Our success stories
Read the stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by the services and opportunities we offer.
5 Minutes to Find Your People with KP and Kelly
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 […]
Jessica: Train to Trust Yourself
At Pathways to Independence, we’re proud to partner with organizations that help our participants thrive. MERS Goodwill of St. Charles County recently shared a Mission Moment highlighting Jessica, a Pathways participant whose success has been supported by both MERS Goodwill and the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (DDRB). Her story is a powerful example of well-rounded […]
Ava: Develop to Discover
At Pathways to Independence, our mission is to empower neurodiverse individuals in St. Charles County and across the metro area to develop social skills, build connections, and embrace their potential. Ava, one of our incredible participants, has experienced a transformative journey since joining our community. In this interview, she shares her story of personal growth […]
Liam: Face Fear to Find Friends
Pathways to Independence is proud to share an inspiring moment from one of our recent events, where Liam, a young adult participant in our program, spoke about his journey. In the summer of 2020, Pathways launched a new program for young adults aged 16 to 21, designed to help individuals with disabilities enhance their social […]
Allaina: Socialize to Succeed
Allaina has been with us for several years, participating in our programs as soon as she was eligible. Before Allaina began attending our events, her dad volunteered to make sure we offered the type of programs he knew his daughter needed to succeed. Since starting here, Allaina has thrived and dramatically improved her social skills and connections in the community.
Brian: Connect to Confidence
Brian moved to St. Louis a few years ago after living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Although Brian and his parents had family in the St. Louis area, he didn’t want to leave his friends and his job of 22 years at Kroger. A month after moving to St. Louis, Brian secured a job with Schnucks. He […]
Leigh: Read to Relate
Leigh has a full plate these days – going to work, volunteering in her community and hanging out with family and friends. She has been employed for 12 years and was recently promoted to Team Lead, supervising six team members. Leigh remembers a time when she didn’t feel as confident as she does today. She often didn’t know how to express her emotions and had a hard time dealing with feelings of frustration. Leigh’s mom learned about us through a friend, and after a “little convincing,” Leigh tried out her first event. By the time she went to her third activity, she knew she had found the right place. That was in 2009, and now Leigh is leading her own activities.
Melanie: Engage to Experience
Melanie admits she was very nervous when she attended her first event a couple of years ago. She wasn’t comfortable trying new things or interacting with new people. Looking back, she remembers how our staff made her feel at ease during dinner and the Bunco event that followed. By attending more events and with the assistance of our staff, Melanie has developed new friendships and has become more comfortable in group situations. Before working with us, Melanie would avoid venturing out on her own. She will now even go places by herself.
Michael: Plan to Prosper
Michael joined us in 2015 and since then has achieved many of the goals he set for himself. When he graduated from high school, he was ready to try new things and get out in the community. Michael says, “During high school I was very shy. I felt kind of insecure about myself. I had some acquaintances and a couple of friends. When high school ended, I lost contact with the few people I was friends with; I mostly kept to myself.”
Jim: Fun to Friendship
Jim says life was a little dull before he joined us in 2009 at the age of 40. “The organization has opened some new doors for me, socially,” Jim said. He has made lasting friendships, which he feels would not have been possible without his involvement. Jim says, “Some of the best times of my life have been at Pathways events.”