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Our visionary, Doris Chism’s investment of time, talent and effort has
made Pathways LLC a first-class facility. The beautiful décor features
solid wood furniture, plenty of spacious closets, even radios for the
residents. A fax, computer and copier are available to residents for
educational pursuits to their fullest potential. Pathways LLC has some
of the finest furnishings in the group home industry, thus setting a new
standard in quality living.
 Pathways
LLC establishes a clear line of communication of responsibilities with
each resident. They are assigned chores and have a full understanding
that keeping a home tidy is a group effort. Pathways LLC teaches values
and moral standards by order. When the children get out of bed in the
morning, it is their job to clean. There is no TV, computer, or phone
time until their room is cleaned and inspected by a counselor. The
children live in a first-class home, with a dish washer, in-house
washing machine, a bathroom with a sunken tub, shower, and double sink.
We assign chores and we make the children stick to them. There are
penalties if chores are not done. Loss of privileges or loss of
visitations normally gets the residents going… no one wants to sit home
on the weekends.
Transportation is important in a rural community. Pathways LLC has two
15-passenger vans to accommodate our residents’ transportation needs.
At Pathways LLC we believe that simply taking away privileges does not
correct the problem or change the behavior. This is where our counselors
excel. One-on-one or group counseling sessions are where we reinforce
the standards of living for each and every resident to change behaviors.
Our rooms feature plenty of seating for counselors, residents and
visitors. Our residents take pride in their living environment and are
proud to have family and friends over for a visit. Pathways LLC chose to
provide more space per resident than the average service provider in the
industry. We believe the more space per person, the more the resident
feels free from peer pressure; feels less crowded by other residents and
less affected by the changes in mood or behavior of his peers. Pathways
LLC strives to raise the bar in providing a first class living
environment for its residents.
These children have an opportunity to become great citizens and to
become responsible and to excel in all avenues in life - from home
living to their education. We can see that Pathways is setting a new
standard of residential care and residential living for the Southern VA
area. Proof of our philosophy is a young man who was recently given a
car of his own. A car that was purchased by our visionary, Doris Chism;
of her own finances. Ms. Chism wanted to express her profound happiness
in this young man for his exemplary behavior and his will and drive to
succeed.
Pathways is established to provide long-term, post-dispositional
residential services to troubled adolescent boys between the ages of 12
and 17. Residents are involved in ongoing individual, group, and family
counseling in a structured environment designed to encourage increased
responsibility and individual growth.
Pathways will provide full time care, maintenance, protection and guidance
to adolescent males. During this time the resident will obtain the
necessary tools to survive and become productive members of society which
includes: personal, social, ethics, school, self esteem and a structured
environment.
The program is aimed at teaching and reinforcing new methods of
communication, problem solving, and assuming responsibility for actions.
The program emphasizes both individual and group experiences. It is
focused on managing stress and learning appropriate ways of resolving
difficulties through communication and cooperation rather than avoidance
and/or denial.
While in the program residents will attend public schools. This program
will be monitored and supportive services will be available to assist
residents in succeeding in academic situations.
The overall goal is to work with a juvenile and his family to facilitate
growth both as an individual and a family (family involvement only if
requested by the legal guardian.) We hope to encourage all family members
to assume responsibility for difficulties and to work towards resolving
differences. The primary focus will be on the individual resident with the
goal of increasing mature and responsible actions through staff, family
and peers activities. INDEPENDENT LIVING
Residents will be taught basic independent living skills, which include
money management, laundry, proper job interview skills and the importance
of getting along with others. Residents will have role models who stress
the importance of education, hard work, social growth and personal
responsibility. The Pathways Youth Services will help residents prepare
for the transition back to their families or into independent living
situations.
CAREER SERVICES
The Pathways Youth Services enjoys coordination and partnerships
with the business and legal sectors of our local and state communities.
These relationships provide resources for the residents in after school,
summer and permanent employment opportunities. Our career services focus
on fostering skills needed for residents to be competitive in the work
force. Specifically the Pathways Youth Services provides the following
career services.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Our program is designed to ensure that each participant has
adequate access to education. It is a personal tragedy when a student
spends year after year experiencing defeat and failure in school. A
continuous and central factor that attributes to this failure is the way
in which students view themselves and their abilities. The Pathways Youth
Services educational and computer programs shall focus on educating the
total child.
RECREATIONAL SERVICES
The staff of Pathways Youth Services recognizes that a regular
recreational program is important to the physical, intellectual and
psychological health of our residents. We desire to have our residents
involved in a variety of activities in order to stimulate an interest in
positive behavior and motivate them to succeed in areas where previously
they may have failed or have not been involved. Regular planned activities
for residents at the home and in the community are provided. YMCA
facilities are utilized as well.
Doris Chism’s unique vision
continues with the addition of the
Learning Center. |
