While there are many struggling in our community and in this economy, Pathways (PTH) is providing programs and services that are working to stabilize, strengthen and empower families. Your partnership with us makes this possible! We hope you enjoy reading the first e-newsletter, On the Path and the impact your support is having in the lives of children and families every day. March 2012

Issue 1

Pathways to Home

March 2012

March 2012Page 1

March 2012Page 2

...bright future

for him

Make a difference.• Volunteer• HostaDressDownDaytoraisefundsforPathways(PTH)

• Sponsorafamily• SpeakersBureau• Hostadriveforneededitems

• Donateprofessionalserviceslikemarketingetc.

Kenny Roe has been an asset to Pathways to Home (PTH) since its inception; however, giving to his community is nothing new. As a volunteer FireFighter in Long Island, New York, at the age of 18, Kenny found it natural to serve his community and has not stopped since. Spurred on by an awareness of the blessings in his own life and the need in the lives of others, Kenny blesses PTH and the families it serves with his dedication and enthusiasm.

First introduced to Pathways to Home through St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, Kenny began by simply doing what needed to be done. Alissa Kraman, PTH Program Director, noted, “when presented with a challenge, Kenny acts quickly to Find a resolution.”

As president of Custom Wall Designs, LLC, Kenny has not only contributed his own personal resources to Pathways to Home, but also with the support of his family, friends and clients, he has encouraged others to become aware of the challenges facing homeless families in Seminole County. He Finds himself not only inspired by the families he meets and the impact PTH has had on their lives, but also our community’s generosity when the immense need that exists is understood.

The profound importance of organizations like PTH was underscored one day as he was helping store furniture inventory for PTH with the help of a local moving company that had donated their services. While loading items into the Boys Town building in Sanford, the young man employed with the moving company pointed out a room there that had been his bedroom for a time as a child. The man commented that the help he received there allowed him to have a great job, a great family and a fulFilling life. Witnessing this full-circle moment reinforced Kenny’s conviction that every child deserves a safe bed and a warm blanket.

As a community servant since his youth, Kenny has been very familiar with many charitable organizations, but remains astounded at how quickly Pathways to Home has grown and how much the organization has accomplished in a relatively short time. To anyone interested in volunteering, Kenny advises, “ don’t be afraid to start somewhere.” He adds that with even a minimal amount of time, anyone can help and just build on it from there to Find where one’s skills and time are most valuable.

Article by Megan Aldridge

empoweringfamilies together

get involved

spotlight: volunteer

wish listWearealwayslookingforin-kindcontributionstohelplowerthecost.Belowarejustafewthingsonour“wishlist.”Pleasecontactleond@pathwaystohome.org.

GiftCardsWelcomebasketsforfamiliesmovinginhomesOfficesuppliesPackagesoftoiletpaper,papertowels,lightbulbs

Birthdaycakesforfamiliesgraduatingfrom ourprogram

SilentauctionitemsforfundraisersDiapers–Allsizes

do

nate now...

Deniceisastrong,confidentandout

goingwoman.Deniseisalsoamother,a

daughterandwasadedicatedwife.

Butbehindthisintelligentandbeau

tiful

womenisastoryofphysicalandverbala

buse.

WhenDenice recalls her relationship

withher ex-husband, she says tha

t

whatstandsoutisthatyouneverkn

ewwhathismoodwouldbethatday.

Theabuseshereceivedwouldbeb

asedonhismoods.Shewouldhaveto

hideinherownhousebeforehear

rivedhome,forfearoftheabuseshe

mightreceive.

Denice stayed inthat home with her childr

en because she depended

on her husbandfinancially to care

for her and their children.Without

marketableskills,shefeltlikeshecoul

dn’taffordtoleaveandtakecareof

herselfandherchildren.

Oneday,afterreceivingablackeyefr

omhim,shefinallyhadenoughand

gathered thechildrenand left.As

sheexpected,her lifebecameeven

moredifficult.Denicedidfindajobmaking$8.00perho

ur,butcaringfor

afamilywithlowwageswasaconstantu

phillbattle.Thingstookaturn

for theworsewhenherhourswere

cutto8hoursevery2weeksand

Denicefoundherselflookingforem

ploymentonceagain.

JustwhenDenicewasfeelingathe

rlowestandallaloneshereceived

avisitfromAlissa,PathwaysProgramDirector.During

thisvisitDenice

foundout that shewasnot alone,

and that therewerepeoplewho

wanted to help her. She said tha

t she finally hadhope and that

Pathwayscouldhelphergetoutofth

isdeephole.

