Britepaths, Inc.

Britepaths' mission is to provide our neighbors in need with short-term safety-net services and empower them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency.

For 38 years, we have been providing help and hope to struggling Northern Virginia residents. Similar to a business, we provide a service to the community called social impact: the effect an organization's actions have on the wellbeing of the community. Britepaths serves more than 7,000 households in Fairfax County, which is approximately 11.5 percent of the households who live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

In 2019, Britepaths was honored to be named Non-Profit of the Year by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce in recognition to our long service to the community. We tailor our services to meet the ever-changing needs of the working poor or those in crisis. Our unique programs equip individuals and families with the tools they need to not only face any crisis situation but also to begin a journey toward lasting independence.

Britepaths aims to address the unique needs of those living in poverty or experiencing crisis. Our Financial Literacy and Workforce Development supports help our neighbors Build Resilience, providing tools to help them better manage their money or pursue better-paying jobs. Our Stability programs – Food Bridge and Financial Assistance – help families stay in their homes while they work through a crisis. Through community partnerships, we also offer Supports for Children, including Food4Thought weekend food packs, Back to School and Holiday assistance and Youth Financial Literacy. Learn More

Britepaths began in 1984 as a homeless shelter that rotated among several local congregations – many of which still support our work. When Fairfax County opened a shelter, we started a soup kitchen for the homeless. In 1986, we were named “Our Daily Bread,” and in 1989 we became an independent non-profit. We rebranded as Britepaths in 2016 to better reflect our evolving mission. As the cost of housing in Fairfax County rose sharply through the 1990s and 2000s, we shifted our focus to helping the working poor who had a place to live but were struggling to pay for all their necessities. In response, we offered emergency food, financial assistance and seasonal assistance, and eventually launched a Financial Literacy program.

Today, the families we assist are likely to be members of the working poor – often juggling multiple jobs – the elderly and disabled, or those who were financially secure but have found themselves in crisis due to job loss, debt or health issues. More than half of those we serve are children. The success of our programs can be measured by the thousands of Fairfax County residents who achieve their financial goals, avoid housing or job loss and take the tools they received to become self-sufficient.

We are able to provide these services because of donations and volunteer support of thousands of caring community members each year. We welcome everyone to get involved through donating, volunteering and supporting our events.