Pathways to Independence

10/20/2026

⏰ December 31st Deadline: Keep your business tax dollars local this year! When you support Pathways to Independence with MO business income, Missouri’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) gives you 50% of your gift back as a direct credit on your state taxes.

💡 How it Works:
1. Donate $1,000 to Pathways to Independence
2. Receive a $500 direct tax credit against your Missouri tax liability
3. All $1,000 goes directly to helping individuals with disabilities build social skills and independence in our community!

👥 Who Qualifies?
• Missouri Businesses (Corporations, LLCs, S-Corps, Partnerships)
• Sole Proprietors
• Farm Operations
• Individuals reporting MO Rental or Royalty Income

⚡ Tax credits are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be secured before December 31st, so don't wait!

📞 DM us, Call us at 314-863-0202, or email [email protected] to get started. You make the donation, and our team handles filing the state paperwork for you.

10/16/2026

You asked, we listened. We are excited to launch a brand-new Young Adult Series Program, featuring a six-week kitchen skills series! 🧑‍🍳🍳

Designed to build deeper friendships through repeated interactions with the same group, participants learn cooking safety and meal prep while forming stronger bonds with peers. 💛

Young adults kicked off the program last night by decorating their own custom keepsake apron and practicing safe knife skills! 🔪

Read the full story: https://ptistl.org/2026/10/neurodiverse-young-adult-cooking-series/

10/14/2026

Did you know Pathways has its own branded merchandise? 🧡 Participant Ambassadors recently got their official ambassador swag, which included Find Your People gear from our very own merch store!

Gift yourself a new hoodie, ball cap, drawstring bag, or mug and support your people this fall.

Take a look at https://pathwaystoindependence.printful.me/

P.S. Can you guess who our mystery model is in the last slide? 👀

10/08/2026

Productive Living Board is conducting a community-wide needs assessment to better understand what services are most needed in St. Louis County.

If you are an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability, a family member, or someone who supports individuals with IDD, PLB wants to hear from you!

The survey is open now through Thursday, October 31.

Questions? Call PLB at (314) 726-6016.

Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RW33QS to make sure your voice is heard.

10/06/2026

"It really is just a great opportunity to connect with a group of people who are passionate about inclusion." That's how Washington University in St. Louis student leader Josie describes her Best Buddies International chapter's ongoing partnership with Pathways.

This ongoing collaboration brings college students together with participants across our Young Adult and adult programs for genuine connection. Through interactive group activities and one-on-one buddy pairs, this partnership connects our participants with peers in the wider community while giving students hands-on experience in disability advocacy.

Reflecting on the personal impact of these gatherings, Josie shared: "My favorite part is just seeing those friendships blossom."

Pathways is actively seeking to build similar partnerships with forward-thinking businesses, educational institutions, and civic organizations. Partnering with us gives your team a hands-on way to embody inclusion and make a lasting impact in the Greater St. Louis area.

📲 Read the full feature article to get started: https://ptistl.org/2026/10/community-partner-volunteer-opportunities-st-louis-pathways/

10/02/2026

Who's ready for some fun this fall? 🙋‍♀️ 🍂 Pathways is making the most of the change in seasons by trying new things and making friends! Let's see what we got up to in September:

🐴 Laura, Ryan, and Cindy connected with Sundance and learned about how animals can heal people thanks to Arise Equine Therapy

🤜 Kristie, Brandon, and Kathleen gained confidence and self defense skills with the guidance of Legends Karate

🪢 Young Adults Drew, Matthew, and Ava passed their friend Zac through the low ropes course in Missouri Bluffs State Park

✨ Cindy hosted a Social Focus Small Group seeing the beautiful light displays at MO Botanical gardens with her friends

🐶 Brian and Dorian enjoyed petting puppies and shopping at the St. Charles Vintage Market

🎮 Katie hosted a Social Focus Small Group exploring and talking pokemon at Yeti Gaming

😂 Melissa shared a laugh with Tina at Courtney's Social Focus Small Group at the Streets of St. Charles Concert

🥨 Ben and Matthew shared snacks and smiles in St. Charles at Oktoberfest

🌈 Susie, John, Aaron and friends expressed themselves in their brightest rainbows for Tower Grove Pride

🔍 Young Adults Ava, KP, and Mitchell solved the mystery at Adventures in Intrigue

Make a meaningful impact. Partner with Pathways for your next volunteering event and join us in making memories!

