Welcome to the New Year! In the Chinese Zodiac, 2008 represents the Year of the Rat. The Rat year is a year of abundance, opportunity and good prospects. Rat is the first sign of the zodiac, and represents both leadership and initiative.

It is perfect to embrace leadership energy this year as Pathways' board of directors will convene in February for a strategic planning retreat. Over fifty percent of our board is new, with expertise ranging from fundraising development to real estate development. The retreat will define the ways in which Pathways will continue to expand its mission and its services and initiate new ventures and projects.

We are also welcoming new leadership to our staff. Richard Mandell, LAc, a founder of Pathways (when it was called the AIDS Care Project) in 1989, is joining the staff as our full time Clinical Director. Richard's long term dedication to access to care combined with his extensive community health and supervisory experience make us very fortunate to have him join our team.

A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal--nothing new for the staff of Pathways! We are all very excited about the projects we have planned for 2008 including:

• A Veteran’s Acupuncture Project providing free and low cost acupuncture to all Veterans at our Washington Street Clinic. Anyone interested in helping with outreach or service for this program is encouraged to contact me at kporter@pathwaysboston.org
• An early intervention addictions program serving adolescents using alcohol and tobacco in partnership with South End Community Health Center’s (SECHC) mental health department
• Mente y Cuerpo (Mind & Body) Program for Latina women that will include acupuncture, herbs and bodywork along with a weekly group meeting that teaches relaxation, meditation, yoga, acupressure and other self care techniques. This program is in partnership with SECHC.
• Community Style Acupuncture is all the rage in the national acupuncture community and Pathways is currently looking for space to open a center in Boston. This style is marked by high volume low cost treatments provided in recliner chairs using specialized acupuncture techniques. 

May your year of the Rat be prosperous!

In health, naturally,

Kristen E. Porter, MAc, LAc