Britepaths

Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) - Funds from Fairfax County were distributed to Britepaths to disburse direct assistance payments to clients affected by the pandemic. Allowable assistance included rent and rent arrears, utilities/home energy and utilities/home energy arrears, and other expenses related housing. In fiscal year 2024, Britepaths disbursed 150 grants to 146 unique households.

Financial Empowerment - Britepaths manages the Financial Empowerment Center ("FEC") in partnership with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services and the United Way of the National Capital Area. Britepaths provides financial coaching and related services both at the FEC and through our community partners. Clients work with a coach, who helps them create a step-by-step plan to achieve personal financial goals. Britepaths also has personal finance classes and workshops on a variety of topics, pro bono legal assistance, asistance with taxes, and small business development services. Britepaths served 2,848 clients in fiscal year 2024.

Financial Assistance Program - Provides grants to families in financial crisis with payments to help with rent, utilities, car repairs, or similar needs. In fiscal year 2024, Britepaths provided 491 grants to 465 unique households.

Food - The organization coordinates a monthly food program by finding and matching a group of volunteers to a list of clients referred government agencies. The volunteers typically pay for groceries and/or gift cards and deliver them directly to the clients. In addition, Britepaths maintains a food pantry to make emergency deliveries to families with urgent needs. Britepaths also provides gift cards and other items to public school students in need.Workforce Development - Britepaths matches a professional volunteer mentor with a client to improve job seeking skills. Workshops are conducted on topics including resume writing and interviewing. Small stipends are awarded to eligible clients for job training.Community Education - Britepaths provides information about its activities to the community and referring agents and fosters relationships with donors through several mediums, including the organization's website, social media, print materials, display boards, and newsletters.Advocacy program - Board members and staff advocate for Board-selected issues to create an environment where Britepaths' clients can achieve long-term self-sufficiency.Seasonal Programs - Britepaths works with Fairfax County government agencies, community-based organizations, faith communities, area businesses, individual families, and other volunteers to provide school supplies, holiday meals, gifts of clothing and toys, and store gift cards to clients.Financial Literacy - Britepaths educates clients in basic household budgeting and understanding credit through four programs: one-on-one counseling is provided through the Financial Mentoring Program and Financial Counseling Clinics, small group instruction is provided through budgeting classes, and eligible clients may participate in the MPower Loan Program in which the client is provided with a zero-interest loan. Britepaths' staff train and supervise volunteers who provide mentoring and classroom instruction.