Who We Are

A woman with curly blonde hair and glasses in a white suit, standing in an elegant, well-lit room with marble flooring, black and gold wall decor, and potted plants.

Lister Pathway to Purpose is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and creating opportunities for individuals in transition. Through transitional housing, mentorship, life-skills development, career readiness, and compassionate support, we empower individuals to build stable, purpose-filled futures.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. We are committed to serving youth aging out of foster care, individuals returning from incarceration, and others facing life transitions by providing resources that encourage long-term stability and independence.

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The Inspiration Behind Lister’s Pathway to Purpose

A woman with blonde curly hair, wearing glasses, a black blazer, and large earrings, sits at a desk holding a black mug that says 'Purpose Plan Progress'. She is smiling and looking at the camera, with a laptop, notebook, pen, and a small potted plant on her desk. In the background, there are bookshelves with decorative items and a framed quote that says 'faith over fear'.

Betty Veal

Founder & Executive Director

Lister’s Pathway to Purpose

Lister’s Pathway to Purpose was born from witnessing two overlooked populations facing the same heartbreaking reality: having nowhere to call home when they need it most.

As I learned more about the thousands of young adults who age out of the foster care system each year, I was deeply moved. At 18, many are expected to transition into adulthood overnight, often without the support of a permanent family, stable housing, or the life skills needed to succeed. After years of relying on the foster care system, many are left to navigate life’s challenges alone, making them vulnerable to homelessness, unemployment, exploitation, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

My inspiration also comes from a very personal place. My brother is an ex-offender who experienced firsthand the challenges of reentering society. Before he could be released, he was required to have an approved residence. Many incarcerated individuals remain in prison beyond their scheduled release dates simply because they have nowhere safe to live. Even after release, they often face barriers to employment, housing, education, and acceptance, creating a cycle that makes successful reintegration incredibly difficult.

Seeing these two populations struggle with many of the same obstacles led me to create Lister’s Pathway to Purpose. I realized that both young adults aging out of foster care and individuals returning from incarceration deserve more than a place to stay—they deserve an opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity, hope, and purpose.

Our mission is to provide safe transitional housing, life skills training, workforce development, educational support, mentoring, financial literacy, mental wellness resources, and connections to community services. We believe every individual deserves the opportunity to become self-sufficient and to build a future filled with stability and success.

At Lister’s Pathway to Purpose, we are committed to breaking cycles of homelessness, incarceration, and hopelessness by creating pathways that lead to independence, restoration, and lasting purpose. We believe that a person’s past should never determine their future, and with the right support, every individual has the potential to thrive.