Mission: With offices throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and advocacy initiatives on behalf of low-wage workers statewide, PathWaysPA provides programs committed to the development of client self-sufficiency which leads to the fulfillment of our mission: to help women, teens, children and families achieve economic independence and family well-being.
Programs: Pathways pa's center for families (cff) is a supervised group residence that serves women and their children referred by the child welfare system. 50 or more persons reside at the center at any given time. Center for families staff promotes education, teaches parenting and life skills, fosters self esteem and moves women towards attainment of their life goals, family well-being and self-sufficiency. The center also promotes the healthy physical, emotional and social development of children through early childhood development programs; enrollment and maintenance of school ages children in the local school system; an after-school homework club and summer activities. During this year, pathways estimates that the program served 20 women and 49 children.
the supervised independent living (sil) program is a dhs-referred program that provides safe and secure housing; basic necessities; education and employment support; case management services; life and parenting skill training; as well as group and individual counseling to pregnant adolescents and teen moms between the ages of 16 adn 21. Sil, located in philadelphia, assists young women in locating safe, affordable housing and supports their transition to independence. Post-discharge, pathways pa provides aftercare services to all young women and their children for up to one year. Aftercare case management ensures that the children are receiving appropriate medical and behavioral health services and that mothers are connected to community support programs. Non-residential services are also available. Pathways estimates that the program served 51 women and children.
self-sufficiency programs engage a multi-faceted approach that involved outreach, programs, initiatives, education and advocacy to help individuals and families along the path to economic self-sufficiency. Services include: financial education program that incorporates both workshops and individual financial counseling to help low-income clients build paths to self-sufficiency; volunteer income tax assistance program for free income tax preparation; healthcare industry partnership which brings together healthcare providers in the region to identify and address workforce needs and skills gaps and helps low-wage and displaced workers attain the skills necessary to improve earnings, employment opportunities and advancement along a career ladder; youth initiatives which target current students and out-of-school youth and provide paid work experience, career exploration as well as communication and job readiness skills. During this year, pathways estimates that the program served 4,450 women and children.
various other programs undertaken in order to carry out the organization's mission.
I became involved with PathWays PA in 2005 and was elected Chair of the Board of Directors in 2007. Since my very first visit involving staff and clients in one of our offices, I remain amazed at the professionalism and dedication of PathWays PA employees in their pursuit to provide the necessary services for assisting women and children. The leadership and inspiration provided daily by Carol Goertzel (President / CEO) and her staff is phenomenal and is frequently rewarded through additional grants and opportunities to make the organization even better.
The organization has weathered the recent economic downturn relatively well and continues to look for ways to embrace the ever expanding communities and potential services that support the PathWays PA mission to help low-income women, teens, children, and families achieve family well-being and economic independence. Bruce Oestreich
Chair of the Board of Directors
PathWays PA
