PathPoint – Adding Independence to Autism
Individuals with disabilities are just that – individuals, with different needs, interests, talents and abilities. Without proper services and programs available to them, they are at high-risk for poverty, homelessness, neglect, and abuse.
PathPoint, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in California in 1964, is dedicated to helping people with disabilities or disadvantages reach their fullest potential. They help them overcome barriers to employment by placing them in work environments that are compatible with their individual interests, talents and abilities.
PathPoint currently serves over 2,000 individuals with disabilities or disadvantages, including people with physical or developmental disabilities (such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, or Down Syndrome), people with psychiatric disabilities (such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, or Anxiety Disorder), and people who are disadvantaged (such as low-income seniors or at-risk foster youth transitioning to independence).
The mission of PathPoint is “to provide comprehensive training and support services that empower people with disabilities or disadvantages to live and work as valued members of our communities.” To accomplish this, they provide a wide range of employment, independent living, and community access services from building social skills, vocational skills, and independent living skills, to providing the support necessary to maintain true, personal independence for a lifetime.
PathPoint’s living services assist people with disabilities or disadvantages who desire to live more independently. Designed to fit the specific needs of each person, they include learning health and medication management as well as community living skills like nutritional cooking, personal hygiene, safety, banking and money management.
PathPoint also offers day programs where participants access community services and develop independent living skills (such as banking, budgeting, public transportation, safety and recreational planning) that will benefit them for a lifetime.
Hundreds of businesses, big and small, including 7-11, Pizza Hut, hospitals, schools and even the Social Security Administration, have partnered with PathPoint to provide employment opportunities to its participants. In return, the businesses receive customized staffing solutions to help meet all levels of employment needs with well-trained, motivated employees. PathPoint staff provides consultation with businesses interested in diversifying their workforce.
Click here to visit their website and learn more about PathPoint.
(photo courtesy of PathPoint website)