SoPathwaysbecameDenice’ssuppor

tsystem.Pathwayshelpedher

financiallyuntilshewasabletopay

herrent,utilitiesonherown.She

tookbudgeting classes, opened a

bank account andbegan taking

classes aimed at increasingher employability. Denic

e says Family

TeamConferencingreallyworksandhow

ithelpedherdothingsshe

couldn’timagineshewouldeverbeabletodo.

Today Denice isworking making $10.00 per

hour at Cocina214

Restaurant & Bar in Winter Park and sa

ys she is able to handle

situationscalmly,makingsounddecisions.Shementionsoftenthat

she is strong, stable and has high

self-esteem now that she has

graduatedfromthePathwaysprogram.Sheiscurrently

shopping

foravehicleofherown.Denicesta

tedthatonceshereceivesthe

educationthatshewants….justlookout!!

caring‘n

through the eyes of children

upcoming events

What can we learn from kids’ wishes?

Bepreparedtobesurprisedbythechild’sworld.For,amongtheanticipatedwishesfortoysandtreats,therearealsowishesofamazinghumanityandgrandness:

When asked, “If you could have three wishes, what would they be?”

Mark Your Calendars for these Upcoming Events:

The Pathway Home Breakfast

If youwant to learnmore about us, please join us forThe PathwayHomeBreakfast.Thisfreebreakfastwillenlightenyouandinspireyou.Helpmakeadifferenceinachild’slife,helpmakeadifferenceinyourcommunity,joinPathways(PTH)soyoutoocanmakeadifference.

Formoreinformationpleasecall407.585.3087.

Pathway to Home presents...Dance, Dream, & Inspire

SavetheDateforanexcitingnightoffunforagreatcause on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at the SanfordCivicCenter.

Six Stars (TBA) will be paired with professionaldancersfromlocaldancestudios.Moreinformationtocome soon!

Stable. Safe. Productive. Meaningful.

A few basic attributes of the American life most of us take for granted

perhaps,but to thousandsofCentral Florida’s childrenand families a life

withthesequalitiesisadreamyettoberealized.

Hereenters Intervention Services, Inc. (ISI)anon-profitorganizationserving

theneedsofat-riskanddependentchildrenandfamiliesinCentralFlorida

since1994.Infourcounties,ISIendeavorstoexpanditspartnershipswith

communitybusinesses toachieve thegreatestvalueofquality services

that foster personal and economic independence and self-reliance

amongthechildrenitserves.

As partners with Pathways to Home, children ages 18-23 who have

agedoutoftheformalfostercaresystemareguidedtowardspersonal

autonomy and self-sufficiency through mentoring and personal

developmentcounseling.

Lives thatonceseemedhopelessand fearfulnowhave the toolsand

potentialtobringtofruitiontheAmericandream.

Article by Megan Aldridge

March 2012Page 3

March 2012Page 4

partnership

“I would like to be a lawyer when I get out of college.”

-Molly, age 11

“car”-Nayom, age 6

-Molly, age 11

“my first wish would be probably to have a million dollars to take care of my family members.”

“To have a grandfather”-Derrick, age 9

“a pair of black jordan’s slides.”-Dimitri, age 6

“money”-Nayom, age 6

“to be successful”-John, age 13

“I wish to be a choreographer. I want to go to a great college and major in dance, especially Hip Hop.”

-Timothy, age 18

“i would love to rescue animals”-Timothy, age 18

“to be part monkey”-Derrick, age 9

“house”-Nayom, age 6

“i want a pet dog”-Timothy, age 18

donat

e today......provide momen

ts like this

Board of Advisors

Pathways Staff

Partner Agencies

SteveBurris,ChairAleneStewart,Vice-ChairJoeVaughan,SecretaryFatherJohnBluett,TreasurerGeorgeBakerCaptainGregBarnett

BakariBurnsSteveChitwoodWandaDutyEricGassman,CPA,CPFO,CGFOKathleenGallagherMcIverDeanaSchott

DebbraGroseclose Executive DirectorAlissaKraman Program DirectorDebbieLeon Development DirectorStaceyBeck Case Manager

AkilahHunte Resource Library - Public AlliesKellyJasen Eligibility SpecialistSharonNelson Case ManagerJenniferPlant Budget AnalystCharmaineWilliams Office Manager