Examples of services include enrolling individuals to health care services, assisting with transportation to medical appointments and filling prescriptions. In addition, the program’s Care-A-Van meets individuals in the community to disperse food items, diapers, hygiene products, basic clothing needs, health literacy information and more.

“We are proud to award this grant to the Pathways to Health & Housing program,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “St. Catherine’s is making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. We hope this grant award will serve as an inspiration for the community to rally behind St. Catherine’s worthy mission.”

To illustrate how Pathways makes a difference, in 2021 the Albany Police Department alerted program staff to an individual sleeping on a park bench, during sub-zero temperatures. The Pathways team placed the individual in a hotel for the weekend while they connected him with a primary care physician to resume needed medication. St. Catherine’s Project HOST program was then able to help the individual secure an apartment where he has remained permanently housed and is now thriving.

Through St. Catherine’s Pathways to Health & Housing, St. Catherine’s builds relationships with community members to build a bridge of trust, compassion, and respect for everyone.