Pathway to Independence
By Nicole Slater
CHS – Pathways invites you to an Open House. Join CHS Pathways, A shelter for young adults experiencing homelessness, for an Open House at 608 E. Granger Ave. #25 on Dec 14 from 3pm to 6pm. Volunteers will show you how the space has recently received an extreme makeover and share more about the program and the young people who live there. Call Les Clements at (209) 527-6589.
Five friends volunteered this fall to, “Adopt” a Pathways Apartment through the Center for Human Services, Becky Murphy, Eva Steward, Ann Kline, Cheryl Smith and Nicole Slater.
These apartments are occupied by Foster children who have reached the age of 18 and no longer have a place to live. The Center for human services, have 8 apartments these young adults can live in for up to 3 years. They have to be drug free, working on their GED and have a job. The goal is to get them out of the “System”! The apartment we adopted began a transform and change us on day one!
We took pictures of the apartment and at first glance it was just about the cosmetics. What could we do to make it look better? We later discovered it was about looks but also about making it home. We emailed and wrote to friends that we could count on. Spent Saturdays at garage sales and made old things new again. We spent hours painting and refinishing and recovering. This process was somewhat symbolic of what we were doing for these children, (Making them feel new again).
It was amazing how all five, creative friends worked well together. Everyone took a part that fit their talent or time restraints. We wanted the apartment to look good…but, most importantly…. our goal was to make them feel like they were home!
Through our journey we found two wonderful gals doing their best to move forward in life. They are working, drug free and continuing their education. Bianca, one of the girls who lived in the apartment has a shinning personality that is thankful for where she is today.
Pathways has been there for these young adults by providing guidance, care and respect. They are the most- kind group of people we have met. They were always saying thank you and why are you so nice to us? It is funny that as we were helping them…they were helping us. Our hearts are full.
We discovered that we have good hearts, wonderful friends, fun memories and best of all a place called Pathways, here in Modesto, CA to help young fostered adults grow to become self efficient great people. “Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”
