Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie DuRard.
Hi Carrie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Jonathan’s Path began as a family response to a system gap we experienced firsthand.
As foster and adoptive parents, our family saw how many teens in foster care were aging out without consistent adults, stable housing, or practical support — not because they lacked potential, but because the system was designed to end at 18 or 21. We kept asking the same question: Who stays when the paperwork ends?
We started Jonathan’s Path to be the people who stay.
What began as opening our home for Sunday dinners and showing up for youth who needed someone in their corner quickly grew into a structured organization focused on long-term relationships, real-world support, and dignity. From the beginning, our model was intentionally personal — built around trust, consistency, and removing barriers that derail young adults during the most critical transition of their lives.
As the needs became clearer, our programs evolved.
We expanded beyond relational support into practical solutions — transportation access, employment readiness, financial coaching, mental health support, and crisis response through The Path Line. Each program was built in response to what youth told us they needed most to succeed, not what looked good on paper.
Today, Jonathan’s Path is entering its next chapter.
With a proven model, strong partnerships, and growing community trust, we are launching Path Forward Homes — stable, supportive housing designed specifically for young adults aging out of foster care who are ready for independence but still need a safety net. This milestone represents the natural evolution of our mission: combining housing stability with the relationships, accountability, and life skills that lead to lasting independence.
Our story is simple, but powerful:
Jonathan’s Path exists because no young person should age out of foster care alone. We started by showing up, we grew by listening, and today we are building systems that allow young people not just to survive — but to truly thrive.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No — it has not been a smooth road. And honestly, we wouldn’t expect it to be. Nothing about foster care is simple!
From the beginning, one of the biggest challenges has been funding. Like most nonprofits, we’ve had to build support year by year, often program by program — balancing immediate youth needs with long-term sustainability. The demand has always outpaced the resources, which means making hard decisions about pace, timing, and capacity.
Another ongoing challenge has been scaling support without losing what makes our model work. Jonathan’s Path was built on deep, personal relationships — showing up consistently, earning trust, and being present long after programs typically end. Growth brings pressure to formalize systems, hire staff, and expand programs, while still protecting the relational core that youth depend on. That balance is something we navigate constantly.
We’ve also had to adapt to the realities and unpredictability of foster care itself. Youth come to us with complex trauma, interrupted education, mental health needs, and limited safety nets. Progress is rarely linear. Setbacks happen. Systems change. Policies shift. Our work requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to respond in real time — even when it’s messy.
And finally, there’s the challenge of being honest about what success really looks like. Independence doesn’t always follow a straight path. Some youth move quickly; others need longer-term support. We’ve learned that meeting young people where they are — without judgment — is essential, even when outcomes take time.
The road hasn’t been smooth — but it’s been meaningful. Each challenge has shaped us into a stronger, more intentional organization. We’ve learned to grow responsibly, listen closely to youth, and build systems that support both accountability and compassion. The obstacles haven’t slowed the mission — they’ve clarified it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Jonathan’s Path is a Tennessee-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting teens in foster care and young adults aging out of the system — with one simple promise: we stay.
What sets Jonathan’s Path apart is our focus on the teens in foster care and those that are transitioning to adulthood, the moment when many supports disappear and the risks of homelessness, unemployment, and isolation increase dramatically. Our work exists to close those gaps through relationships, accountability, and practical support.
What we do
We provide long-term, wraparound support that blends relational care with real-world resources. Our programs include consistent mentorship and advocacy, transportation and employment support, financial coaching, access to mental health care, crisis response and so much more through The Path Line, and stable, supportive housing through Path Forward Homes — designed specifically for young adults who are ready for independence but still need a safety net.
What we specialize in
Jonathan’s Path specializes in serving youth who are often overlooked — teens and young adults aging out of foster care. We work in close partnership with state agencies and community organizations, and compliment their efforts because we can respond quickly, creatively, and personally to each young person’s needs.
What we’re known for
We are known for being deeply relational and highly accountable. Our model is built on consistency — the same adults, the same expectations, and the same support, long after many programs end. Youth know they can call us in moments of crisis and celebration alike. We are not a handoff organization — we are a people-who-stay organization.
What sets us apart
Unlike programs that focus primarily on short-term services or compliance-driven outcomes, Jonathan’s Path prioritizes stable relationships, dignity, and autonomy. Path Forward Homes represents our belief that housing is not the end goal; independence is.
What we’re most proud of
We are most proud of the trust we’ve earned — from the young people we serve, from state partners, and from the broader community. We’re proud of our youth and the huge strides that take on this wild journey with us. Jonathan’s Path has grown thoughtfully, not quickly, and our organization reflects integrity, transparency, and outcomes that represent real progress, not just participation.
What we want readers to know
Jonathan’s Path exists because no young person should have to figure out adulthood alone. Our organization stands for consistency, hope, and accountability — a lived commitment. Every program, partnership, and service we offer is designed to ensure that when foster care ends, support does not — and that every young person has a clear path forward.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Jonathan’s Path wasn’t created from a business plan or a trend — it was born from our lived experience as foster and adoptive parents. We’ve sat at kitchen tables during hard conversations, navigated systems that don’t always move at the pace young people need, and witnessed firsthand how life-changing it can be when one consistent adult refuses to walk away.
That lived experience shapes everything we do. It keeps us grounded in reality, not theory. We understand the complexity, the setbacks, and the resilience it takes for young people to navigate foster care and the transition to adulthood. It also gives us a deep respect for the courage of the youth we serve — because we’ve seen what it takes to keep showing up when the odds aren’t fair.
Our family is woven into this work, and that perspective influences how we build programs, how we define success, and how we measure impact. We don’t believe in quick fixes or performative solutions. We believe in presence, patience, and people who stay.
If there’s one takeaway we hope readers leave with, it’s this: proximity changes perspective. When you’re close enough to the issue, you stop asking “Why don’t they?” and start asking “How can we help?” Jonathan’s Path exists because we chose to step closer — and we invite others to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jonathanspath.org
- Instagram: JonathansPath
- Facebook: JonathansPath
- LinkedIn: JonathansPath
