Pathways Community Development

My name is Bill Weems. I am a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho and a resident of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. In 2011, I saw a need for community action to address ongoing conditions of poverty, community blight, and failing infrastructure. Unemployment presents a continuing obstacle to community improvement. Lack of communication and collaboration between tribal, municipal, and county governments only confounded the problems we face. I felt compelled to do something.

So I began researching nonprofits and their impacts on the communities they serve. I began recruiting community members interested in serving as a board of directors for a nonprofit entity. We came up with a name and I incorporated it. I completed and submitted the necessary application to the IRS for tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3). Within 50 days of submission, we received our determination letter. Pathways Community Development Corporation was born.

In the time since 2011, we have made slow but significant progress in bettering our reservation communities. We applied for and received a grant to repair our Plummer Senior Citizens meals site kitchen floor, which was in desperate need of repair. We rekindled Plummer, Idaho’s founding day celebration. We donated time and materials to repaint the Tensed, Idaho Senior Center. We brought in an alternative financial institution, Latah Federal Credit Union, to offer our residents options for financial management for personal or business resources. We began a music festival we call “Buffalo, Blues & Brews” that brings in much needed revenue for our local businesses and brings people from outside giving our area exposure to potential tourism dollars. We are working on other events that can help boost our sagging economy.

We are working toward urban renewal and brownfield reclamation to create areas for facilities for business growth to combat our high unemployment rate. We are working with tribal, city, and county governments to that end. We are working for sidewalks, crosswalks and playground equipment for our school children. Sustainable resources for our elderly are another goal. Many of our elderly are struggling and consistent senior meals along with a facility for them to gather and eat in are a priority.

No one in Pathways receives any pay or compensation. We are a totally volunteer organization. But we need help.

The bottom line is our small rural communities are dying along with the rich heritage that they offer. We are doing everything we can to halt this erosion of our communities. Please help us in our struggle to improve our communities by donating anything you feel comfortable with. Any help is much appreciated and will be put to good use.

Thank you!

Bill Weems

Founder & President

Pathways Community Development Corporation