Faces of Inclusion April 2022
The first quarter of 2022 is over, and we are rapidly approaching our first major event of the year, our Annual Celebration on April 28th, 2022, held at the PAL club 5 pm-9 pm. This event is an evening unlike any other, set aside to celebrate the people that make Pathfinder Services special. It will be a night of great food, drink, and celebration for not only our exceptional employees but for the very people we support. This year’s event has undergone a metamorphosis and will set a new standard for an exciting and fun award celebration, and we hope you can join us. This first quarter has also been busy developing two new service offerings for Pathfinder services. Our team is hard at work developing a new Shared Living Program and a Respite House. Both programs will offer next-level steps in person-centered options for the people we support. Thanks to AWS Foundation and you, our generous supporters, we can make positive change and get these programs up and running.
In addition, our new Financial Opportunities Center has created a full-circle solution to individuals’ financial wellness. FOC starts in high school with our Pre-Ets program that transitions students with a disability into a career or academic focus. Then there are employment services, financial education, benefits counseling, income support, access to digital tools, specialized money accounts, etc. This array of programs is designed to offer support to a wide range of people. So, people of all abilities can nd a financial solution that works for them. Financial Opportunities Center’s overall goal is to create more opportunities for workforce development, credit repair, and access to digital technology.
This is just quarter one of 2022, and we are already doing so many exciting things to support people to live the life they choose. None of which would be possible without the generosity and big hearts of donors and supporters like you. We are so thankful and excited for what possibilities are in store for the rest of 2022 and look forward to having you with us on this journey.
Thank you,
Program Spotlight
DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
March was Disability Awareness Month, and we had some fantastic things planned to celebrate, educate, and honor the people we support and all people with a disability. On March 1st, we launched the month o with two of our area Mayors announcing formal proclamations making Disability Awareness Month social for their cities. We were honored to work with Plymouth and Huntington’s Mayors to get the month started strong. The week of March 7th-11th was Spirit week! We wore a different color each day to raise awareness for that day’s highlighted disability. We also partnered with the mayor of Huntington for even more events to raise awareness and inclusion. Mayor Richard Strick joined us at Kids Kampus for a Storytime, and he met with our artists at Creative Abilities for an art project. In addition, we worked with the city of Huntington and the Huntington City-Township Public Library to plan an inclusive Storytime and program. Every person matters and deserves inclusion in our communities, and raising awareness is how we strengthen that.
Dreams to Reality
We are so fortunate to have such amazing donors and supporters here at Pathfinder Services. In March, your generosity made a dream come true. Donna loves Martina McBride, and thanks to your support of the Dream Fund, Donna’s dream came true. On March 5th, 2022, Martina McBride had a concert at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, IN. When Donna’s support team discovered the show, they sprang into action to figure out how to make this come true for her. They submitted to the Dream Fund, and Donna was selected for her dream to come true. Donna had the night of her life watching her idol perform live. She was singing along, crying, and cheering a truly magical night for her. You made this happen, and Donna will never forget that.
5 Ways You Can Get Involved
GIVE
Your financial support makes what we do possible, by filling the gap between government support and the actual cost it takes to serve people with barriers.
VOLUNTEER
No matter your interests or passion, there are opportunities to make a difference in the lives of our friends.
DONATE
In-kind gifts of paint, pencils, craft paper, and more go a long way to inspire new artists and young learners.
PARTNER
Monthly giving provides reliable revenue and helps sustain our work.
VISIT
Attend an event, visit one of our sites, and bring your friends! This is the best way to see our mission up-close.
