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Support for Pathways

My sister - Diane Warfield - is the principal/autistic coordinator for Pathways School located in Belleville.  The school serves 120 or so children, ages 5 - 21, from 23 different school districts within Saint Clair County.  

The majority of the students come from extreme poverty.  Approximately 20% of the students are in the foster care system or live in an orphanage.  And a few of the families are even homeless and live without the basic necessities.   The students require intensive educational and emotional services that cannot be provided within the public school due to emotional disabilities and mental health issues.  Their stories are heart-breaking. 

Pathways is devoted to making a difference in the lives of the students it serves. The teachers and administrators often take on the role of parents and families.  They provide things such as haircuts, shoes, holiday gifts, holiday meals, food baskets throughout the year, and even clothing.  They have taken children to Walgreens to see a doctor because their families were unable to do so.  At times the children are dirty and need to take showers at school, so the staff provide the basic necessities to maintain personal hygiene.  The school also has a washer and dryer so students can wash their clothes.

Pathways strives to provide the highest quality education that benefits, not only the students’ academic needs, but also their social and emotional needs as well.  These children will grow up to be our neighbors and live in our communities.  The school strives to provide them with opportunities to experience positive activities outside of their homes.  The staff plans events which are new to them. For example: One time they took them to the country to someone’s property to let them fish and take nature walks.  The group was making s’mores and one teenage said, “What are those?”  To think a teenager has never been exposed to one of life’s best treats is very heart wrenching.

Given the state of the current budget crisis, there isn't money to support these students and their needs.  This year, Pathways created a wish list of items they would like to have in order to continue to create amazing experiences for the students, including things like a BBQ grill, Wal-Mart gift cards, bounce house, IPads, Laptops, sensory toys, field trip excursions (Sky  Zone, bowling alley, museum). 

I am asking for your support to help the Pathways students through a monetary donation.  100% of your donation will be used to fund the wish list and help the children.  Pathways relies on the support of not only the teachers and staff, but also the community and wonderful people, such as you.

Thank you!
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Donations 

  • john heaney
    • $100 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Angela Quinn
Organizer
Saint Louis, MO

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