Category: News

Partnership Highlight: Learning Self-Defense Skills with Legends Karate

There is something deeply empowering about coming together as a community to learn how to feel safer, stronger, and more confident in our daily lives. This fall, eleven participants spanning a diverse range of ages and backgrounds did just that during a self-defense workshop hosted in partnership with Legends Karate.

Dressed in comfortable clothes and tennis shoes, our group stepped onto the mat ready to move. Legends Karate created an engaging, hands-on session focused on practical safety techniques and physical confidence.

Hands-On Skills for Everyday Safety

Under the guidance of the Legends Karate team, participants stepped out of their comfort zones to practice fundamental self-defense skills:

  • Striking and Blocking: Learning proper body positioning and mechanics behind effective punches, kicks, and defensive blocks.
  • Asserting Boundaries: Practicing how to project a strong, protective presence and use body language to deter potential threats.
  • Community Safety: Building situational awareness and learning how to look out for one another in public spaces.

Trust, Movement, and Connection

While learning the physical moves provided a great active workout, the highlight of the event was the supportive atmosphere in the room. Trying new physical skills in front of others can feel intimidating, but our group cheered each other on through every drill. By encouraging one another, participants built a deeper trust in their own bodies and abilities. Over the course of the class, this group of individuals grew much closer through shared movement and mutual support.

Celebrating Together

After an active workshop on the mat, the group gathered at Cold Stone Creamery on Olive Blvd in Creve Coeur to cool off, relax, and celebrate their hard work with ice cream.

A huge thank you to Legends Karate for opening their doors, sharing their expertise, and creating such a welcoming environment for our community!

Partner With Us: Host a Community Workshop

Are you a local business owner or organization looking to make a positive impact in Creve Coeur and our surrounding community? We love collaborating with passionate partners like Legends Karate to offer unique, engaging experiences for our participants. Whether you host a movement class, creative workshop, or interactive educational session, partnering with us is a meaningful way to share your expertise and support community growth.

Interested in hosting or sponsoring a future event at your place of business? Contact our team today to explore how we can work together!

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Cooking Up Connection: YA Program Launches Six-Week Kitchen Skills Series

Pathways’ Young Adult Program focuses on building connection, confidence, and community for young neurodivergent people through accessible events. These events are listed in an exclusive calendar sent to participants to choose what activities they’d like to do. While this is a great system to give young adults the ability to try many new things and meet many new people, it can be tough to build deeper connections with someone if they only see you when you both happen to pick the same event.

Families recognized the challenge, and asked for opportunities for their loved ones to build stronger bonds by seeing the same people more consistently. We took this feedback to the drawing board, and voila! Our series program was born!

Here’s how it works: When a participant signs up for a series, they commit to multiple events spanning a few weeks that go deeper on one topic. Each event in the series supports the same group of participants. This allows them to know they will see the same people at each event, which eases nerves. That structure empowers them to build stronger bonds with others in the series by getting to know through repeated interactions over a shared interest.

One of our very first series programs starts today with our Kitchen Skills Series! Participants will spend six sessions getting to know each other while learning to measure, mix, and munch on delicious treats. Guides will not only teach kitchen skills, but will also facilitate introductions, suggest conversation questions, and empower participants to form strong friendships. We can’t wait to see what connections they cook up!

Over 30 one-time calendar events are still available each month for Pathways participants. This is simply one of many ways that Pathways turns feedback into creative opportunities for neurodivergent young adults to thrive.

Innovative programs like this are only possible through the generous support of donors. If you are inspired to support the Pathways mission of inclusion, please consider clicking below and making your impact with a gift today.

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Do you have a hobby or skill that you’d like to share? Pathways is actively looking to expand our horizons with new and interesting programming. Please click below to fill out our contact form and get involved.

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Pathways and WashU Best Buddies Bring Communities Together

Laughter fills the room when Washington University students link up with Pathways participants. This ongoing partnership with WashU Best Buddies bridges campus life with Pathways’ Young Adults group and adult participants, creating a vibrant space where real friendships take root.

These gatherings center around casual, hands-on events hosted by Pathways. Events feature kickball games, board game nights, tie dye workshops, and shared potluck dinners. Beyond group activities, members also form one-on-one buddy pairs that create deep individual relationships.

