Pathways to Independence

02/19/2026

Thank you, Trivia Sponsors!

These amazing businesses, organizations, and community members stepped up to support our biggest fundraising night of the year. This is more sponsors than we have ever had, and we couldn't be more grateful!

Every dollar given in support of Pathways goes towards building essential skills, confidence, and community.

Whether you are supporting, attending, or spreading the word about our mission, we appreciate your involvement in the Pathways community.

Now let's get fundraisin'! See you Saturday!

02/06/2026

Pathways participants are already getting the party started! 💃 Shellye, Ellie, Alyssa, and Holt cut up the dance floor with line dancing to get moving during this chilly week. Are you practicing your boot-scootin boogie for February 21st?

Trivia Night is only 2 weeks away! Tables are running out fast, so hurry to stake your claim.

Click here to nab your tickets for this night of fun and fundraisin':
https://ptistl.ejoinme.org/MyPages/RegistrationPage/tabid/1258630/Default.aspx

01/29/2026

Our Trivia Night speaker is .... Rudi! Leave a comment with some kind words to encourage Rudi before his speech 💙

We’re honored to welcome Rudi, a Pathways to Independence participant since 2003, as our Trivia Night speaker.

Rudi will share how Pathways helped him find community, build confidence, and develop the skills to form lasting friendships, especially during major life transitions. His story reflects the power of self-advocacy and the impact Pathways can have over a lifetime.

Join us to hear Rudi’s journey and why Pathways continues to matter in his life today.

Get your table before it's gone: https://ptistl.ejoinme.org/MyPages/RegistrationPage/tabid/1258630/Default.aspx

Unable to make it? Message us for sponsorship opportunities!

01/23/2026

How are you staying warm this winter? ❄️ Pathways is getting cozy and creative with our community!

⛄Young adults made vision boards to envision a great 2026
🌲Volunteers led a crafty class on jewelry making
⛸️ partnered with us for a lively game night
🧤Young adults have begun hosting their own small groups - this time with legos!

Have a skill you'd like to share with our community? DM us to host your own cozy wintertime event!

01/21/2026

"Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This Monday, participants were invited to join an accessible virtual event to examine what social justice means to our community.

During this virtual event, participants got to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and talk about social justice for all people.

Dr. King's impact is felt through the activism of everyone who believes in inclusion. Thank you to our Program Specialist, DeVonshae, for leading this important discussion!

12/29/2025

Thank you, Safety National, for continuing our tradition of lovely holiday parties together!

This year participants played bingo and snowball co****le, crafted clay snowmen, and won prizes, all while celebrating this wonderful community.

Safety National is a leading specialty insurance and reinsurance provider. With a culture built on relationships and over 80 years of unique expertise and resources, Safety National specializes in providing long-term solutions to their clients.

Cheers to Finding Our People in 2025!

12/17/2025

Trivia Night is Saturday, February 21st! Mark your calendars for Pathways’ biggest fundraising event of the year coming this February.

Enjoy games, raffles, and trivia starting at 7 PM. The best decorated table will even win a prize!

Keep an eye out for your official invitation (coming in January) which will announce our theme. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Add to your Google Calendar: tinyurl.com/pathwaystrivia

Interested in volunteering? Have questions? Email grace@ptistl.org for more info!

Unable to make it but still want to make your impact? Donate today: tinyurl.com/pathwaysdonation

12/10/2025

Your Gift Changes Lives: Glenn Shares a Parent Perspective on Social Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Families searching for social opportunities for people with disabilities often rely on the insight of other parents. Glenn’s perspective on his son John’s first year with Pathways shows just how life-changing the right community can be. Since John first joined, Glenn says, “he hasn’t looked back!”

At 27, John lives with Asperger’s Syndrome and other mental health challenges. Before joining, Glenn recalls “It was the same thing every day. I could tell he seemed unhappy at times and was looking for activities to do.” That all changed when John became part of the Pathways community.

For Glenn, sharing a parent perspective on social opportunities for people with disabilities means highlighting how much confidence and connection John has gained. “He has more friends since joining Pathways than at any time I can remember! His confidence is as high as it’s ever been,” Glenn says. John agrees. “I’ve gotten more confident in myself. I’ve been more social and interacted more with people.”

Seeing his son thrive has meant everything to Glenn. “Pathways is a place for anyone and everyone. It’s the perfect place for people with disabilities to make friends.” Looking ahead, Glenn says they’re both excited for what’s next. “We’re looking forward to this upcoming year and many more down the line.”

If this story inspires you, please consider making a donation to support Pathways. Your gift helps build connections, grow programs, and foster independence for people with disabilities in the Greater St. Louis Area.

We are truly thankful for your participation in the Pathways community in 2025. Your gift today directly impacts our mission to help those with disabilities truly Find Their People in 2026. Thank you.

🔗 Click here to donate today: tinyurl.com/pathwaysdonation

12/03/2025

New Video 🎥 Three Minutes to Find Your People with Pathways Parents

At Pathways to Independence, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build friendship, confidence, and community through shared experiences. In this video, parents share the real impact Pathways has had on their families.

If this video moves you, please consider making a donation to Pathways. Your gift directly supports independence for so many people with disabilities in the Greater St. Louis area.

Donate: https://www.tinyurl.com/pathwaysdonation/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6QWJ_S5NJws

Thank you for helping our community Find Their People 🧡

Three Minutes to Find Your People | Pathways Parents Share Their StoriesAt Pathways to Independence, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ...

12/01/2025

This holiday, we are especially thankful for the support of our new community partner, St. Louis Children’s Service Fund (CSF). We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this integrated network of partners who share a commitment to providing quality services and programs to the children and families of St. Louis County.

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund has awarded Pathways to Independence a funding amount of $149,014 to support mental and behavioral health services for children and families in St. Louis County. The funding will be used to support Pathways’ growing Young Adult Program.

“With 129 letters of intent submitted to CSF totaling over $17 million in requests, we feel honored to be among the 24 organizations chosen,” says Jodi Woessner, Executive Director of Pathways to Independence. “These dollars will directly support our young adults as they navigate life transitions with community and confidence.”

🔗 Interested in learning more about CSF? Click the link below:
https://ptistl.org/2025/12/st-louis-childrens-service-fund-awards-pathways-to-independence-funding-for-grassroots-services/

Thank you to St. Louis County Children's Service Fund for all you do for the families of St. Louis, and thank you to our followers for being a part of this community. 🧡

11/19/2025

Holiday Helpers Here! 🎄Pathways was so excited to partner with United Way of Greater St. Louis to create hot coco kits for residents of Memory Care Home Solutions 🍫

☕ Participants filled over 35 reusable jars with coco mix and marshmallows, then personalized each one with a colorful holiday card!

❤️ Memory Care Home Solutions supports families of older adults with Alzheimer's and other cognitive deficits as they age in the comfort of their homes.

☃️ Thank you to United Way for the opportunity to bring warmth to our community!

🎁 If you have a volunteer opportunity for our participants, please DM us or email info@ptistl.org

11/12/2025

We love seeing the success of Pathways participants out in the community. We’re so proud of Wesley for thriving in his role at Oak Street Inn in Cottleville!

This video, created by our friends at BCI (Boone Center Inc.), highlights Wesley’s hard work, positive attitude, and the strong relationships he’s built at his job. It's also a testament to the amazing work done at BCI!

Watch here: https://vimeo.com/1135509451?fl=pl&fe=sh
We’re thrilled to see Wesley continuing to grow and shine!

After graduating from BCI’s General Housekeeping program at Embassy Suites, Wesley found the perfect fit at Oak Street Inn in Cottleville—a boutique…