Early last month, a groundbreaking ceremony marked a leap forward for the community in terms of helping those who are less fortunate when Project PATH officially christened its new location on Lind Road.

The transitional shelter for the homeless is one of those feel-good projects that has been in the works for a long time but it stands as a beacon regarding what can happen when a group of people unite to make change.

The shelter is set up to furnish services to assist people and families that face homelessness. The goal is to move those individuals through transitional housing to permanent housing.

Project PATH is one of eight similar ventures across the state designed to create services for the homeless. Each project received $1 million from the state.

The state, and the governor, have made tackling the homeless situation in our state a priority, and Project PATH stands on one of those projects that can provide a remedy. No one can deny that the state faces a homeless crisis — a crisis that has been evolving over a long period of time, that, in retrospect, should have been addressed long before now.

Yet we must not get lost in the past. The Project PATH endeavor is a clear sign that the state wants to help find a way to solve the homeless crisis. The best part about Project PATH is it offers key services to give people a hand up. The project will also make a difference. It is a prime example of finding a way to solve a challenge rather than allowing a problem to be ignored.

The project also shows clearly what happens when local people get involved to find a way to solve a problem. Local challenges are best addressed, and solved, at the local level, and Project PATH proves that adage.

With a venture like Project PATH, a viable way forward is available to help those who need it the most.