FALL 2015
PathNotes Newsletter
Pathways Opens New Inspiration Point
The staff and board at Pathways to Independence (PTI) are always looking
for ways to improve our supports for those who have needs that match our
mission. PTI has been expanding over the past few years by adding more fulltime staff and consultants to support an ever-increasing number of individuals
seeking our programming. Programming has also expanded through our Social
College and Social Focus projects.
Now, in 2015, PTI has taken another step toward meeting the goals of PTI
participants through our brand new Inspiration Point, a project of PTI. This
space, located directly across the hall from our current location, increases our
footprint and gives PTI prime visibility to anyone entering the 200 South Hanley
building in Clayton. Inspiration Point will fill existing service gaps and enhance
our response to the needs of existing and potential participants while also
supporting the greater community. In this space, PTI will offer:
• Vocational Social Preparedness services – Services that complement the
job development process performed by other agencies in town. Services will
be either individual or small group and provide training in specific skill sets
identified by the participant and their family that may be a current roadblock
to their getting a job or advancing in their current position. Supports will also
include specific gaps in residential skills as needed such as budgeting, countertop cooking, transportation planning, etc.
• Cognitive Relaxation programming will introduce adaptive coping strategies
in response to the social anxiety often experienced by PTI participants.
Programming will include training in techniques such as visualization, progressive
relaxation and deep breathing as well as basic yoga and other mindfulness
meditation methods. Programming will be inclusive and offered to the public as
well as PTI participants. (continued on page 3)
Inspiration
What or who inspires
you? What keeps
you going during the
challenges and the
tough times? For
the staff, board and
volunteers at Pathways
to Independence, it is
our participants and their
families who inspire us
everyday to provide better
programs and services, to
overcome challenges and
to meet problems head on
with creative solutions.
Pathnotes Newsletter 2015
www.ptistl.org
PathNotes Newsletter
PATHWAYS TO
INDEPENDENCE
Our Mission:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Bradford Werner
Steve Dedrickson
John Finkenkeller
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Our Vision:
Board Members
Adults with learning disabilities will enjoy
a fullness of life through:
• Living in a community which is
accepting and offers choice,
• Attaining self-realization,
independent living, health and
security,
• Engaging in healthy relationships
and using good judgment, and
• Contributing to the community with
a sense of purpose, passion and
responsibility.
Rachel Balbach
Diana Boursiaw, Ph.D.
Renau Bozarth
Randy Gornbein
Laure Hullverson
Linda Johnson
Bill Keller
Helen Nelling
Christopher Roberts
Stephen Stanfill
Board Resource
Committee
Programs are designed to
assist participants to:
Selma Balk
Rick Boalbey
J. Scott Clark
Debbie Emmelkamp
George Fonyo
Deborah Gordon
Arthur Hoffman
Curtis Ittner, Jr.
R. Troy Kendrick
Linda Nissenbaum
Joan Oliver
Tere Owens
Jo Werner BOARD BUSINESS
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.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fiscal Year 2016 Board Meetings will
be held six times throughout the year.
Please inquire to the office at 314-8630202 x2 for more information.
Increase self-esteem
Develop a robust personal network
of friends and natural supports
Initiate self-advocacy
Enhance soft skills necessary for
vocational and employment success
Gain self-confidence
Enhance socialization skills and
social understanding
Integrate into and access their
community
Pathways Staff
Craig Strohbeck
Rose Piel
Jessie Steinberg
Jamie Larson
Executive Director
[email protected]
Program Manager
[email protected]
Program Manager
[email protected]
Project Monitor
[email protected]
Kristen Azotea
Program Specialist
Ray Bozesky
Program Specialist
Dorian Frenchie
Program Specialist
Beth Gartin
Program Specialist
Abbie Lincoln
Program Specialist
Endya Goliday
Work-Study Student
Brenna Whitehurst Work-Study Student
Office Address
Pathways to Independence
200 South Hanley, Ste. 103
Clayton, MO 63105
314-863-0202 Phone
314-863-7865 Fax
[email protected]
PathNotes Newsletter
Blake Applies the Skills Learned through PTI in Multiple Environments
Since 2001, when Blake became a PTI participant, he has been working on his conversation skills, a major goal
when he first joined. Before joining PTI, Blake had trouble listening to others, sensing when people were finished
and interrupting when others were talking. This made him hesitant to talk to peers, start conversations and tended
to get in the way of making friends and integrating in his place of employment.
