e-Pathfinder | December 2021
We loved this note from Ms. L, who is receiving regular food deliveries from our Food Bridge Supporting Organizations while she works with our Financial Literacy and Workforce Development staff and volunteers to improve her family's financial outlook.

“Our family is so grateful for everything that you do and have done for us. The gift cards that we receive every other week have greatly helped us with the purchase of some staple food items, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Before we started getting this assistance, there was great worry if we would run out of toilet paper or feminine hygiene products before we would have the funds to purchase them. We thankfully do receive SNAP benefits, but having the extra assistance from the gift cards allows us to stretch our SNAP benefits even further. We are also using this time to work toward improving our future by getting financial mentoring and education [workforce] training, also provided by Britepaths. We can't thank Britepaths enough! Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for us to stay afloat while we work towards a better future. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Holiday season!”

Thank you to everyone who is helping families like Ms. L's stay afloat and work toward a brighter future by donating and volunteering for Britepaths and the Financial Empowerment Center at South County. And a special thank you to our Food Bridge Supporting Organizations, who donate funds and gift cards that not only put food on the table and free up funds so families can build savings and pay off bills and debt, but relieve stress and offer hope for the future.

This month, Our Lady of Good Counsel donated funds so we could mail grocery store gift cards to families, and the Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia are collecting gift cards and funds that will be distributed to our families in January.


We are seeking additional Organizations to take one or two Sundays on our Delivery Calendar in 2022. If your organization would like to help or learn more, contact Mila Cobos at 703.273.8829. We also have an ongoing need for donations in our Emergency Pantry. Click Here for details. Read More
Help and Hope for the Holidays
We are so very grateful to all who have been donating to help us provide gift cards to local families in need so they can enjoy a festive Holiday meal and gifts for their children.

There is still time to donate and help us assist 500 families! Any amount you can donate will make a big difference.

Details on Our Holiday page
Read the Fairfax Connection Article
A grateful family sent us a photo of their Thanksgiving feast! Click Here to see more thank yous and supporter stories.

Thank You to Our Sponsors! American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Peterson Family Foundation and Walmart Store #2015 in Fair Lakes
Please Note: Closed for Winter Break

Britepaths and the Financial Empowerment Center at South County will be closed from December 24 through 31, to give our staff and volunteers time to relax and enjoy the holidays. We will not be able to accept donations at our office. We will reopen on January 3, 2022. We hope you all enjoy your holidays and have a Happy New Year!
Fairfax Turkey Trot
A huge thank you to everyone who trotted on Thanksgiving morning at the Fairfax Turkey Trot in Mantua. More than 1,000 participants were registered! And a special shout-out to the organizers and the sponsors: Anne and Sarah Harrington Long & Foster Realtors, Ballston Local, Merrifield Orthodontics, Fairfax Dental Group, and RIBA Construction, LLC. Proceeds from this fun 4-miler will help our families in so many ways, and we are so grateful.
New Year, New Opportunities
Do you know anyone who is looking to jumpstart their career or improve their finances in the new year? Or do you know of a faith community or other organization that could share our information in the community? Britepaths and the Financial Empowerment Center at South County are gearing up to offer a wealth of free, virtual services in 2022, and we need everyone's help to spread the word.

Offerings include: Financial Coaching, Job Readiness Coaching, Tax Consulting, Small Business Consulting and Food Entrepreneur Consulting, our Avenues to Career Training Healthcare pre-employment program and IT training courses, and a variety of personal finance and career development classes and workshops. Several services are available in Spanish.
Staff and Volunteers at our last virtual Credit Report Review Clinic of the year on December 15.

Click Here to Learn More
and Share!
MANY Thanks!

2021 was another challenging year for our families and so many in our community. But throughout it all, the outpouring of support from community members, companies and organizations has been a bright spot. This time of year, we tend to have a long list of supporters to thank, and this year it is especially true. Our heartfelt thanks to the following organizations for recent grants, donation drives, fundraising events and more. And thank you to all who are helping our families! Read More about Food Drives and Holiday Drives.

GRANTS:



COLLECTIONS, DRIVES, ETC:
Daisies and Brownies in Girl Scout Troop 50692 donated more than 500 pounds of food to our Emergency Pantry.
Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Transportation employees collected and donated gift cards for families in our Holiday Program.
MBH Settlement Group and its employees presented a donation to Britepaths, and longtime volunteer Colleen Sweeney (left) matched it!
Britepaths
Our Mission is to provide our Fairfax County area neighbors in need with short-term safety-net services and empower them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency.