Faces-of-Inclusion-2020-03-March-single_page

THANK YOU for being a supporter
ince March 15, Pathfinder Services has been on a rapid change curve as the
SCOVID-19 virus hit Indiana with a vengeance. Our number one goal was
and still is to put into place a service design to protect those we serve from
being infected with the COVID-19 virus. As was the case with many other organizations,
we had disaster plans in place, but they were not based on a real
experience with a pandemic as uncertain and rapid as the one we are facing
today.
JOHN NIEDERMAN
President and CEO
WHO WE ARE
Pathfinder Services envisions a
community in which all people are
valued and accepted and have
control over their own destinies. Our
Mission is to strengthen communities
primarily by enabling people facing
physical, developmental, or economic
challenges to achieve independence,
inclusion, and stability.
Our experience so far continues to amaze me from the perspective of the dedication
and passion of those who work for Pathfinder Services. They have
worked hard to keep themselves and those we serve safe and healthy. The
support staff in human resources, accounting, informational technology, and
marketing/development has kept the agency running smoothly as we closed
our offices, and in one week, adapted to services that are conducted either
virtually and remotely or directly with those we serve in self-isolation or with
immense precautions.
As I think about the future for those we serve and how we will serve them
given the uncharted and uncertain environment we will face, I think about the
unpredictable patterns of the COVID-19 virus and the local, state, and national
responses to it.
What I do know is that we have remarkable people who will do whatever is
needed to make the continuous changes necessary to actively serve and
enable the wonderful people we serve to live stable and fulfilling lives.
Please join us on this new path that Pathfinder Services is on to create the
resources and service design that will continue to meet our Mission of
strengthening the communities of those we serve through enabling them to
have meaningful lives.
Program
SPOTLIGHT
The Mask Making Project
Keeping those we serve and our staff safe during the COVID-19
pandemic has always been our top priority at Pathfinder Services.
One of our biggest projects began even before we all had to shelter
in place. The Mask Making Project, led by Sheryl Cline, kicked off
with an in-person demonstration on how to make a double-layered,
properly fitting, washable facemasks by Kris Hittler.
Staff members and volunteers stepped up. As of now, more than 20
individuals and two groups have provided us with more than 700
masks…and they are still going strong!
Thanks to the hard work and generosity of others, every person we
serve, and every employee has at least one mask. Our DSPs and
other front-line employees have at least two so they can have a
freshly washed mask every day. We even have some on reserve for
new hires and as replacements for damaged or worn out masks.
We are forever grateful to everyone who has heled with this
project! Thank you!

Thriving Through
COVID-19
300+
DIRECT SUPPORT
PROFESSIONALS
working on the
front lines 24/7 in
our group and
waiver homes.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
AN EASTER STORY
Direct Support Professionals
on the Front Lines
We all know those at greatest risk for getting
COVID-19 are front-line workers. At Pathfinder
Services, those are our Direct Support
Professionals. DSPs work in our group and
waiver homes serving our friends with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their
jobs became especially difficult with COVID-19
and shelter in place, as even the smallest change
for those we serve can be overwhelming. Our
DSPs have gone above and beyond!
Easter is a time of togetherness, family, and
tradition. Not being able to be together on a
holiday is difficult for everyone. For those we
serve, it can be devastating.
As we saw, however, our DSPs made sure to
celebrate all that is Easter. They colored eggs,
hunted eggs, and sent Easter messages in
sidewalk chalk.
178
PEOPLE BEING SERVED
in our group and
waiver homes
every day.
700+
MASKS
made by staff and
volunteers for every
employee and person
being served at
Pathfinder
Services.
Another example came from
Chris West. We serve her sister
Stephanie, who couldn’t stop
crying when she was told she
wouldn’t be able to celebrate
Easter with her family. Chris
shared, with her own tears,
how the DSPs in Stephanie’s
house surprised her with an
Easter Basket, let her borrow
their phones so she could
interact with her family on
Facetime, and even made
sure Stephanie had her
favorite dinner of ham, sweet
potato casserole, and green
bean casserole. Chris says she
is beyond grateful to the DSPs
and all they do to help her sister and others thrive
in this time of uncertainty.
If being a DSP sounds like a job you or someone
you know would be interested in, we are always
hiring! For more information, please visit our
website at www.pathfinderservices.org/careers

3 RD ANNUAL
AUGUST
20 TH
5
WAYS
PATHFINDERSERVICES.ORG/GET-INVOLVED
YOU
CAN GET
INVOLVED
3 Donate
In-kind gifts of paint, pencils,
craft paper, and more go a long
way to inspire new artists and
young learners.
1 Give
Your financial support makes
what we do possible, by filling
the gap between government
support and the actual cost it
takes to serve people with
barriers.
4 Partner
Monthly giving provides reliable
revenue that helps sustain our
work.
2 Volunteer
No matter your interests or
passion, there are opportunities
to make a difference in the
lives of our friends.
5 Visit
Attend an event, visit one of
our sites, and bring your
friends! This is the best way to
see our mission up-close.
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
EDUCATION & TRAINING
2824 Theater Ave. P.O. Box 1001, Huntington, IN 46750
800-833-1571 | PathfinderServices.org