Written by Tanya Terry, with photos courtesy of New Paths, Inc.
Featured photo: Great Hall at the Pius Campus
A new space is being occupied by New Paths, Inc., intended to be a place for the recovery community to come together and enjoy friendship, fellowship and healing, as well as to, at times, celebrate and to be together through challenges.
New Paths has been in its space since 1979, working with community partners to advocate for people’s betterment in the recovery space and sector. About two years ago, the organization moved forward with the purchase of St. Pius Church and gymnasium. The 14-acre property is located at 3139 Hogarth Avenue, in Flint.
Troy Ude, New Paths community program manager stated “Our executive director is connected to the church. He went there, and he certainly knew the leadership. Then, he had known that they no longer were going to be there and were selling the property.”
“So, we wanted to move to expand our services over to that part of Flint. There is a need. There is really very limited resources for substance abuse disorder resources over on that side of town. So, we wanted to expand our services to include the population over there that might be in need to access in-patient, outpatient or crisis intervention services. And beyond that create a hub for people in recovery or people who want to access recovery to come in, find a safe harbor or an entrance to recovery and participation, through various community partners or organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous, Smart Recovery and other organizations that partner with us. We’re still building it out, but we’re grateful that we’re over there.”
New Paths Inc. is also working on a partnership with the Flint Township Police Department.
Ude supervises the team of peer recovery coaches that work in substance abuse disorder crisis intervention called the Genesee County Quick Response Team. The team’s primary initiative is to work with local law enforcement and create a space for intervention for hospital diversion for people impacted by addiction.
“That’s something we’ve really been able to establish with the Grand Blanc Township Police Department,” Ude shared. “Now we’re working to partner more with the Flint Township Police Department in the same capacity.”
There are a multitude of ways that New Paths has already used the Pius campus, and there are additional projects the New Paths staff is really excited about.
For example, Brandon Kathmam, director of development for New Paths, Inc. stated the Alcoholics Anonymous group is “robust…with really incredible people.”
In addition, New Paths is beginning to host more recovery-friendly events for the community, with the next one being the Sober Bowl tailgate and watch party on Sunday, February 8.
Kathmam said New Paths would be delighted to welcome anyone to the Sober Bowl.
“We learned that there are very few tailgates and watch parties that are safe and accessible for the recovery community,” he said.
Kathmam found that many of these events were being held inside of bars, which can be triggering.
“Creating that positive, safe space for an event like that was really a no brainer,” he added. “There’s already been an outpouring of interest from current New Paths clients, New Paths alumni, New Paths staff and the broader community. All are welcome, at least for the many chairs that we have.”
An RSVP is required to attend the event at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2vyTeFuXkC3DBKF5OunOrigeA6z1teEhaxBKFD4hjd4TmJg/viewform
Food will be provided, and no outside food and drinks can be brought in.
Learn more about New Paths, Inc. at newpaths.org
