PRESENTING THE 2025 CLASS OF PATHWAYS ACADEMY GRADUATES:

Tim, Jeff, Dakota, Nathan  

The 2025 class of Pathways Academy graduates lived together for over a year and a half. They spent that time learning, studying, trying and failing, trying again and succeeding, sharing a home, and generally doing life together… all with the hope and the goal of mastering the skills needed to one day live as independently as possible. For Tim, Jeff, Dakota and Nathan, that day has arrived.

Tim and Jeff decided to move out together and are enjoying the experience of living independently while sharing an apartment in Enola. They receive Home and Community supports as needed through UCP.

Dakota’s application for a one-bedroom apartment was approved and he made the move in early August.

At this writing, Nathan is still in the process of looking for housing and is working hard toward that goal.

On hand to celebrate the graduates on July 19 were parents, siblings, Pathways Academy staff, and members of UCP leadership. It was a beautiful summer day for a picnic on the back patio. Following the meal, a brief but meaningful moment was shared with each of the gentlemen.

Tyler Russell, Pathways Academy on site supervisor and the person who worked most closely with the guys, presented each of them with a Certificate of Achievement and a Pathways Academy logo tshirt. After joking about how they made “leaps and bounds in the chores department,” he remarked, “Seriously, each of you has come so far. Pathways Academy has been a stepping stone to your future. Go make the most of it.”

Director of Residential and Clinical Services Violet Mwangi congratulated the young men on all their success but also noted that she and her staff grew alongside them through their daily interactions. “You are NOT the same people today as the ones who entered this place a year and a half ago,” she commented. “And neither are we.”

Residential Manager Trish Dixon applauded the guys for working so hard for their independence, saying she sees bright things in the future for them. “You learned to use everything from Ubers to the oven to a hand mixer,” she said. “And like Tyler said, you got great at doing your chores!”

UCP President and CEO Janeen Latin was on hand to celebrate the graduates’ milestone—their transition from Pathways Academy to living in a place of their own. As they start their new journey, she encouraged them to take time to reflect on all they have accomplished so far, and to “continue to press for your goals, and you will achieve them.”

As if to underscore the “chores” comments, graduate Tim called out “Thank you for teaching Jeff and me how to do our chores!”

That’s likely coming in handy now that it’s just the two of them….

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PATHWAYS ACADEMY:

Contact:
Violet Mwangi
Director of Residential and Clinical Services
violet.mwangi@ucpcentralpa.org
717-737-3477, x168