Bill Text: VA HJR299 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Britepaths, Inc.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ299ER) [HJR299 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR299-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, for 40 years, Britepaths, Inc., has provided short-term safety net services to low-income families while offering the tools and support they need to achieve long-term financial stability and self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, Britepaths traces its origins to 1984, when it started as a homeless shelter that rotated between several local church congregations in Fairfax County, many of which still support the organization in its current form; and
WHEREAS, the shelter evolved to become a soup kitchen named Our Daily Bread, which was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 1989; as the cost of housing began to rise sharply, the shelter refocused its mission on supporting low-income families who were not homeless, but were living paycheck to paycheck and potentially at risk of a financial crisis due to unforeseen circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Britepaths adopted its current name in 2016 to better reflect its vital mission and innovative programs; the organization provides emergency food and financial assistance, financial empowerment programs, workforce development, and support for students; and
WHEREAS, Britepaths strives to deliver its services with respect, compassion, and equity to ensure the dignity and self-esteem of its clients; the organization promotes client choice and offers grocery gift cards to allow families to choose food that meets their cultural and dietary needs; and
WHEREAS, among its many innovative programs, Britepaths is the only organization in Fairfax County to promote access to fresh produce by offering farmers market vouchers and one of the few organizations that provide assistance for car repairs; and
WHEREAS, Britepaths maintains a wide range of financial services, including classes and workshops, coaching and mentorship, matched savings and zero-interest loan opportunities, tax and legal consulting, career training, professional networking, and small business consulting; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, Britepaths was selected by the United Way of the National Capital Area and Fairfax County to manage the Financial Empowerment Center, augmenting its financial resilience capabilities, and in 2018, Britepaths was selected by Measure4Change, a collaboration between the Urban Institute and the World Bank Group, to develop data management and evaluation protocols; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Britepaths worked with Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax to distribute direct assistance to 1,648 families and maintained the health and safety of its clients by establishing virtual programs; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Britepaths partnered with Fairfax County, the United Way of the National Capital Area, and George Mason University to manage the Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot, a general income program that also delivers financial coaching and workforce development services; and
WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, Britepaths was selected by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce as the 2019 Non-Profit of the Year, and its executive director, Lisa Whetzel, earned an honorable mention in the Center for Nonprofit Advancement's EXCEL Award; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Britepaths served a total of 8,000 individual clients and touched the lives of thousands more who were members of clients' households; and
WHEREAS, Britepaths has achieved success in its mission to break cycles of intergenerational poverty through the generosity of donors and partner organizations, the leadership and guidance of its dedicated staff members, and the hard work of hundreds of volunteers each year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Britepaths, Inc., on the occasion of its 40th anniversary of outstanding service to residents of Fairfax County and the region; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Lisa Whetzel, executive director of Britepaths, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's achievements as a dedicated leader in developing sustainable solutions to meet the needs of low-income families.
