Pathways Adult Learning Center Inc

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) can often feel like invisible members of our society, with too few opportunities for them to fill their days meaningfully after high school graduation. Imagine feeling stuck at home all day every day for years, wishing for something more. Imagine being a caregiver for an adult with I/DD, wishing for respite opportunities. Unfortunately, the disability community and their caregivers often experience marginalization and can have difficulty finding services and support that can greatly improve their lives.

At Pathways Adult Learning Center, we help adults with I/DD and their families and caregivers in three ways:

• Provide God-centered, arts-integrated and differentiated continuing education developed to practically and qualitatively enhance lives.
• Empower adults with I/DD to cultivate curiosity, grow in confidence and self-advocacy to have more influence over the direction of their own lives.
• Build community and support for families and caregivers with respite and social networking opportunities, while encouraging them to partner with their adult with I/DD in planning their lives.

Adults with I/DD and their families and caregivers need more options for daily enrichment and respite. By providing continuing education, life skills training, health and fitness activities, community volunteerism, and spiritual growth opportunities both part-time and full-time through year-round in-person and virtual classes, Pathways makes it possible for these students and families to achieve their individual goals and enhance their quality of life.

YOU can help us make dreams come true when you donate to our cause. If we can raise at least $6,000 through this online campaign between July 18, 2022 and August 12, 2022, we'll be considered for a grant of up to $100,000 from A Community Thrives (part of the USA Today network) & the Gannett Foundation.

Funds raised through this campaign will help us build a stronger, more inclusive community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. Funds will support this community-building by providing:

1. 2023 Pathways Prom - Funds will allow us to grow and expand this event to serve more of the Tulsa community. Prom is an incredible night where our adults with I/DD can shine! It's an important social opportunity for these adults to connect in the most fun way, while providing a respite opportunity for their families and caregivers. We work hard to provide the red carpet treatment from getting dressed and made up, to the venue and decor, to the dance floor and music, to snacks, photography and sensory-friendly activities. Prom has it all. And with your help, we hope to further enhance the experience for everyone and double participation this year by expanding this event to also include adults that are not currently enrolled in our programs! 
2. 2023 Pathways Carnival - The Pathways Fall Carnival is a fun, free-to-attend, family-friendly event that provides a hugely entertaining experience for adults with I/DD and their families while also drawing a large crowd of the Tulsa community that may not yet be aware of the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This event includes activities such as aerial acrobatics, motorcycle rides, a climbing rock wall, petting zoo, therapy pony, trunk-or-treat, and so much more. With your help, we'll be able to grow this event to reach more of the community. This event helps raise major awareness for this mission and underserved population.
3. Program supplies and support for year-round in-person and virtual enrichment classes for adults with intellectual disabilities. We currently serve 88 adults with I/DD. Your support will help provide the resources we need to help more adults with I/DD to live happier, healthier and more enriching lives through interactive, arts-integrated programming!

Thank you for supporting our students!