In the last 14 years, with the help of PTI staff, Blake has learned the nuances of
conversation and is able to properly detect when others are finished speaking.
Blake says, “I listen first before I talk, and then wait. I don’t interrupt people
when they are talking. If I do, I apologize for it. I feel like I’m able to connect
with people better.”
Grasping the art of conversation has made Blake more confident when meeting
new people and making friends. This has led to several friendships and a
girlfriend. Blake’s work with PTI has helped him with his relationships with his
family members and becoming more independent. “I’ve grown closer to my
family. Today, I’m taking my nephew to the movies,” Blake says.
Blake(right) at the 2015 Pitch for Developmental
Blake has been a child care attendant at the West County YMCA for 15 years.
disAbilities
His relationship with his nieces and nephews inspired Blake to choose a
career working with children. “My nieces and nephews gave me the confidence to apply for a job working with
kids at the Y,” Blake says. Blake has also utilized the conversation skills he picked up with PTI in his place of
employment, “I like talking to my co-workers at the Y,” he says.
As far as the future, Blake has lots of plans and lots to look forward to. “I can’t wait to live on my own and I hope to
get married someday.” To new participants, Blake says: “All the staff members are excellent and they will help you
in any way, shape or form. You’ll be making lots of great friends!”
Inspiration Point
(continued from page 1)
• Conference Room/
Training Space for
outside businesses and
organizations. Inspiration
Point will be a place for
the community to use to
be inspired or just have a
meeting. PTI will offer this
with a suggested donation
schedule, providing an
alternate source of income
while also increasing
awareness of our services.
Like us on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ptistl.org
Visit us online at:
WWW.PTISTL.ORG
Search “Pathways to Independence
Impact” on Youtube.com or visit our
webstite at www.ptistl.org to watch
videos on PTI Programing
Thank you for Making the Hollywood Dash a Success!
Thank you!
Laure Hullverson, a parent of a PTI participant and a board member states, “The Inspiration Point is a welcoming
venue that provides needed space for different group training sessions and also a space for social interaction. It
has the appeal of having been created especially for the members of the Pathways family...it’s exciting, like getting
your very own room for the first time.”
PTI would like to specifically thank Safety National Corporation for their donation of computers and equipment to
enhance this space and services provided.
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s
cloud.” -Maya Angelou
PathNotes Newsletter
Partially Funded by:
Contributions
and Tributes
March 2015-August 2015
Our deepest gratitude goes to all those who continue to support Pathways to Independence. Please note:
every attempt was taken to ensure accuracy in this list and any error or omission is unintentional. Please
contact the office if you locate any error.
Leadership Gift
Thomas and Debbie Hilton
Safety National
Millennial Society
Howard and Catherine Curtis
Tom and Sharon Kircher
Dr. and Mrs. John Marino
Sustainer
Behavior Intervention Services
Diana Bourisaw
John and Marti Finkenkeller
Chris and Jen Haggerty
Sponsor
Vincent and Sarah Capone
Deb Carlin
John and Linda Johnson
Cynthia Medart
Marcus and Joan Sessel
Stinson, Leonard, Street LLP
In Honor of the Hollywood Dash
David and Annie Rowan
In Honor of Leigh Hullverson
Everett and Stephanie Hullverson
In Honor of Linda Johnson
Christina Carson
In Honor of Kenny Kalman’s Graduation
Sheryl Kalman
In Honor of Kim Skrainka and John
Hutson
Rachel Balbach
In Memory of Ruth Balk
Blair and Selma Balk
In Memory of Jo Ann Bayer
Helen Preuss
Douglas and Tammy Riser
Friend
J. Scott Clark
Brooke Foster
Cynthia Garnholz and William F. Eastman
Don and Dot Sanford
In Memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Bromley
Dennis Hefferon
Contributor
Robert and Mary Berry
Anne Brodhage
Susan Flemming
Andrew Surber
In Memory of Linda Sanford
Rosemaire Piel
Kathy Price
Micheal and Karen Scheve
Matching Gifts
Amazon Smiles
Greater St. Louis Community Foundation
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Foundations and Grants
Cornelson Charitable Foundation
