WHAT: You’re invited to join Pathways to Housing and more than 100 formerly homeless women at Women Empowered 2009. Pathways to Housing is honoring our female clients and celebrating another year of housing and support for over 500 New Yorkers who have suffered from chronic homelessness and mental illness. The day includes a master class by an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre dancer, dramatic readings by clients and staff, and a sampling of New York specialties, including Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. If you want to learn more about the nationally acclaimed Housing First approach to ending homelessness created by Dr. Sam Tsemberis, founder and director of Pathways to Housing, come to Women Empowered 2009 and meet Dr. Tsemberis and the women who have benefited from Housing First.

WHEN:  Friday, April 17^th (activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

  Please join us for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Prince George Ballroom

               15 East 27th Street

               New York, NY 10016

WHO: • Dr. Sam Tsemberis, Director of Pathways to Housing

• Over 100 formerly homeless women who have benefited from Pathways’ Housing First approach,

  including:

• Gloria Roberts, otherwise known as “Purple.” Gloria, formerly a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T), is well-known among the Pathways community for her outstanding clothing and fashion designskills as well as her affinity for the color purple.

• LaTanya Smith, drug and alcohol counselor. LaTanya struggled with drug addiction for years, but

             with Pathways’ help has been drug-free for eight and a half years. After returning to school, LaTanya

             decided to give back to the community and became a counselor.

.

WHY: The women of Pathways to Housing have come from shelters, hospitals and the streets of New York City. Many of them have amazing stories – from years of mental health and addiction struggles to untold artistic talents. One thing they now have in common is a place to call home. Housing First, the revolutionary approach created by Dr. Tsemberis, emphasizes immediate housing with supportive services for homeless people (with no bureaucratic wait time or prerequisites). The New York Times recently credited this approach with a 30 percent drop in chronic homelessness across the nation.

* If you would like to interview Dr. Tsemberis or some of the clients before, after or during the event, please contact Katie Tichacek, Pathways External Affairs, 212-289-0000 ext. 1115 or 646-596-1237.