Pathways

The programs here at Pathways were created to help all of those in need. Whether it's school-based bereavement for children, grief support for families, or hospice care for older adults, people of all ages benefit from our services.

---- Care Navigation ----

Today's society is faced with the challenge of maintaining high standards of health care despite a continued increase in medical costs, population of older adults, and an ever-increasing number of people diagnosed with a chronic illness that require long-term care. Most want to continue living independently and only require assistance when needed, but the majority in our community do not have the social/financial support to obtain an at-home companion.

With the rising standards of health care and expensive medical costs, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain proper care. Through Pathways' Care Navigation program, however, individuals can find help and comfort with our Care Team and compassionate volunteer companions.

--- Hospice Care ---

Hospice is about living life to the fullest until the very end. Too often, the clients we see are struggling with managed healthcare systems and restrictive HMOs, leaving them marooned on an island in a sea of red tape. They are tired, they are weary, and they need help. Pathways helps clients make the end of life as meaningful and as precious as the beginning.

--- Bereavement for Children and Families ---

Pathways has been serving the community with the oldest bereavement programs for children and families in the Greater Long Beach/Lakewood area. Since 1991, Pathways has provided CHANGES, a unique grief support program designed specifically for children, teens, their families, and education professionals. CHANGES combines a unique team of grief professionals and volunteers to help children and teens realize that their experiences are normal.

Using art, games, storytelling, activities, writing, and talking, families learn how to manage grief. Real community develops with other families in the program and with the CHANGES volunteers who lead our groups. Our goal is to make sure these children and their families realize that they're not alone.

--- School-Based Bereavement ---

Pathways has been serving the community with the oldest bereavement programs for children and families in the Greater Long Beach/Lakewood area. Some of the ways we help schools are:

- Faculty and staff training and development programs including, "What to Do When Grief Comes to School"
- Counseling, consultation and coaching when you are working with a grieving child or teen
- Classroom visit after a child, parent, or faculty death
- School-based bereavement support groups
- Referrals to other agencies as needed

--- Adult Grief Support ---

Pathways provides two different grief support groups catered towards adults dealing with loss:

Journey groups are designed for adults who are learning to cope with loss to gain encouragement from one another in the process of adjustment. Grief presents a variety of experiences, often causing us to feel like we are losing our minds. But grieving people are not crazy; we are learning to adjust to life, to a new set of circumstances and routines. Sharing our experiences and learning from each other does not lessen our grief, but it does help us to understand what in our experience is "normal".

Created specifically for women who have lost a loved one, our Widows Group meets every Tuesday afternoon to provide a safe space for all widows to process grief through sharing and learning from each others' experiences.

Testimonials

"Please tell your donors that it is important to fund a program like Pathways because you are providing tremendous help and a great sense of relief to students who are learning how to navigate a tough moment in their lives. Our students range from ages 5-12 and they're still trying to learn more about themselves, about school, and about life in general. When they experience a loss in their lives and they don't have the appropriate tools to help them overcome their grief and loss, it can be extremely detrimental to their journey. Pathways is able to provide our students with a "toolbox" of skills to continue to heal and cope in a healthy manner."
- From a LBUSD School Counselor

"Pathways means everything to me and I would not be alive today without all of you here taking care of everything for me."
- Armando, Pathways Client

"Pathways' support during a challenging time was essential to our school. Offering their services on campus made it accessible for our students. Knowing that this is an agency that is an expert on the topic and can support students made it more manageable.
Thank you Pathways for your support!"
- Millikan High School - Social Worker

"Pathways pulled out students to give them time to process their grief. The students grew to build relationships with each other as well as the facilitators."
- Addams Elementary- School Counselor