New program teaches community what Pathway Services Unlimited is all about
By Eric A Thomas
Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc. has a new community education program they have started this year. It is called Pathway Pop-ins, and you are invited to take part.
“They are designed to last one hour,” stated Ryan Dowd, executive director of Pathway. “This is a great opportunity for the public to learn all about our programs.” Anyone is invited to attend these scheduled tours. They will start with a meal at noon, prepared by the people Pathway serves. Then there will be a tour of the facility so people can see first-hand what they do at The Plaza in their Community Day Services (CDS) program.
The CDS program, once known as Day Program Services, serves approximately 74 people. The vast majority of those clients also live at Pathway, but they do serve some clients from other agencies plus some who live at home.
When this program was Day Program Services, the focus was mainly on vocational training in more of a classroom setting. The service was part of a sheltered workshop model where folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities would train in various vocational work and attend more of a school type of settings.
Not so long ago, that focus was switched to work opportunities and paid work for people supported. Now, in Community Day Services, they focus on opportunities outside of Pathway. Pathway provides some micro-businesses for their clients to earn some money. One example is Bow-Wow Bits dog biscuits that are made by Pathway clients, as well as the paper shredding, car washing, cooking, gardening and some janitorial work that is done.
“One of the greatest things about the work we do is that no one day is the same,” Dowd said. “These pop-ins will vary from day to day however, our model will be the same each session.”
Each pop-in will begin with lunch. The menu will be simple as many of the clients are still learning about cooking. They will offer a sandwich, chips, pasta salad, cookie and a drink. Each of the Pathway directors will be present to speak on the work that is done in each department. After lunch, attendees will go to the back of the building where the clients work.
The tour will showcase the work opportunities that exist within the program as well as a variety of training opportunities available to Pathway clients.
“Our guests will have an opportunity to see firsthand what the folks are engaged in, along with the staff, and ask any questions that they might have at that time,” continued Dowd. “When the tour is over each guest will receive a care package compliments of Pathway.”
The overall purpose of these pop-ins is for the community to come in and learn about Pathway as well as to consider ways in which they might be able to support the programs. “That could be something as simple as buying a bag of dog biscuits or having our folks fill any vacancies they might currently have at their workplace” Dowd concluded.
“Regardless, we will be making friends with each pop-in, and that is what this program is all about.”
Pathway School was established in 1964 by a group of parents looking for services for their loved ones with disabilities. There were not many options at that time for people with disabilities. Once those children grew to be adults, they needed a new program and that led to Pathway Services. The program serves approximately 74 individuals and has 155 employees. They are located at 1405 W. Morton Ave. in Jacksonville.
If you are interested in scheduling a pop-in for you or your group, please call Dowd at 217-479-2304 and book a visit.
