ALBANY, N.Y. – This week, St. Catherine’s Center for Children’s street outreach program, Pathways to Health, was honored as an Empire Whole Health Hero at a ceremony in Troy, New York. This recognition is given to Capital Region individuals and businesses that have demonstrated innovation and leadership in building the community’s whole health. St. Catherine’s Pathways to Health program was created to provide 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. The team connects those in need with services and resources they may not otherwise seek out on their own. Pathways offers case management and additional services to address the social determinants of health.

Human services professionals work with society’s most vulnerable individuals and families. At St. Catherine’s Center for Children, our team provides programming and services for children who have experienced significant trauma, families who find themselves homeless, individuals in need of basic services but not sure where to turn and so much more. The need for these services is never ending, which makes the jobs of our case workers and other professionals a 24/7 commitment. New York state’s level of commitment to human services workers must reflect their commitment to those they serve.