Join Pathways to Independence for our Cowboys for Community Trivia Night happening Saturday, February 21st at T.A.S.K.!
When? Saturday, February 21st, 2026 Where? 980 Horan Dr, Fenton, MO 63026 What time? Doors open at 6 PM, and trivia kicks off at 7 PM How much for tickets? $240 per table of 8, or $30 per person
Round up your posse, play mini-games, and take a shot at winning some mighty fine raffle prizes! Plus, don’t forget to show off your frontier flair with your table decorations. The best wild west themed table wins a prize!
Glenn Shares a Parent Perspective on Social Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Families searching for social opportunities for people with disabilities often rely on the insight of other parents. Glenn’s perspective on his son John’s first year with Pathways shows just how life-changing the right community can be. Since John first joined, Glenn says, “he hasn’t looked back!”
At 27, John lives with Asperger’s Syndrome and other mental health challenges. Before joining, Glenn recalls “It was the same thing every day. I could tell he seemed unhappy at times and was looking for activities to do.” That all changed when John became part of the Pathways community.
For Glenn, sharing a parent perspective on social opportunities for people with disabilities means highlighting how much confidence and connection John has gained. “He has more friends since joining Pathways than at any time I can remember! His confidence is as high as it’s ever been,” Glenn says. John agrees. “I’ve gotten more confident in myself. I’ve been more social and interacted more with people.”
Seeing his son thrive has meant everything to Glenn. “Pathways is a place for anyone and everyone. It’s the perfect place for people with disabilities to make friends.” Looking ahead, Glenn says they’re both excited for what’s next. “We’re looking forward to this upcoming year and many more down the line.”
If this story inspires you, please consider making a donation to support Pathways. Your gift helps build connections, grow programs, and foster independence for people with disabilities in the Greater St. Louis Area.
We are truly thankful for your participation in the Pathways community in 2025. Your gift today directly impacts our mission to help those with disabilities truly Find Their People in 2026. Thank you.
At Pathways to Independence, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build friendship, confidence, and community through shared experiences. In this video, parents share the real impact Pathways has had on their families.
If this video moves you, please consider making a donation to Pathways. Your gift directly supports independence for so many people with disabilities in the Greater St. Louis area.
We are so grateful for your involvement in the Pathways community in 2025. Your donation today directly supports our mission to help those with disabilities truly Find Their People in 2026. Thank you.
St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) has awarded Pathways to Independence a funding amount of $149,014 to support mental and behavioral health services for children and families in St. Louis County. The funding will be used to support Pathways’ mission of providing social skills training and community building to young adults with disabilities.
“With 129 letters of intent submitted to CSF totaling over $17 million in requests, we feel honored to be among the 24 organizations chosen,” says Jodi Woessner, Executive Director of Pathways to Independence. “These dollars will directly support our young adults as they navigate life transitions with community and confidence.”
As a funded partner of CSF, Pathways to Independence joins an integrated network of partners who share a commitment to providing quality services and programs to the children and families of St. Louis County. CSF invests in local nonprofits and governmental entities that provide mental and behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and prevention services for kids and families in St. Louis County through a voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax.
For more information on CSF, their partner organizations, or how to get involved in their funding process, visit stlcsf.org or their interactive “Find a Service” map tool.
For an immediate mental or behavioral health need or crisis, please call 988 or Behavioral Health Response’s Youth Connection Helpline at 314-819-8802 or visit bhrstl.org.
As 2025 draws to a close, many individuals and families begin thinking about their charitable goals for the coming year. Along with those plans come a few important updates to federal tax law that could affect how charitable contributions are deducted starting in 2026.
While everyone’s situation is unique, being aware of these upcoming changes can help you make more informed decisions when you speak with your tax or financial advisor.
New Rules for Itemizers
Taxpayers who itemize deductions will see a few adjustments beginning in 2026:
Deduction Floor: Starting in 2026, itemizers will need to give more than 0.5% of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to receive a tax benefit for charitable donations.
Top Bracket Benefit: The top tax rate will decrease from 37% to 35%, which means the deduction value for high-income earners will be slightly lower.
General takeaway: Individuals who typically itemize their deductions may want to review their charitable giving strategy with a financial professional to understand how these shifts could affect their overall tax picture.
New Rules for Non-Itemizers
For taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions, there’s some good news on the horizon:
Beginning in 2026, individuals will be able to deduct cash gifts up to $1,000, or $2,000 for couples filing jointly, even if they take the standard deduction.
This change creates a new opportunity for more taxpayers to receive a small tax benefit for charitable giving, though the details may vary depending on each person’s circumstances.
What This Means for Donors
These changes may influence when or how some people choose to give, but it’s important to remember that every financial situation is different. Consulting a qualified tax advisor can help determine the best approach for your individual needs.
As always, the most meaningful part of charitable giving is the impact it creates in your community, no matter the tax landscape.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Individuals should consult a licensed tax professional or financial advisor before making any giving or investment decisions.
Interested in understanding our donation system? Click below.
Are you ready to make a tangible difference in the community? Pathways to Independence is seeking passionate, dedicated leaders to join our Board of Directors. This is more than a volunteer role; it’s a chance to shape the strategic future of an organization committed to empowering individuals with complex cognitive disabilities to make connections that build independent, fulfilling lives.
The Commitment
Serving on our board is an active and rewarding partnership. Your commitment will include:
Strategic Oversight: Attend 5 Board Meetings annually to discuss policy, strategy, and organizational direction.
Focused Work: Join one of our working groups, attending approximately 5 Committee Meetings each year (Executive, Finance, Governance, Development, or Program).
Be Our Ambassador: Serve as a key organizational voice. Connect with potential partners, educate the public about our cause, and inspire others to join our movement.
Meaningful Giving: Demonstrate your belief in our mission by making a personal financial contribution at a meaningful amount for you.
Fundraising Support: Actively support our fundraising efforts, participating in and promoting key events like our annual Trivia Night and our 36-Hour Campaign.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, a passion for our mission, and a willingness to leverage their expertise for the greater good.
When KP graduated high school, she and her mom Kelly faced a challenge familiar to many families: the friendships and routines that once provided connection had ended. They began searching for a place where KP could continue to grow, have fun, and make meaningful relationships. In this five-minute interview, KP and Kelly share how Pathways to Independence became the perfect fit, showing why it’s where you truly Find Your People.
A Perfect Fit From the Start
Kelly recalls, “After doing some research online, we found Pathways. Seeing the reviews gave us a lot of hope… and after the very first meeting, we knew it was a perfect fit.”
For KP, who has been with Pathways for about two years, joining meant “trying new experiences and meeting new people.” Her favorite memories include the Halloween party, Craftibilities nights, and even hosting her own small event with Pathways friends – painting sculptures and enjoying ice cream together.
Growth, Adventure, and Lasting Friendships
Kelly has watched KP blossom since joining Pathways. Dropping her off at events now means hearing her name shouted with excitement. “Something’s clicking, something’s working in this group,” Kelly says. “It goes way beyond the hours of just the events themselves.”
She describes how KP has become more adventurous – signing up for pickleball, reaching out to friends outside events, and warmly welcoming newcomers. “Your vibe attracts your tribe,” Kelly smiles. “The individuals at Pathways have an amazing vibe about them… Money can’t even buy that.”
KP agrees: “The staff is really nice. And then you get to make some really nice friends. You feel like you’re part of a great community.”
Watch the Full Conversation
This article shares only part of KP and Kelly’s experience. Watch the full video to hear their voices, laughter, and pride as they talk about what Pathways means to them.
KP and Kelly’s story proves that Pathways isn’t just about attending events. It’s about building real friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging for people with disabilities. Their five-minute conversation is a powerful reminder that Pathways is where you can truly find your people.
Read the Full Transcript
Grace (Interviewer): What is your name? KP: Uh, Kaitlyn and I’m 20. Grace: And what’s your name? Kelly: Kelly. Grace: Kelly. Thank you guys so much for being here. So, KP, how long have you been at Pathways? KP: I believe about two years. Grace: Awesome. And what did you want to gain from joining Pathways? KP: Try new experiences and meet new… meet new people. Kelly: Right before we joined, Kaitlyn was graduating high school and we had found success with some um inclusive clubs, and then after high school a harsh reality that people move on, things change and we needed that social component back and after doing some research online found Pathways, and seeing the reviews gave us a lot of hope that this might be a good fit for her. And after the very first meeting, we knew it was a perfect fit. Grace: So KP, what are some of your favorite kinds of pathways events? KP: Well, well, one of them is… has to be the one where I went to the Halloween party and the other I believe it was the uh Oh, the.. the one time I went to with the, with all the craftsmanships like I went to. Kelly: Craftibilities KP: Yes, they were really fun to go to. One where I like had my own event with some close friends that are in PTI. Kelly: What did you do? KP: We uh painted sculptures and I got ice cream later. Well, I’m more outgoing and more adventurous. Grace: Tell me a little bit more about that. What does it feel like? KP: Well, it feels really nice and I’m really comfortable with it. Kelly: Watching her um participate in it. Um, I’ve seen a lot of growth and um, a lot of interaction between her and others. Just even dropping her off, people yell out her name and she’s excited to be there. So, something’s clicking, something’s working in this group and I’m happy to see it. Kaitlyn is doing a really good job of taking the initiative of reaching out to friends and um, pushing friendships even outside of the organization. So, um, it’s amazing to build the friendships within the organization, but then to see that blossom outside during our just day-to-day hours has really been cool because it’s, it goes way beyond um the hours of just the events themselves. And watching connections grow has been exciting to see. We used to be kind of home bodies, I would say, before um we didn’t really branch out or were quite as adventurous as we, as we are now. And I attribute that very much to Pathways and to Kaitlyn’s growth in the program. Um because I’ve seen her do things like sign up for the pickle ball event. Um she goes into those full steam ahead and has a blast doing it. And we’re just really proud of her for being adventurous. Yeah. You gain so much more in in this group than just um you know giving your loved one an opportunity to to to do a fun thing. You’re building relationships, making friendships. you’re um expanding yourself in a way. Um now she’s the one when a newcomer comes into the group that welcomes them friendly and warmly and makes them feel like they have a fresh new friend as soon as they step out of their car. And that’s what you can gain from this is um real true friendships. And that can be hard for anyone, any person. I think that can be tough. Um, but especially for this population, I think that it’s even harder. So, your vibe attracts your tribe. I think that that’s the saying. And um, a lot of the individuals that I’ve seen in Pathways really have an amazing vibe about them and are excited to see each other and excited to be around each other. And that’s… Money can’t even buy that. KP: The staff is really nice. And then you get to make some really nice friends… you feel like uh like you’re a part of a great community. Well, I say it would be great to join that you can have new experiences, meet new people, and well, the more the merrier.
Pathways to Independence is celebrating a milestone with the opening of our very first merch store. For the first time, our community can show support through a collection that was created to inspire connection and belonging.
Every design reflects the spirit of our Find Your People campaign. The store features apparel and accessories with a clean and modern look including shirts and hoodies for everyday wear, hats, bags, magnets, mugs, and more! Each item carries the message that finding community matters and that everyone deserves to feel included.
When you shop the collection, you are doing more than purchasing clothing or accessories. You are helping Pathways continue our mission to empower neurodiverse adults to build friendships and meaningful social connections. Each order makes an impact and helps us share the message that no one has to walk through life alone.
We invite you to celebrate this moment with us. Explore the store, choose your favorite pieces, and join us in spreading the message of community: https://pathwaystoindependence.printful.me/
Your generosity has the power to do more than change lives. It can also bring meaningful tax savings back to you! Through Missouri’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, Pathways to Independence is able to offer NAP Tax Credits for qualifying gifts of $1,000 or more. These credits return 50% of your donation in the form of reduced Missouri business tax liability.
For example, a $1,000 contribution could provide $500 in credits, making your gift more affordable while ensuring people with disabilities have the support they need to thrive.
Eligibility is broad, making it possible for many Missourians to participate. Credits are available to corporations, small business owners, financial institutions, farm operators, sole proprietors, insurance companies, and individuals with income from partnerships, royalties, or rental properties.
When you give through NAP, your gift is even more impactful. Your contribution provides opportunities for people with disabilities to make friends, strengthen their life skills, and feel a true sense of belonging. Every donation fuels our mission to create a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has the chance to connect and contribute.
We are deeply grateful for each donor who chooses to invest in this important work. Your support makes it possible for participants to take a larger part in community life. Together, we can continue to create a place where people of all abilities feel valued and included.
Learn if your gift could be eligible by clicking below!
The Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform has announced a series of public hearings across the state to gather input from citizens, families, and organizations. One of these hearings will take place on Wednesday, August 20 at 5:30 PM at the Center of Clayton (50 Gay Ave, Clayton, MO).
These hearings are designed to collect feedback on how Missouri’s property tax system can be improved to promote fairness, transparency, and sustainability. For families in the Greater St. Louis Region, the issue is especially important: some local disability services are funded through disabilities resource boards, which receive their revenue from a dedicated property tax levy.
Any changes to how property taxes are assessed or collected could affect this funding and thus impact the availability of services that thousands of local residents rely on, including respite care, therapies, job coaching, residential supports, and community-based programs.
Becky Herschbach, Executive Director of the Productive Living Board, noted in a recent newsletter:
“We are closely monitoring proposed policy and budget changes. Our goal is to protect the quality and continuity of services for people with developmental disabilities.”
That’s why it’s critical for families, self-advocates, and service providers to take part in this conversation. By attending a hearing and sharing your story, you can help lawmakers understand the real-life impact of property tax reform on people with developmental disabilities and their families.
St. Louis Hearing Details: Wednesday, August 20 5:30 PM Center of Clayton (50 Gay Ave, Clayton, MO)
