Pathways to Independence

Celebrating Sophie's big April win with Third Degree Glass Factory 👩‍🏭

Back in April, Sophie’s family did an incredible job connecting with the most donors during our 36-hour Campaign. Her prize was creating any calendar event she wanted. She chose a glass-blowing demonstration at Third Degree Glass Factory, and Pathways made it happen!

A massive thank you to ...
❤️ Sophie, Kristy, Jerry, and their whole community for their advocacy
👏 Our Program Team for bringing Sophie’s vision to life
🔥 Third Degree Glass Factory for welcoming us into their space

When participants are motivated to use their own voices to support themselves and their peers, it expands horizons for everyone.

Click here to learn more and help create experiences like Sophie's: https://ptistl.org/2026/08/sophie-third-degree-glass-factory-event/

Are you looking for resources for a neurodiverse person in transition? Look no further! Our lovely collaborators at BCI (Boone Center Inc.) will host a Transition Planning Conference on Friday, September 18th.

This is an 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 below:
https://ptistl.org/2026/08/come-meet-us-bci-transition-conference/

Fostering friendships in Jefferson County 🫶

Pathways is thrilled to annouce that the Developmental Disability Advocates of Jefferson County have chosen to continue our partnership in 2026-2027 with $15,000 in support.

We are so grateful to the Developmental Disability Advocates for helping us fulfill our shared goal of bringing growth opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Jefferson County. With this investment, we can bring more people together to learn, grow, and thrive.

Thank you to the entire DD Advocates team for the important work you do for this community. To find out more about the DDA, visit ddadvocates.org.

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

🍻 Battling over board games and beer at Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade
🌻 Soaking up the sun(flowers) at Eckert's Country Store & Farms
😂 Giggling and going with the flow during improv with Reggie
🎳 Finding friendships at Wow! Fenton
🛟 Bumper boating at Swing-A-Round Fun Town
⭐ Stargazing and socializing at Broemmelsiek Park
🏎️ Smiling (and speeding!) through the Go-Kart track
🎨 Crafting with memory care patients alongside Craftibility Foundation
💌 Celebrating Chris with a farewell brunch before his big move
🏘️ Discovering what community means to us in Social College

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! DM us or click below to learn more:

https://ptistl.org/2026/08/20206-july-recap/

Missouri Voters: Election Day is next Tuesday, August 4th! 🗳️

Two major proposals (Amendments 4 and 5) are on the ballot and could directly impact funding, advocacy, and services for the IDD community.

Read and save this one-page guide to get the details and be an informed, engaged citizen.

👉 Click here for the full breakdown: https://ptistl.org/2026/07/missouri-amendments-4-and-5-voter-information/

🌻 Check Out Our New Little Free Library! 📚 Our participant, Samantha, asked for a book exchange, and thanks to some wonderful teamwork, it’s officially open!

Our incredible YA Program Manager, Mary Beth, donated a hand-painted bookshelf decorated with vibrant flowery wallpaper. It’s now a cozy, bright spot ready for readers! Whether you’re looking for fiction, resources, or a new recipe to try, our shelf has a little something for everyone.

How does it work? Take a book, leave a book!

You can help keep our shelf fresh by donating one to three of your favorite gently used books. Beyond stocking pages, we invite you to help us build a lasting culture of giving through your support.

📖 Read the full announcement, learn how the library works, and see how you can support our mission here: https://ptistl.org/2026/07/little-free-library-st-louis/

Soaking in all the summer magic! ☀️ Pathways spent the month filling our calendar with one adventure after another.

Here’s a look back at everything we got up to this month:

⛳️ Aloha Mini Golf: Hitting the greens for a little friendly competition

👾 Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade in St. Charles: Welcoming our new Executive Director alongside our folks for some classic games!

🤝 CSF Celebrations: Highlighting our partnership with the Children's Services Fund St. Louis County Children's Service Fund (shoutout to our staff, Jessie and Mary Beth!)

🏊‍♂️ Pool Day: Beating the heat at the pool in Maryland Heights

🍄 Mario Kart Party: Epic Young Adult gaming battles that sparked conversations!

🍔 Water Games & BBQ Potluck: Big splashes, delicious food, and great company

🎄 Christmas in July: Bringing a little holiday cheer to the summer heat

🌺 Botanical Gardens: Soaking in the sights and scenery with new geometric features!

🥤 Soda Palooza: Testing our tastebuds with incredible craft sodas donated by Millstream Brewing (a huge thank you to staff Madison’s family brewery!)

Moments like these are at the heart of everything we do. If you want to help us keep the adventures going and power our upcoming programs, head to ptistl.org/donate to chip in! 💙

Turn your Missouri tax bill into local impact! 💰 Did you know you can receive 50% of your gift back as a state tax credit? Through Missouri’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), qualifying gifts of $1,000+ to Pathways to Independence come with major tax savings!

For example: A $1,000 gift provides at least $500 in tax credits, making it easier to support adults with disabilities as they build friendships, life skills, and community connections. 🤝

Who qualifies? Broad eligibility includes small business owners, sole proprietors, farm operators, landlords (rental income), corporations, and partners in an LLC/S-Corp.

🔗 Click here to read the full article and see how to claim your credits: https://ptistl.org/2025/08/cut-taxes-create-community/

Creating Opportunities in St. Charles County 🌱

We’re excited to highlight our continued collaboration with the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of St. Charles County!

Thanks to a generous investment of close to $170,000 from the DDRB, we’re able to continue offering social and skill-building opportunities for local individuals with developmental disabilities, helping participants foster independence and stay fully connected to their community.

Huge thanks to the DDRB team for their leadership and dedication to building a St. Charles County where everyone belongs.

See how DDRB supports local individuals and families at www.ddrb.org.