“The community that exists between members of Pathways already is so strong,” shared Josie, a sophomore leader with WashU Best Buddies. “So whenever WashU Best Buddies members are coming to Pathways, it really does feel like they’re all there to welcome us and include us. It really does make the experience that much better, just that they’re all so comfortable with each other and they all know each other so well. It just makes it a lot of fun.”

The collaboration offers benefits on both sides of the partnership. For university students, stepping outside the campus bubble provides hands-on experience in disability advocacy and meaningful community involvement. For Pathways participants, it offers meaningful opportunities to connect with the wider community and form close friendships with college peers they might never have crossed paths with otherwise.

“It teaches me a lot about interacting and connecting with people who are different than I am,” Josie reflected. “Maybe we don’t have anything in common, but there’s still ways to connect and form friendships. My favorite part is just seeing those friendships blossom.”

Josie highlighted the personal impact of her very first event at Pathways: “As a freshman last year, one of the first Best Buddies events I went to was a potluck dinner at Pathways. I really didn’t know anyone on the WashU end or on the Pathways end. But just being able to come together and share a meal, hang out, and do activities and games together, it really made me feel like I was finding a community.”

Partner With Pathways

The success of the WashU Best Buddies collaboration shows how local partnerships create lasting impact. Pathways actively seeks to build similar relationships with businesses, educational institutions, community groups, and civic organizations.

When asked why other organizations should consider building similar partnerships, Josie noted, “It really is just a great opportunity to connect with a group of people who are passionate about inclusion and passionate about building friendships.”

Local teams can plan interactive group events, host skill-building workshops, or establish unique volunteer opportunities. Partnering with Pathways gives your team a hands-on way to make a difference in the St. Louis area.

Is your business, school, or organization interested in hosting a volunteer event or establishing a partnership? Click below to fill out the Volunteer Contact form today and learn how we can collaborate!

Contact Us

Building Inclusive Community Partnerships in St. Charles County

St. Charles County recently witnessed an extraordinary demonstration of community spirit and shared purpose. Pathways had the privilege of participating in two remarkable local gatherings that brought our team face-to-face with advocates, families, direct support professionals, and educators. These connections reinforced just how much can be achieved when a community unites to uplift and include everyone.

Community Services Summit presented by Community Council

We are deeply grateful to everyone at the Community Council for hosting the Community Services Summit, which provided an invaluable setting to bridge gaps across the local nonprofit sector. Pathways Adult Program Manager, Christine, spent the day building bridges with organizations that offer vital resources for the individuals we serve. Conversation opened new doors for potential collaboration, ensuring that participants in our programs will have access to an even broader network of support in St. Charles County.

BCI Disability Transition Planning Conference presented by Boone Center, Inc.

Our sincere thanks also go to the team behind the Boone Center, Incorporated Disability Transition Planning Conference for creating a space that successfully paired disability service providers directly with the families who need them. Breakout sessions and parent panels delivered authenticity and practical insights that left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Our Community Engagement Coordinator, Grace, represented Pathways at both events, welcoming guests at the information booth and sharing the organization’s mission with attendees. Listening to personal stories and answering questions directly from community members brought that mission to life in a meaningful way.

Collaborating with the local neurodiverse population and the dedicated professionals who walk alongside them remains a profound privilege. The energy and optimism from these two gatherings will not stay confined to a single week. Pathways is already turning these encounters into partnerships that strengthen the safety net for all of St. Charles County. Together, the future of our community is more inclusive than ever.

Learn about Community Council
Learn about Boone Center, Inc
Learn about Pathways Services

Pathways Outcomes in Action

Behind every metric is a moment of courage and a life changed.

At Pathways, our mission goes beyond organizing events. We create meaningful opportunities for individuals to build independence, develop practical skills, and feel a true sense of belonging. As we reflect on our progress from July 2025 to July 2026, the data shows how these outcomes shape life across our community.

Community Reach

Over the past year, our community grew stronger and more connected through consistent engagement.

  • 253 Unique Participants took part in our programs.
  • 868 Hosted Events created reliable spaces for connection and learning.
  • 59 Participant-Led Activities gave participants direct opportunities to step into leadership roles and take charge of their own social lives.

Outcomes That Change Everyday Life

Success shows in what happens long after an event ends. Our participants and families shared clear progress across four key areas over the last twelve months.

1. Greater Independence

99% of participants reported an increased ability to navigate daily challenges, advocate for themselves, and make self-directed choices in their daily routines.

2. Deepened Belonging

A safe environment forms the foundation for growth. 99% of participants expressed a strong sense of belonging and connection within the Pathways community.

3. Practical Skill Improvement

Through tailored activities, 98% of participants achieved noticeable skill growth across social, functional, and recreational areas.

4. Real-World Application at Home

Growth extends past our doors. 97% of families reported seeing and using these new skills within their home life.

Building the Future Together

These outcomes prove that the right support creates lasting positive change in daily life. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to expanding opportunities that empower every individual to thrive on their own terms.

Get Involved

Whether you want to join a program, support ongoing initiatives, or partner with us, there is a place for you here.

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Partner with Us
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Join Us 10/17: Craftibility Trivia Night!

If you know Pathways, you know Craftibility. We are so excited to be bringing a team to their upcoming Trivia Night!

Craftibility has been a partner of Pathways for years, collaborating on events that bring out expression and conversation with Pathways participants. Groups have created their own animal portraits, usable tote bags, gifts, and even their own crafting paper!

This event will be a multi-round trivia game with many prizes available. The theme for the evening will be “Trivia Mix!” Funds for this event will go toward inclusion scholarships and programming.

The Details:
🗓️ When? Saturday, October 17th
doors open at 5:30pm and trivia will run 6-9pm
📍 Where? St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church – 808 Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141
🎟️ How much? tables of 10 are $250 or $25 per person

We are so thankful to Craftibility for creating the opportunity for moments of connection and community-building. We encourage you to register your team and play along with us for a great cause!

Click the button below to learn more on the Craftibility website and register your team

Register for Craftibility Trivia

Volunteer Highlight: Building Community Through Art with Jen Wohlner

At Pathways to Independence, our mission is to support the development of social and interpersonal skills that empower neurodiverse individuals to build confidence, gain independence, and achieve social success. Our community-based outings offer a supportive environment where participants can step out of their comfort zones and practice essential social skills.

In our latest volunteer video highlight, we caught up with Jen Wohlner, a dedicated Pathways volunteer and talented artist, as she welcomed a group of participants to a guided tour of her art exhibition (titled “BINGO!”) at The Sheldon.

Exploring Art and Learning New Skills

Group excursions like gallery tours provide a natural space for skill-building and self-expression. During the visit, participants engaged in group discussions about art, their personal lives, and what inspires them. Inspired by Wohlner’s unique techniques, participants got hands-on and created their own original artwork, learning new creative skills along the way.

Fostering Confidence and Long-Term Connections

Beyond exploring the creative process, the event highlights the power of ongoing volunteerism. By coming together regularly in the community, participants build natural social networks and develop the courage to express their own ideas.

“We’ve formed connections now over these years. Folks that keep coming back, get more confident, or bring their own ideas to what we’re doing, and that’s been really fun!”

— Jen Wohlner, Volunteer

Through authentic relationships and shared community experiences, our volunteers and participants continue to pave the way toward greater independence and lifelong social connection.

Watch the short video highlight above to see the tour in action!

Video Transcript

  • Jen Wohlner: Hi, I’m Jen. I’m a volunteer with Pathways to Independence, and today a group of participants is touring my art show at the Sheldon. It feels really good to have the participants support my art practice, see how the sausage is made behind the art, see how other people read the artwork. Plus, we’re going to have like cookies and snacks, so that’s fun.
  • Omer: …like tall, skinny buildings.
  • Jen Wohlner: They’re meant to like, blow… so the wind… so they’re not so stiff.
  • Lyla: This reminds me of, cause I want to go to a BINGO party or something, and who I’d invite…
  • Dave: Very green!
  • Ben: I think this is really kind of neat… it’s like part of a map, with like a shoe logo…
  • Katie: I just really get “maps!”
  • Jen Wohlner: …you know, we just formed connections now over these years. Folks that just keep coming back, get more confident, or bring their own ideas to what we’re doing, and that’s been like really fun.
  • Group: Thank you, Jen!

If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering, please reach out to our Community Engagement Coordinator, Grace Murray, by emailing grace@ptistl.org or clicking the link below.

Volunteer sign-up

To learn more about Jen Wohlner’s art practice or support her work, click the link below.

Visit Jen Wohlner’s Website

To learn more about current exhibits at The Sheldon, click the link below.

Learn About Art at the Sheldon

Join Us 9/15: Community Services Summit with Pathways to Independence

Empower yourself to support your community!

Do you want to enhance your skills in supporting the people you work with? Empower yourself through the Community Services Summit graciously hosted by Community Council. At this event, you’ll learn, connect, and build practical skills to solve issues in your neighborhood.

The Details:

  • When: Tuesday, September 15th from 8AM-3PM
  • Where: Calvary Church, 3998 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, St Peters, MO 63376
  • How much: $50 for Community Council members, $75 for non-members

This is a gathering of teachers, therapists, nonprofit organizations (like Pathways), health experts, and many more professionals all looking to make a positive impact in St. Charles County and beyond.

What’s involved:

  • Sessions with experts where you can gain deeper understanding on urgent issues facing families in your neighborhood
  • Networking opportunities with leaders from mental health sectors, human services organizations, social service agencies, school districts, and more.
  • Resource tables featuring exhibitors from a variety of sectors, all looking to connect you with vital services and form beneficial partnerships

The Community Services Summit is here to equip you with the tools and acumen you need to be an asset to your industry and your neighbors.

Register for the Summit
Learn More about Community Council

Celebrating Sophie’s Big Win with Third Degree Glass Factory

Back at the end of April, our community showed up in a big way during our 36-hour campaign. One family in particular went above and beyond: Sophie, alongside her parents Kristy and Jerry, connected with the most donors of the entire campaign!

As a special thank you, we offered Sophie the chance to choose her own event designed around her interests. Her choice was a private glass-blowing demonstration at Third Degree Glass Factory!

Just a few days ago, that dream became a reality. Sophie and her friends gathered around the shop to watch molten glass transform into stunning art. A huge thank you to Kristy, Jerry, and all of Sophie’s support people for their incredible help during the campaign, and to our dedicated Program Team for handling all the logistics to make Sophie’s vision come to life. We also extend a warm thank you to Third Degree Glass Factory for hosting us and giving us a fascinating peek into their world.

Moments like this show what happens when participants are motivated to have a hands-on impact on their own programming. When people like Sophie are empowered to fundraise, raise awareness, and choose new experiences, it creates unique opportunities for their friends to expand their horizons together.

Want to help create more tailored, artful experiences like this? Consider supporting our programs today to help our participants dream big and explore the world around them.

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A Smart Way to Support Pathways: Understanding RMDs and Charitable Giving

As valued supporters, you help make a lasting impact through your generosity and commitment to our mission. Today, we wanted to share some helpful information regarding smart giving strategies that can benefit both you and the cause you care about.

If you are 70½ or older, or approaching the age where Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) apply to your tax-deferred retirement accounts (like traditional IRAs or 401(k)s), you may have unique opportunities to optimize your charitable giving.

Through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), individuals who are required to take annual distributions can transfer funds directly from an IRA to a qualified nonprofit like Pathways. Here is why many donors consider this approach:

  • Satisfy Your RMD: Direct transfers can count toward your required distribution for the year. By directing funds annually from your IRA straight to a tax-exempt charity, you fulfill your legal distribution requirement without forcing extra cash into your checking account. This keeps you fully compliant with IRS rules while ensuring your retirement assets actively advance the causes you care about most.
  • Be Tax Efficient: Because the funds go directly to charity, the gift is generally excluded from your adjusted gross income, which may help reduce your taxable income regardless of whether you itemize deductions. Keeping this distribution off your adjusted gross income can also prevent you from triggering higher Medicare Part B and D premiums or pushing your income into a higher tax bracket. It essentially functions as an above-the-line deduction, delivering maximum tax savings even if you claim the standard deduction.
  • Maximize Your Impact: Your gift goes directly to support Pathways’ vital programs and community initiatives. Because the funds bypass your income, 100% of your gift goes straight to the community without a single dollar lost to income taxes. This direct transfer turns potential tax liabilities into powerful resources for those who rely on our services.

Even if RMDs are still a few years off for you, this information might be useful for parents, family members, or friends who are currently navigating their retirement planning and looking for impactful ways to support a mission close to their heart.

If you would like to learn more about how a gift through your RMD or QCD works, or if you’d like to discuss giving options, please feel free to reach out to liz@ptistl.org or consult with your financial and/or tax advisor.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for keeping Pathways in your heart and future plans.