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More About PATH

People Acting Together in Howard is a multi-racial, multi-faith, strictly non-partisan, County-wide citizens’ organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. PATH is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest national, congregation-based, community organizing network in the United States.

Founded in the 1940's, the IAF works with more than 60 community organizations including PATH across the United States, and in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These organizations have produced impressive results in training thousands of ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse leaders to take action on community, city, and state issues.

What does PATH do?

  • PATH is building a base of power so citizens can influence the institutions that affect their lives.
  • PATH engages congregation and community leaders in developing an agenda around issues that directly impact their lives, such as public schools, housing, youth, day care and transportation.
  • PATH identifies and trains new leaders in the skills of public life, including the identification of issues, meeting facilitation, research skills, techniques to mobilize people, and negotiation.

What do PATH leaders believe?

  • Democracy is not merely voting but actively engaging in the public arena to solve challenges in our communities.
  • The "Iron Rule": Never do for others what they can do for themselves.
  • Leaders are not born, but made.
  • We believe in meeting face to face and developing the public relationships that are the glue of our society.
  • 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.

What are the benefits to a congregation or organization?

  • PATH will work with the congregation to identify and develop new leaders.
  • PATH supports leaders in their efforts to effectively address the common, core issues that are impacting their lives and communities.
  • PATH will develop a diverse team of leaders to support the organization's internal development.
  • All PATH member organizations are connected to a wide network that supports one another in their local and countrywide campaigns.

How can a congregation or organization join?

  • Leaders work with the organizer to build an PATH Action Team in the congregation or oganization.
  • Member institutions pay membership dues to support the work of the organization. The dues also pay for trainings, and local and county-wide actions.

How is PATH Funded?

PATH is funded by dues from its member organizations, donations from individuals and corporations, as well as the following foundations: