Category: News

Come Meet Us 9/18: Pathways at the BCI Transition Planning Conference

Are you looking for resources for a neurodiverse person in transition? Look no further! Our lovely collaborators at Boone Center, Inc. will host a Transition Planning Conference on Friday, September 18th. This is an informative and exciting event where neurodiverse young people can empower themselves with skills and connect with resources. This is also a great event for organizations like Pathways to connect with the community. Pathways will attend as an exhibitor, sharing our mission of social independence and inclusion.

Here are the details:

  • What day: Friday, September 18th
  • What time: 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Where: Ameristar Casino and Resort – 1 Ameristar Boulevard, Saint Charles, MO 63301

What to Expect:

  • Insightful sessions on education, employment, and independent living
  • Networking opportunities with industry professionals, service providers, and advocates
  • Tools and strategies for navigating post-secondary pathways and career options
  • Inspiration from success stories and lived experiences of individuals with disabilities

Interested in registering or learning more? Click here!

July Recap: Board Games, Bumper Boats, and Building Community

It may be hot out there 🌡️ but hanging out with Pathways is always cool! Check out how Pathways is building a cool community this summer:

🍻 Battling over board games and beer at @twoplumbers
🌻 Soaking up the sun(flowers) at @eckerts
😂 Giggling and going with the flow during improv with Reggie
🎳 Finding friendships at Wow! Fenton
🛟 Bumper boating at Swing Around Fun Town
⭐ Stargazing and socializing at Broemmelsiek Park
🏎️ Smiling (and speeding!) through the Go-Kart track
🎨 Crafting with memory care patients alongside @craftibility
💌 Celebrating Chris with a farewell brunch before his big move

Do you have a skill or hobby you love? Our participants would love to learn from you 💛 Think activities like crochet, coding, yoga, and more! Email info@ptistl.org to learn more.

Taking the Lead: Inside Taylor’s Social Focus Zoo Outing

"I felt really good to invite people and catching up on what they've been doing for the past week and making some connections." - Taylor

What happens when program participants take the wheel in planning their own social lives? It brings genuine joy and empowers everyone involved.

Our latest video showcases Taylor leading a sunny trip to the Saint Louis Zoo as her Social Focus small group, demonstrating how participant-led activities build true independence and lasting confidence for neurodiverse adults.

Watch and share on your favorite social platform:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Youtube

Peer Leadership in Action

At Pathways to Independence, social growth is all about autonomy. Traditional programs schedule activities for participants, but our Social Focus Small Groups hand the planning directly to the individuals themselves, from picking the venue to sending out the invites.

As Taylor shared after organizing the trip, “I felt really good to invite people and catching up on what they’ve been doing for the past week and making some connections.” When peers take the lead, it transforms the entire dynamic, helping participants feel included and empowered.

Growth Through Philanthropy

Investing in the neurodiverse community is about building an active culture of philanthropy where donor support serves as seed capital for human potential.

Your generosity provides the guidance and behind-the-scenes support that allows adults with disabilities to:

  • Develop Executive Skills: Practice real-world planning, organization, and scheduling.
  • Build Authentic Friendships: Connect with peers and create natural, lasting bonds.
  • Gain Confidence: Step up into leadership roles and take charge of their own social lives.

Ready to empower more leaders like Taylor? Donate today and help us expand participant-led opportunities across our community!

Donate

What You Need to Know About Amendments 4 and 5

With Election Day coming up next Tuesday, August 4, Pathways encourages our staff, participants, partners, and community members across Missouri to make a plan to vote.

Structural changes to state law and public funding directly influence health services, human services, and non-profit support across Missouri. Below is an overview of both proposals to help you understand what will be on your ballot next week.

Amendment 4: Process for Citizen-Initiated Amendments
What the Proposal Does

Under current Missouri law, a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment passes if it receives a simple majority of votes statewide. Amendment 4 would change this requirement. A citizen-led constitutional measure would need a statewide majority vote and a separate majority vote in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.

Impact on the Disability Community and Community Advocacy

For the disability community, statewide ballot measures serve as a key mechanism to address accessibility, health services, and community living standards. Amendment 4 alters the approval process for future citizen-led constitutional amendments. If approved, organizing constitutional campaigns would require significant campaign structures across all eight congressional districts simultaneously.

Amendment 5: Individual State Income Tax / Sales and Use Tax
What the Proposal Does

Amendment 5 would amend the Missouri Constitution to require the legislature to gradually eliminate the state individual income tax as state revenue grows over time. In fiscal year 2027, the income tax is estimated to generate $7.8 billion, accounting for roughly 57% of Missouri’s flexible general revenue fund. General revenue serves as the main source of state funding for public education and social services.

To replace lost income tax revenue, Amendment 5 grants lawmakers authority to adjust Missouri’s sales and use tax framework. This authority allows lawmakers to raise the statewide sales tax rate. It also allows them to expand sales taxes to goods and services that are currently untaxed, such as home repairs, vehicle maintenance, or personal care services.

Direct Impact on Non-Profits, Donors, and Our Services

Beyond broader state budget considerations, Amendment 5 carries specific operational implications for safety-net providers like Pathways:

  • Funding for essential community services: State general revenue directly supports public funding streams, including Medicaid reimbursements, behavioral health grants, and disability support programs. Changes to the state’s primary funding sources require ongoing monitoring to ensure essential community services remain fully funded.

  • Impact on state charitable tax credits: Many Missouri non-profits rely on donor incentive programs to fund daily operations. For example, eligible donors to Pathways can currently receive a Missouri Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) state tax credit worth 50% of their contribution. Because NAP credits directly offset state income tax liability and cannot be sold or transferred, eliminating the state income tax would remove the primary financial mechanism that incentivizes these charitable donations.
Take Action: Vote Early or Vote Next Tuesday!

1. Check your registration and polling location: Confirm your polling location and view your sample ballot before next Tuesday using the Missouri Secretary of State Voter Registration Lookup.

2. Know what to bring: A valid government-issued photo ID such as a Missouri driver’s license, a non-driver ID, or a U.S. passport.

3. Decide how you want to vote:

  • Vote early (In-Person No-Excuse Absentee Voting is open now!): You do not have to wait until Tuesday. Any registered Missouri voter can vote early in person right now through Monday, August 3 with no excuse required.

Crucial Voting Schedule:

  • Now through Monday, August 3: In-Person No-Excuse Absentee (Early) Voting Open

  • Next Tuesday, August 4: Election Day (Polls open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM)

Your Vote Matters

Decisions made at the ballot box shape our state’s future. Our goal is to share clear information about how state policy decisions interact with community services, public funding, and local non-profits. We encourage every eligible voter to consider the details and vote according to their personal values next Tuesday.

 

Download voter guide

Check Out Our New Little Free Library!

You asked, and we listened! After receiving a request from our participant, Samantha, to start a Little Free Library, we couldn’t resist. We are thrilled to announce that our very own neighborhood book exchange is up and ready for readers.

A Labor of Love

This project came together thanks to the heart and creativity of our community.

Our incredible Young Adult Program Manager, Mary Beth, generously donated her own hand-painted bookshelf with cheerful flowery designs to kick things off. Now we have a cozy, bright spot that you can’t miss!

In just a few short days, the shelf has already started filling up with a fantastic variety of reads, including:

  • Page-turning fiction
  • Helpful resource workbooks
  • Delicious cookbooks

What is a Little Free Library & How Does It Work?

If you’ve never used one before, the concept is simple and built on trust in your community. A Little Free Library is a “take a book, leave a book” free book exchange with no fees and no time limit.

How to use it:

  1. Take a Book: See something that catches your eye? Take it home and enjoy it! You can return it when you’re done, or pass it along to a friend.
  2. Leave a Book: Have a great read sitting on your nightstand that you’ve already finished? Leave it on the shelf for the next person to discover.

Help Us Keep the Pages Turning!

While our sunflower shelf already has a great starting selection, a Little Free Library thrives on variety and fresh stories.

We’d love a few book donations!

We aren’t looking for huge boxes or entire attic clear-outs, just 1 to 3 gently-used books that you personally loved and think someone else in our community would enjoy.

Whether it’s a favorite novel, a great young adult story, an inspiring workbook, or a kid-friendly picture book, feel free to drop it off directly on the shelf next time you visit us!

Stop by today, browse the sunflower shelf and pick out your next great read!

Join Our Culture of Giving

Projects like this sunflower library, and the dozens of programs we host every month, are built on a simple truth: inclusive communities are nurtured by people who give back.

While community gifts like book donations stock our shelves, it’s financial support from neighbors like you that keeps our doors open and our programs accessible. When you give to our organization, you become an active partner in creating a St. Louis where people of all abilities can connect, learn, and belong.

Your Philanthropy Directly Funds:

  • Dedicated Program Staff: Investing in the compassionate mentors who guide and empower our participants in every activity.
  • Accessible Resources: Covering the behind-the-scenes costs, sensory supplies, and transport that make community events stress-free.

Belonging is something we build together. If you believe in fostering a generous, welcoming St. Louis where everyone has a place at the table (and at the bookshelf!), please consider making a gift to support our work today.

Donate

Quarterly Newsletter: Summer Socials and Strong Connections 

Welcome to the Pathways Quarterly Newsletter. We’ve built deeper bonds through inclusive theater outings, helped young adults design their own hangouts, and empowered waitlist participants to connect! Read on for more.

Spotlights

Summer Magic at The Muny

This summer, our groups headed to Forest Park thanks to tickets gifted by the Community Access Program! By planning ahead and practicing theater etiquette, we enjoyed hits like Newsies close to the stage. We love building connections through these outings. Read the full story.

Plan Your Own YA Hangout!

Our Young Adults are taking the lead with Social Focus Small Groups! From thrilling trips to Fright Fest to cozy Lego nights, our participants are building planning skills while designing their own custom hangouts. Read the full story to learn how your young adult can plan their own outing!

No Waiting on this Waitlist

We had to expand our waitlist, but we know connection shouldn’t have to wait. “It feels empowering,” says Kristina, who built confidence and found a friend at our monthly office events before even officially enrolling. Watch her quick video (under a minute!) to hear her waitlist story.

Upcoming Events

9/18/26 BCI Transition Conference

Join us at the BCI Transition Conference at Ameristar St. Charles! Connect with local resources and plan for employment while supporting your young adult’s future. Click here to learn more

9/26/26 Annual Family Picnic

Meet Pathways at the Jewish Community Center Pavilion, 11-1:30! Bring your family for games, free food, and great conversation. New and alumni families are encouraged to join the fun! Mark your calendar!

Ways to Get Involved

Shop Our New Summer Merchandise!

Find brand-new golf polos, blue tees, UV rash guards, coozies, and beach towels that give back. Every purchase empowers people with disabilities to grow their skills and community. Shop the collection

Get On Board to Make a Difference

Have fun and make an impact as a board member, or join a committee for a smaller time commitment. We are looking for experts in finance or marketing. Your input matters! Click here to learn more

Try new things, make friends and belong. By embedding key social and interpersonal skill-building into our activities, we empower individuals with complex cognitive disabilities to successfully navigate both personal and professional challenges. Thank you for reading our summer updates!

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Partner Spotlight: Experiencing the Magic of The Muny

There is a unique magic to Forest Park just as the sun begins to set. For the adults and young adults in our program, summer in St. Louis is not complete without our favorite tradition: gathering under the stars for an evening of live musical theatre at The Muny.

As the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, The Muny represents the very best of our city’s culture. Thanks to incredible community partnerships, this world-class experience remains wonderfully accessible to our participants.

The Power of the Community Access Program

We are incredibly grateful to be partners with The Muny’s Community Access Program. Through their immense generosity, our group is gifted tickets that allow us to get close to the stage and experience the full production up close, entirely without a financial barrier.

For our program, these gifted tickets represent dignity and inclusion. By removing the paywall, this program ensures our adults and young adults can sit in the heart of the audience, fully immersed in the community, sharing the same space and excitement as everyone else.

Navigating the Night with Thoughtful Preparation

While the tickets are generously provided for us, our staff and participants work together ahead of time to ensure every trip is a comfortable, successful experience. Outdoor theatre in St. Louis summers can be intense, so we prepare with plenty of forethought.

Before we set out, we help our participants plan for the physical aspects of the evening, like navigating the walking and standing in Forest Park, and packing personal cooling fans and binoculars.

We also use these outings as a wonderful opportunity to build real-world social skills. Together, we:

  • Practice Theatre Etiquette: We talk about when to lean in and listen to the music, and how to quietly share the space with thousands of other theatergoers.
  • Spark Conversation: We brainstorm fun, engaging questions about the plays, the musicals, and Forest Park to ask each other while we wait for the show to start, turning the evening into a true social connector.

Unforgettable Showstoppers

We have built so many incredible memories together over the recent seasons. Our group has cheered, laughed, and sang along to an amazing lineup of shows:

  • Frozen & Shrek: Bringing out our inner child with magical worlds and big-hearted humor.
  • Bring It On & Hairspray: Filling the night with high-energy dance numbers and powerful messages of inclusion.
  • Jersey Boys & Newsies: Wowing us with spectacular harmonies, high-flying choreography, and stories of standing together.

Grateful for Forest Park

We are incredibly lucky to live in a city that champions accessible public culture. From the Zoo and the Art Museum to the nightly spectacles at The Muny, Forest Park is a gift. It allows our program to blend fresh air, friendship, and rich local arts into experiences our participants look forward to all year long.

Thank you, St. Louis, and thank you to The Muny’s Community Access Program for keeping the gates open, the stage bright, and the arts open to us all.

Support Our Mission: Help Us Keep These Outings Possible

While The Muny generously gifts us the tickets, it is our program that provides the vital support, staffing, and preparation that gets our participants there safely and confidently.

To keep these outings accessible to every adult and young adult in our program, we rely on the generosity of supporters like you. Your donation goes directly to funding the dedicated care and resources that make community inclusion a reality.

Your gift directly supports:

  • Our Dedicated Staff: Funding the trained mentors who guide participants through social cues, theater etiquette, and park navigation.
  • Essential Outing Gear: Providing personal cooling fans, binoculars, and sensory tools to keep everyone comfortable in the summer heat.
  • Barrier-Free Access: Ensuring we can offer these enriching, community-building experiences to our participants at no cost to them.

If you believe in a St. Louis where people of all abilities are fully included in our city’s best traditions, please consider making a donation to our organization today.

Support Pathways Programs

Small Groups, Big Connections: How Young Adults are Leading Their Own Social Adventures

For many young adults, finding your niche and scheduling hangouts can sometimes feel overwhelming. Traditional social structures built around high school classrooms and organized sports often shift or fade as we enter adulthood, leading to what many families call the social “cliff of service”.

At Pathways to Independence, we believe that neurodiverse young adults shouldn’t just look at a pre-made calendar to find connection. They should have the power to design it themselves and learn essential skills along the way.

That is exactly why our Social Focus program is taking off! This participant-led initiative puts the steering wheel directly in the hands of young adults, empowering them to coordinate, plan, and host small group events tailored to exactly what they love doing while building stronger bonds with their peers.

What is a Social Focus Small Group?

A small group event is created and planned entirely by a participant, involving an activity or location of their own choosing. The host decides when and where they would like to go. They then invite 3 to 5 fellow participants they would like to get to know better in a close-knit, low-pressure setting.

The best part? While it is entirely participant-driven, a Pathways staff member is present in the planning and hosting of the event to provide light support behind the scenes and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Life Skills Disguised as Fun: Real Stories of Success

On the surface, a small group hangout looks like a simple evening of friends having fun. Underneath, it is a masterclass in vital life skills. When a young adult hosts a small group, they naturally practice vital social goals: initiating conversations, budgeting spending money, planning transportation, respecting peer autonomy, and managing a backup plan if logistics change.

We are already seeing our community bring incredible, customized ideas to life:

  • Drew’s Lego Night: Drew wanted a relaxed environment centered around a shared hobby. He planned a dedicated Lego-building night, bringing young adults together over bricks and blueprints. The evening was a massive hit, providing the perfect, low-stimulation canvas for natural, comfortable conversations.
  • Ava’s Fright Fest Excursion: Looking for high-energy excitement, Ava stepped out of her comfort zone to plan a thrilling trip to Fright Fest at Six Flags. By managing the logistics of a busy theme park with a small group of friends, Ava got to take ownership of an unforgettable adventure while surrounded by a safe, supportive network.

Whether it’s a quiet evening of building blocks or a roller-coaster-filled weekend, these customized events prove that when young adults are given the freedom to lead, their self-esteem and independence soar.

Are You a Current Pathways Participant?

Taking the leap from attendee to host is made simple with the support of our dedicated team. If you are a young adult participant with a great location in mind, a specific activity you want to try, or a few friends you are eager to invite, your next steps are just a message away:

  1. Connect with Jen: Reach out to Jen Messmer, our small group coordinator.
  2. Map Out the Details: Jen will talk you through the entire checklist, including helping you navigate when your event could occur, how to write invitation scripts for other participants, and details to keep in mind (like managing budgets or planning transportation).
  3. Party with a Purpose: Lock in your date, welcome your guests, and enjoy an event where you make the rules.

Don’t wait to start building your own community on your own terms. For more information, resources, or to kickstart your planning process, email or text Jen Messmer today.

Not a Participant Yet? Join Our Waitlist Community!

Because these small groups are designed exclusively for registered participants to practice independence within an existing, supportive peer network, you must be enrolled in Pathways to Independence programs to host or attend.

If you or a neurodiverse young adult in your life (ages 16+) are looking for your people and want to build the skills needed to design your own social life, we would love to meet you!

To learn more about our three core programs (Social Growth, Social College, and Social Focus) and to inquire about our current intake process or waitlist status, please fill out our contact form or reach out to our main admissions desk at info@ptistl.org / 314-836-0202. Let’s bridge the gap together so more people can find their people.

Summer Merch: Pathways’ New Premium Tanks, Athletic Polos & Coozies are Live

Summer is officially here, and we’re not about to let you spend it in last season’s gear.

Our first-ever Summer Drop is officially live! We took our core brand, dialed up the performance details, and added the exact pieces you’ve been asking for. Here is a look at what just hit the vault.

The New Staples

We took our community favorites and gave them a seasonal refresh. If you know, you know.

  • The Blue Hues: Our signature tees just landed in highly requested, custom blue colorways with bright yellow details. Same premium fit, brand new summer feel.
  • The Vault Coozies: You asked, so we delivered! Keep your drinks ice-cold and your aesthetic on point in standard and slim sizes.

Engineered for the Heat: The Athlete Lineup

For those who spend their summers on the green, the trail, or the beach, we designed a sub-collection of high-performance gear tailored specifically for outdoor athletes and golfers.

  • Premium Polos & Visors: Lightweight, moisture-wicking, and tailored perfectly to keep you looking sharp from the 1st tee to the clubhouse.
  • Performance Tank Tops: Cut for maximum mobility and breathability when the midday heat peaks.
  • Rope Cap Hats: A vintage-inspired nod to classic sport culture, built with modern, breathable materials.

Sun & Surf Essentials

Whether you’re catching some waves or floating on the river, we’ve got your coverage and carry sorted.

  • UV-Protective Rash Guards: Sleek, long-sleeve defense against the elements without the bulk. High-level sun protection, zero distractions.
  • The Summer Beach Towel: Oversized, ultra-plush, and featuring our bold “Find Your People” design.
  • Drawstring Bags: Durable and designed to grab and go with just the essentials.

Built for the Season and the Mission

Every stitch and colorway in this release was selected to handle the heat, the water, and the mileage of a packed summer calendar… but looking good is only half the story.

Each piece in this collection directly fuels our mission to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities grow their skills, confidence, and community. Your gear is an investment in our shared vision, turning everyday style into real-world impact.

The shop is open, and the first wave is shipping now! Grab your gear to represent the community, or fuel our impact directly below.

Shop the Summer Collection

Support Our Work

If your closet is already full but you still want to back the movement, consider making a direct contribution to the cause. 100% of your support goes straight toward making a tangible impact in the lives of people with disabilities.

Donate

Partnership Spotlight: Singles Karaoke Night with Safe Circle Coalition

Looking to make a meaningful connection, meet other local singles with disabilities, and have a fantastic night out? Our community partners at the Safe Circle Coalition (SCC) are hosting an exciting Singles Karaoke Night right here in the Pathways to Independence program space!


This special event is designed specifically for single individuals with disabilities who are looking to date, mingle, and share their favorite music in a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment. Whether you are ready to take the center stage mic for a solo, team up for a duet, or just enjoy the music and cheer on your peers, it is going to be an unforgettable evening of fun and connection.

Event Details:

• When: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: Pathways to Independence (11457 Olde Cabin Rd., Ste 235, St. Louis, MO 63141)
• Cost: Free to attend!

Please Note: This event is independently organized, hosted, and staffed entirely by the Safe Circle Coalition.

Because this is a partner-led initiative and not an official Pathways program, attendance will not count toward your Pathways event total!

Space is limited and song requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your spot and submit your favorite tracks early by clicking the registration button below!

Click Here to Sign Up

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