Specializing in social interaction training and leisure education for adults with learning and developmental disabilities since 1987.
Pathways to Independence (PTI) supports a group of adults in and around St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri with complex learning disabilities and associated disorders (including Asperger’s Syndrome) seeking services that provide opportunities for group social development. They, in many cases, have never fit in socially and are now forming the first meaningful relationships and friendships of their lives.
PTI’s program teaches interpersonal and community involvement skills, applying them through community-based events that help the participants feel more comfortable in their environment. Over time, participants experience success in their personal and work relationships and become actively engaged in their community.
2013 Strategic Plan:
2013 Strategic Plan – PTI
Program Descriptions derived from 2013 Strategic Plan – PTI
Pathways to Independence was recognized in 2010 by the St. Louis Riverfront Times as the Best Worthy Cause – see the following link: http://www.riverfronttimes.com/bestof/2010/award/best-worthy-cause-1101958/
An interesting blog authored by a PTI parent – “Focus on Independence”
Find the PTI Mission, Vision, Outcomes and Skill Areas addressed below the following story:
Paulines’s success has continued from the story outlined in the Spring 2013 issue of PathNotes:
“A seasoned Pathways to Independence (PTI) participant, Pauline Pizzo demonstrates the true value of hard work, dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and achieving one’s goals. When Pauline joined PTI, she had high hopes of meeting new people, developing friendships, finding a full-time job, and living independently. Today, Pauline is proud to share that these dreams, which seemed so distant 13 years ago, have now become her reality…”
Programs are designed to support participants in:
- Developing a robust personal network of friends and natural supports
- Enhancing socialization skills and social understanding
- Initiating self-advocacy
- Integrating into and accessing their community
- Enhancing soft skills necessary for vocational and employment success
- Gaining self-confidence
- Increasing self-esteem
OUR MISSION:
PTI enriches the lives of adults with complex learning disabilities and associated disorders through the development of the social interaction and self-advocacy skills necessary to achieve each individual’s goals for independence, community engagement and meaningful relationships.
Our Vision
Adults with complex learning disabilities and associated disorders will enjoy a fullness of life through:
- Participating in a community which is accepting and offers choices
- Attaining self-realization, independent living, health habits and security
- Engaging in relationships utilizing good judgments
- Contributing to the community with a sense of purpose, passion and responsibility
Operating Principle:
Through PTI programming, participants develop skills and apply those skills in areas that translate to greater independence and success in achieving their vocational, personal, social, community and volunteer pursuits. In turn, participants become more comfortable in personal and community-based relationships and involvement. Families experience greater peace of mind and autonomy as our participants experience more fulfilled lives and greater self-reliance. The community is enhanced through the participants’ active involvement, economic contributions and improved diversity as they experience greater independence and social success.
Skills Areas:
Click HERE to review skill areas addressed that relate to these goals and improve independence related to social interaction, employment soft skills and community access and engagement.
