PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Numerous studies show that social skills are critical to a person's overall quality of life--including academic success, self-esteem, rewarding relationships, vocational/career accomplishments and greater independence. When men and women join PTI, they typically are isolated and many experience depression; they often lack the skills to interact appropriately in social situations; they lack meaningful relationships outside their families. Our clients' cognitive abilities are more developed than individuals with more severe disabilities; however, their social skills (such as "reading between the lines" or understanding body language) tend to be less advanced than a casual observer might perceive. In fact, their social skill deficits pose a significant handicap, often resulting in failure to establish relationships, retain a job or achieve personal independence. PTI provides a road map and skills for them to navigate successfully in our society.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Social Growth
Social Growth allows for generalization of skills learned in small group or one-one support. Emphasis is placed on increasing positive social experiences, expanding social circles and elevation of self-confidence through participation in leisure activities.
Where we work
Awards
Best Worthy Cause 2010
St. Louis Riverfront Times
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of hours of training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Percent of participants with families indicating skill application at home and/or community
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, People with learning disabilities
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Measured for the first time as stated in 2015-2016 year.
Percent of participants routinely practicing skills and/or using compensatory strategies related to individual goals.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Measured for the first time as stated in 2015-2016 year.
Percent of overall participant satisfaction with PTI program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Percent of overall family satisfaction with PTI program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Percent retention of participants from previous fiscal year
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Social Growth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Pathways to Independence (PTI) provides social interaction training and community integration support that helps adults with learning and developmental disabilities lead more fulfilled lives. Individuals with complex learning disabilities and certain developmental disabilities may find it challenging to achieve independence in their lives, which is often due to difficulties with certain aspects of social functioning. Through PTI, participants develop social relationship skills and learn to apply them for successful employment, community involvement, and expansion of their social network.
The overarching goals of the PTI program are to support clients in:
• Developing or maintaining relationships and natural supports that facilitate integration into the community and an improved quality of life.
• Acquiring or maintaining social and behavioral skills needed for active participation in their community.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our entire program was developed using the leisure model of service delivery, one that is supported and practiced through the field of therapeutic recreation, a certified profession requiring a four-year degree. The program grew out of the need for participants to be able to relate to others and to build friendships beyond their school-age years. Our programming has been refined and modified to match current research data while still supporting the needs of the individuals receiving services.
Each participant has an individualized support plan (ISP) identifying personal goals. Participants have the option to participate in any or all of the three services offered by PTI that support the learning, refinement and implementation of skills that help each person to progress toward the outcomes identified. Those services include Social College, Social Focus and Social Growth as described in our program description.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
All staff members are required to have degrees, continuing education and/or real-life experience in supporting the programmatic needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. C PTI’s part-time program specialists come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have a focus on developing the skills of our clients, especially in the areas of social skills training and community access.
PTI partners with three local governmental boards that provide funding to assist residents of their respective counties. Further, PTI staff serves on local coalitions where we partner with other agencies providing supports to individuals with developmental disabilities related to employment and residential services, which require effective social skills to have successful experiences in these environments. PTI currently has operating reserves of over two year's .
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Pathways to Independence has been working towards our long term vision of helping participants contribute to the community with purpose, passion, and responsibility since 1987. Some of PTI's participants have been involved with the organization since the beginning, while there also continues to be a steady stream of new participants entering the program. PTI gives participants greater access to their community, as well as building a community of peers within the program that they can call their own. As participants improve their self-esteem, form friendships and lasting bonds, and improve their social interaction skills, they are also working towards greater community participation and contribution.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE
Board of directorsas of 11/16/2022
Mike Lewis
Rubin Brown
Term: 2024 - 2022
Mike Lewis
Rubin Brown
Bill Klemm
Community Volunteer
Steph Milner
Thompson Coburn
Keith Jacobs
World Wide Technology
Holly Swift
Jewish Community Center
Cary Schneithorst Reed
Community Volunteer
Josh Menacher
Evergreen
Jules Smiley
CITI
Tanya Dunlap
Perio Protect
Jason Looney
VM Ware
Chris Beppler
Community Volunteer
Michele Woodley
Community Volunteer
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: