It is the philosophy of Pathways Youth Services that given adequate structure and support that most adolescents are capable of personal growth and will assume more mature and responsible behavior. The staff recognizes the importance of modeling appropriate behavior and establishing activities and counseling which are primarily focused on the resident's strengths and growth potential. In this manner it is possible to create an atmosphere where youths can experience success in various activities and develop and grow in a positive way.

In structuring the program in a positive way we can establish an environment that can facilitate positive experiences and offer youths a viable alternative to their previous experiences which often consist of a series of failures. The objective is to have youths rationally assess their situations with the primary focus on future possibilities rather than past failures.

An individual program will be written for each resident with consideration given to their individual needs. Progress will allow for supportive counseling and activities in the area of personal growth and hygiene, vocational counseling, educational opportunities, and family problem solving. In this way we feel that youths in this program will have the opportunity to develop more responsible attitudes and to view themselves and their futures in a more positive and purposeful manner.