Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc.

The Pathway Services Journey

Pathway Services began in 1964 by a small group of parents who were intent on filling a need, finding way to bring educational opportunities to their disabled children. Community churches stepped up to offer space for the administrative and school services and the programs and directors and staff were put in place. The journey had begun. The past six decades have been full of expansion and positive changes. Pathway provides a community day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities which promotes independence and delivers the benefits of self-sufficiency and achievement. The day program focuses on employment and engagement and meets the person each person where they are at in their journey. 

But Pathway didn't stop there. It reached beyond the day program to provide a complete lifestyle in residential homes with trained staff which has allowed these individuals to flourish with their own quality life experiences. The number of residential homes is currently at nine homes and proves that this offering has so much appeal for all involved, the residents and the staff. It has solidified Pathway's promise of making the success of individuals with developmental disabilities the number ONE priority. 

The reward is a full life - it happens every day. Pathway is a full journey of growth, development and service opportunities that support the success of connecting people, businesses, and activities. Just like you, they want to experience life at its fullest. 

Providing a Meaningful Life

If you could imagine merely existing in the world, as opposed to living a life, what would that look like to you? You would have everything necessary at your disposal to survive: food, shelter, water, and clothing. You would have people around you every day and your basic needs would be met by these people. Now imagine that you had $100 each month to spend on anything more than the basic necessities listed above. Would you want a bed to sleep on? Let’s say a basic bed would cost you $50. Would you like sheets and a pillow? That would be an additional $40. How about a bedspread? Let’s say you could find one for $25. Already you are $15 over budget in your first month. What would it look like if you had to cost this out in other areas of life to “fit in” and be a part of “regular” society? What if you wanted to enjoy the following? Furnish your bedroom, purchase hygiene items, purchase personal items and, what about the fun stuff? The expectation is that you literally have $1,200 for all of these items and experiences on a yearly basis for the rest of your life. Could you do it? 

This is what people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are “allowed” in order to have a “life.” That is not a life. It is an existence. Our state and federal government provide an existence. Pathway exists to bridge the gap between an existence and a meaningful life. This is where you can step in and make a difference for a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability. You can provide a life. You can send a group of folks to Graceland for a weekend, you can gift Kevin a trip to a Cardinals game, you can send Jeff to see his favorite country artist. Pathway has provided these experiences for the people we support in the past and you have the power to help us continue to provide these experiences into the future. Please consider joining our effort in providing a meaningful life to our underserved.