From left are James Walkinshaw, Catherine Read, David Bulova, Pathway Homes President and CEO Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, and Smitty Connolly.
On Oct. 3, Del. David Bulova (D-11th) received the Congressman Gerry Connolly Spirit of Hope Award at Pathway Homes’ annual awards breakfast. The nonprofit provides safe, stable housing to individuals suffering from mental illness and to those marginalized by poverty and inequity.
This award – formerly called the Pathway Homes Spirit of Hope Award – is given to a leader who’s supported people struggling with their recovery from mental illnesses. And this year it went to Bulova.
“I’m truly honored,” he said. “This is an organization that has touched my heart. Today was especially meaningful, as the award was renamed in honor of Congressman Gerry Connolly. Thank you, Pathway Homes, for giving so many people the gift of hope and for making people feel empowered and valued, even during their greatest struggles.”
U.S. Rep Connolly (D-11th) died of cancer in May, at age 75, after serving 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors – including five as chairman – and more than 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Among those attending the awards ceremony were Connolly’s widow, Smitty Connolly; U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw (who filled Gerry Connolly’s seat in Congress); and Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read, who received this honor last year.