Pathways to Independence

Programs and services provided by Pathways to Independence include:

o A fully supported college education including the cost of tuition, school supplies, books and computers. Participants receive professional oversight and management of courses, schedules and grades.

o Access to over 100 healthcare professionals. Pathways relies on a network of pro-bono medical providers to ensure each client has their basic healthcare needs met, such as optometry, glasses, dental care and annual physicals.

o Weekly interaction with a mentor and therapists.

o Participants without a car are given a reliable used vehicle. The cost of labor maintenance and roadside assistance are covered by the organization and volunteers.

o Access to a wide variety of local professionals (lawyers, accountants, printers, etc.)

o On-Site housing or a monthly stipend to offset housing expenses. The organization provides program participants their own safe and clean environment.

The Education Initiative by Pathways to Independence was started in 1991. The founders had an initial goal of helping a former student further her education. They provided her with a comprehensive and supportive platform which enabled her to complete her education without any major distractions. This model continues to provide a successful outcome. This is achieved by removing all barriers that keep our clients from focusing solely on furthering their education while given the opportunity to heal from past trauma and abuse.
Over the last 30 years, Pathways to Independence has provided hundreds of young women with the opportunity to achieve their dreams of self-sustainability by attaining a college degree or further developing a technical or trade skill. We serve between 30 and 50 clients each year and they remain in our program for 3-5 years.
Pathways to Independence relies on the support of over 300 volunteers and professional community members who offer their services either pro-bono or at a discounted rate. These professional are Therapists, Doctors, Optometrists, Dentists, Mechanics, and Accountants who support our client through every facet of life while participating in our program.
The Education Initiative by Pathways to Independence includes a fully supported college education including the cost of tuition, school supplies, books, laptops, printers and computers. Participants receive professional oversight and management of courses, schedules and grades. They are also able to complete their education with no debt.
During the Pandemic, many of our clients experienced disruption in their education. Pathways has been dedicated to providing our clients with items that they need during this time including laptops, printers and access to high-speed internet.
The goal of Pathways Education Initiative is to help young women complete their education without debt while healing from past trauma and abuse. While our clients are focused on their education, Pathways to Independence assists them in achieving social-emotional wellness through counseling, therapy and social support.
Upon successful completion of Pathways Education Initiative, 80% of our clients graduate college with a 3.5 GPA or higher. They are empowered to improve their own sustainability and self-sufficiency. Clients are further engaged through alumni participation and set positive examples for future young women in our program.

Testimonials

Marie was the fourth in a family of ten children in a family with with a mentally and physically abusive father. She was homeschooled until the fourth grade. Her father didn't allow his children to play with other children. Marie had the responsibility of caring for each infant born to her parents as soon as her mother returned to work.

After her parents divorced, the children were placed in foster care where it was discovered that they were often left home alone to care for each other and that she and her sister had been molested.

She began abusing drugs and alcohol and at the age of 14.
Marie decided it was time to turn her life around. She quit drinking and getting high 6 years ago and applied to Pathways because she desired an education and career, but had no means to pay for college.

She recently graduated from college with a business degree and is currently working as a project manager.