WS Chronicle

The memory of Mildred T. Hash will live on forever, not only through her good works over the years but also with the award named in her honor.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, Pathways for Life Project Up celebrated its 2017 Mildred T. Hash Torch Award (MTHTA) Winner at Jason’s Deli, one of Mildred Hash’s favorite restaurants. Hash was well known for her good deeds.  She was a humanitarian who was a mother to orphans, opened her home to travelers and fed anyone who needed a meal.  Accepting the call to serve others, Hash and her husband devoted themselves to a lifelong service to humanity.

Although she has transitioned from this life, the late Hash’s work continues to fulfill her lifelong call to genuinely share the love of God with others through the MTHTA. The MTHTA was started by the non-profit to assist homeless women and their children elevate from their current status.  This year’s winner is Patricia McGregor of the Hawley House.

Dr. Francene Hash, daughter of Mildred, says her mother strongly believed in education as a means of getting out of poverty.  She says there are many organizations that supply women in need with shelter and clothing but not education. McGregor received a $1,000 check for being this year’s award recipient.  The funds will be used for her to complete nursing school.  She says she is extremely grateful for the Hawley House and Pathways for Life for helping her “get her life back.”

“The Hawley House has been very beneficial to me and it allowed me to go to school to become a CNA (certified nursing assistant),” McGregor said.  “I was nervous to go back to school but they pushed me and told me that I could do it.  Through the Hawley House, I have gained respect and I was also able to get a car.  I just want to thank Pathways for Life for this honor.”

Denita Mitchell, employee of the Hawley House, said she was thankful for the partnership with Pathways for Life over the past five years.

“This connection has been great, and I have even learned more about myself since we first connected with them,” Mitchell said.  “Two of our clients have received scholarship money and it has helped them with school and getting a place to live.”

Dr. Hash says her family has always thought of education as the key to success.  She says her parents have always been advocates of reading and education.

“It makes me feel good to know that our efforts are to help other people,” Dr. Hash said.  “We all have a purpose for being here, no two people are the same or have the same mission.  It also makes me feel good when we are teaching classes at the shelter to see those ‘aha’ moments come into those women’s faces.

“We try to help them understand that life happens and sometimes the bad things are part of the learning process,” Hash continued.  “We like to take lemons and turn it into lemonade, and that’s what we do at Pathways for Life.”