About PATH

PATH is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the nation’s first and largest community organizing network. PATH began in 2004, when clergy and lay leaders in Howard County came together to build the power needed to tackle the issues affecting people in their congregations and neighborhoods. In April 2006, PATH was launched at an action with over 500 leaders.

PATH is a diverse mix of institutions in Howard County. From churches, synagogues, and mosques to non-profits and unions, we talk directly to hundreds or thousands of people to learn what they are most concerned about in their community. Then we mobilize our members to take specific, disciplined action on the issues that arose from the conversations.

We earn our victories by consistently turning out hundreds of people at our actions and by persistently and consistently pressing our causes before our elected officials. We measure our results by the people they benefit.

We believe in building for power: power that is reciprocal, that is tempered by our religious traditions and power that creates a table that includes more people in the dynamics of public life.

PATH Members

PATH in Action

PATH is funded by dues from our member organizations, donations from individuals and the following funders and allies:

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Support Us

Your tax-deductible gift will help grow our organization and help us continue to stand for justice and fairness in Howard County and Maryland.

How You Can Give

There are a variety of ways you can give. We encourage you to consider a recurring gift in installments every month or quarter.

People Directly Affected by Our Work

Aziz Iscandari

Despite work experience and good references, for three years Aziz Iscandari could not find a job to help pay for school. "Howard County schools were great academic preparation," says Aziz, "but it's been very hard to figure out how to pay for college, since my family cannot afford the tuition, room and board." Aziz worked with a dedicated team of PATH leaders for two years to secure funding for and create our READY environmental jobs program, landing him a job as a Crew Leader. "Every penny I earn is going toward my education, and it's helping me prepare for the future. I've also learned how the things we do affect our delicate ecosystem and hope this will help us save the environment in the long-term."

Shehlla Khan

Mother of three and engineer, Shehlla Khan has been a top PATH leader on our environmental jobs campaign. Shehlla heard from many women at her mosque that they wanted a women-only swimming time for exercise and to teach their childrento swim. This issue resonated with many other women for a variety of reasons, regardless of religious background. With PATH's support, the Columbia Association (CA) created a women's swimming time. Hate groups found out about the campaign and flooded the paper and CA with calls and emails. In response, 70 PATH leaders stood behind Shehlla at the next CA board meeting as she spoke about the importance of what CA had done. An emotional board voted unanimously to continue the program. That night, Shehlla said, "There is a lot of anti-Muslim sentiment these days. People are being divided along religious lines. That make what PATH has accomplished here even more important. It is rare to see a whole group, of all different backgrounds, stand together like this to make the community better and help part of the group succeed."

Trish Vogel

Living in Howard County was difficult for Trish Vogel, who loved working at a daycare with infants, but found it hard to make ends meet. "For ten years I lived without healthcare because I couldn't afford it. When I had chest pains several times a day, I would sleep with a Bible in my hands because I was scared. Because my congregation is involved in PATH, I found out that I qualified for a special program that provides healthcare for people like me. When PATH started its door-to-door campaign, I spent eleven Saturday mornings talking to as many people as I could. It changed how I think about myself, to act in the community and be a leader, rather than just receiving services. It makes me feel like I have a purpose--that I'm really living for God and not just going through the motions."