When Pathways started, there were only 7 students and two employees without a job guarantee within 6 months due to not knowing what the program’s outcome could be. Thankfully the program rapidly grew into a bigger dream than anyone could have imagined. Today Pathways serves over 60 students and has become its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our amazing program was founded in June 2009 thanks to the help and direction of Crystal Fulda, and the support of the Kirk of the Hills church. Crystal was inspired to start Pathways by visiting Rainbow Acres in Arizona, a housing Christian program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. From there, God began to plant seeds in her heart, and she wanted to see a program similar to it in Tulsa. She brought this idea to the Kirk church and then surveyed the community to find out if this is something they would be interested in, and the response back was overwhelmingly positive. When deciding what the program should be named, Dora Durland, a Pathways parent, had input with what the name should be. Dora shared, “I felt a comprehensive umbrella of services fit with the name Pathways. Paths are different for our children. But planned out paths are needed! And would be welcomed when a parent would have a child in future years to know there was hope always and a path and direction. The bible verse speaks to me, and I reference it a lot is Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Our heart is to continue making a path of hope for generations to come, and we look forward to also reaching students virtually worldwide. We are eternally grateful for this life-giving program that has imprinted our hearts with joy, laughter, and a lot of enriching learning along the way. Thank you for making Pathways possible!
We would also like to thank and acknowledge the 2009 committee, and the first two Pathways hires Amy Shackelford and Amy Poss, who helped our program get started and become what it is today.
Thank you to our amazing committee members:
Barry Fulda
Crystal Fulda
Dora Durland
Everett Stallcop
George Herteinsteiner
Jeanette Easterling
Liz Reece
Melanie Trump
Mike Simmonds
Sharon Bentley
Sherilyn Walton
Stacy Turnupseed
