PATH was founded in 1984 by a community collaborative of churches, synagogues, businesses, and concerned citizens who came together to address the growing problem of homelessness in Los Angeles. The group became incorporated as a non-profit organization with the mission ?to break the cycle of homelessness by empowering people with the tools for self-sufficiency. Our approach is to help people find work, save money, secure housing, and empower their lives. Based on the belief that the homeless need "a hand up, not a hand out," PATH's programs respond to the immediate food and shelter needs of homeless people, as well as their long-term needs for financial security and stable housing. We are revolutionizing the way communities approach homeless services through our Regional Homeless Center, which opened in 2002 and brings together 98 beds of transitional housing with our innovative PATHMall collaborative. Through the PATHMall, homeless individuals gain access to over 20 supportive services in one convenient location. The PATHMall has received national recognition from ABC World News Tonight, British Broadcasting Corporation and the 2003 Mutual of America Community Partnership Award for being an effective model for serving the homeless. Each year, we serve over 4,500 homeless men, women and children. More information on PATH can be found at www.epath.org.