The Mildred, Herbert and Julian Simon Foundation
Pettus Foundation
In Honor of Melissa Haverman
Joe and Janet Lanius
In Honor of Debby Gordon
Stephanie Schlamb
Shaun Hautly
Everett and Stephanie Hullverson
John and Linda Johnson
Sheryl Kalman
A.J. Kirk
Jamie Larson
Cynthia Medart
Gary and Helen Nelling
Carol Marie Noellsch
Rosemarie Piel
Kathy Price
Don and Dot Sanford
Jessie Steinberg
Craig and Jenifer Strohbeck
Dawn Weber
Pitch for Developmental Disabilities
Supporters
Ameren Missouri
Behavior Intervention Services
Favazza’s Restaurant
Metro Transit
Miken Technologies
Neighbors Community Credit Union
Laureen Wilder Designs
In Memory of Jane Winters Meister
Hallie Goldfader
In Memory of John E. Schroeder
Keith Dodel
In Memory of Robert Scott
Craig and Jenifer Strohbeck
In Memory of John (Jack) Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Bredenkoetter
Give STL Day Supporters
Chuck and Cathy Andert
Christina Carson
J. Scott Clark
Keith Dodel
Renee Ehrlich
John and Marti Finkenkeller
Susan Gislason
Mary Lou Green
Chris and Jen Haggerty
“The things we love tell us what we are” - Thomas Aquinas
PathNotes Newsletter
Memories of Landon
PTI Participant Landon Lochlan passed away suddenly on July
26, 2015. We would like to pay tribute to his life and remember
how he made an impact beyond his personal accomplishments.
Landon came to PTI with a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome,
a mild form of autism that significantly impacts social
interaction. What many did not know about Landon is that
he identified as transgender. This information is shared with
permission from his family.
Last fall, PTI had a
transgender guest
attend a staff meeting
to help the staff better
understand Landon and
the proper way to address
those in the transgender
community. It was a
tremendous learning
experience for each staff
member.
PTI recently held a
program for participants
specifically to help
them better understand
transgender identity.
It served a role of
education, social
acceptance and to
help Landon feel more
comfortable knowing he
was accepted at PTI however he identified.
While PTI may have been there to help Landon learn how to
better interact with others and be a part of a group, ultimately, it
was Landon who helped us understand a community we knew
very little about. Landon opened our eyes. We are proud of
Landon for being true to himself and having the courage to be
Landon. His lessons will live in each of us throughout our lives.
In the end, his Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis was just another
challenge he accepted and worked diligently to learn how to
manage. He won! He did it! Much respect to him for standing
up and never backing down. We are honored to have known
him. R.I.P.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with
one step” -Lao Zu
New Board Members
Laure Hullverson
Laure is the parent of
a PTI participant and
has served on the
fundraising committee
over the past year,
chairing the Toast
to Independence
fundraiser in 2014 and
2015. While owning
an interior design and
landscaping business, she also has served
on the boards of Gateway Greening, Missouri
Botanical Garden (Past President) and Spirit
of St. Louis Women’s Fund. Laure’s positive
attitude, creativity and enthusiasm will be
valuable assets to the PTI board.
Randy Gornbein
Randy recently moved
to St. Louis from Denver
and was looking for
an organization which
shares his passion.
After volunteering at
a few events with our
participants, Randy
became a board member.
Randy has experience in many professional
fields including working with adults with
disabilities. “Since leaving Colorado and the
many organizations I was deeply involved in, I
have been looking for the right opportunity to
continue my ‘quest’ in making positive impacts
in people’s lives...Pathways to Independence
seems to be a perfect opportunity to continue
my quest,” Randy says.
Bill Keller
Bill is also the parent of
a PTI participant and has
served on a sub-committee
in the past. Bill says,
“These experiences have
left me with an appreciation
for the role PTI fills in the
community and an interest in
helping further the Pathways
to Independence mission.” While maintaining a
successful career in the marketing, laboratory
and dental industries, he has volunteered
his time at many other social service and
community organizations.
200 South Hanley, Suite 103
Clayton, MO 63105