🔗 Go to ptistl.org/get-involved/volunteer/ to learn more!

09/30/2026

As we reflect on our recent Annual family Picnic, it's days like this that remind us of the core of our mission: connection, confidence, and community.

Participants enjoyed the company of each other and got to know each other's families through casual chit chat over lunch and through get-to-know-you games. We also got games of wiffle ball and football going on the field!

Thank you to the J for partnering with us for so many years and allowing us to use your beautiful pavilion and recreational green space ⚾ and thank you to Valenti's Catering for providing delicious pasta, salad, and rolls 🍝

Thank you to Blue Bell Creameries for donating perfect portions of chocolate and vanilla ice cream 🍦 and thank you to our Ambassadors, Crystal and Dave, for hand-delivering ice cream to families!

If you want to be a part of the magic, consider supporting these lifechanging programs through donation or sponsorship. To learn more, go to ptistl.org/donate

09/25/2026

We are so proud of Aaron and Jay! What a great opportunity to master the same types of social skills we learn at Pathways in an inclusive professional environment. We love bringing Social Growth groups to try all your delicious treats and see the Pioneer team's great work 💛

At the heart of The Pioneer Café is a commitment to inclusion, breaking down barriers, and creating lifelong opportunities for people of all abilities. And you, our customers, are a key part of making that possible.

Today, we’re proud to congratulate our five 2026 StepUP graduates! 🎓👏

StepUP, our award-winning collaboration with Lafayette Industries, has now celebrated six graduating classes and 60 graduates. Even more importantly, 45 graduates (75%) have gained and maintained competitive employment after successfully completing this rigorous, multi-year training program.

And we’re just getting started! Our largest new StepUP class ever begins in early October, and we need your help. Every time you visit The Pioneer gives our participants more opportunities to learn, practice, grow and build the skills and confidence needed for lifelong employment.

So STEP UP for StepUP! Stop in a little more often, bring a friend, have breakfast or lunch, and be part of creating opportunities that can last a lifetime. 💙


BreakingBarriers StLouis
kirkwoodsfavoritebreakfast
downtownkirkwood

09/24/2026

Wow! What an incredible show of community we got to experience recently in St. Charles County. Pathways attended two incredible events that brought us face to face with some of the most dedicated advocates across sectors - families, direct support professionals, educators, and more!

🤝 Thank you to everyone at Community Council of St. Charles County for the amazing opportunity to connect with other nonprofits at the Community Services Summit. Our Adult Program Manager, Christine, connected with many organizations that could be vital resources for our participants.

🚀 And thank you to the team behind the BCI (Boone Center Inc.) Disability Transition Planning Conference for bringing together disability services and the families who need them. Our Executive Director, Matt, was a member of the planning committee who made sure the event ran smoothly, including insightful breakout sessions and parent panels.

Our Community Engagement Coordinator, Grace, represented Pathways at both events, welcoming guests at the information booth and sharing the organization's mission with attendees.

How lucky we are to learn and connect with the neurodiverse and the professionals who support them! We cannot wait to build these connections into meaningful partnerships that help all of us in St. Charles County. Thank you so much 🧡

🔗 Click here to learn more: https://ptistl.org/2026/09/st-charles-county-disability-support-partnerships/

09/21/2026

Behind every metric is a personal journey of courage and growth.

From July 2025 to July 2026, the Pathways community focused on building real skills and lifelong connections. Here is what that growth looks like:

💪 99% increased their level of independence
🩵 99% reported feeling a sense of belonging at Pathways
🎯 98% saw measurable skill improvement in social skills, self advocacy, and functional life skills
🏠 97% of families see participants actively apply these skills at home

Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and helps this incredible community thrive!

🔗 Learn more at our website: https://ptistl.org/2026/09/pathways-outcomes-in-action/