dancers at Anne Arundel THE PATHFINDER

May, 2015

NEWSLETTER OF THE PATHWAYS SCHOOLS/CROSSWOOD, INC.

Visit us at

www.pathwayschools.org

The Pathways Schools is a founding member of The Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health (MCF), which this month is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and our staff have been active on its board ever since. Currently Pathways Clinical Coordinator Trudy Portewig serves as Vice President. The luncheon to celebrate MCF's 15 years was timed with Children's Mental Health Awareness Week May 3-7, an annual campaign launched by MCF seven years ago to raise public awareness of the importance of children's mental health and to help connect families with resources. The Pathways Schools is a Campaign Partner and a School Champion of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week.

Young Entrepreneurship Luncheon

Eight years ago an experimental program began at The Pathways School-Edgewood to encourage young people to think of their futures in terms of entrepreneurship and career rather than low-wage work in an unfulfilling job. That small pilot project has grown from a handful of students at a single site to having nearly 20 participants from all the Pathways Schools. It has garnered the support of local businesses, corporations, and community leaders and year after year has impressed many at its annual award luncheon.

The Young Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) uses a hands-on approach based on a curriculum designed by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) to take students step by step through the process of beginning and operating a business. Taught by actual business professionals from the community, YEP inspires students by example. Most of the course takes place in the community, offering small group activities, field trips, and guest speakers. This year, for example, students made a trip to The G Shop, a fashion boutique and clothing store owned and operated by Giovanna Taylor in Bowie; as well as visiting Teach 'Em to Fish, a free training program for aspiring barbers and salon owners.

The annual luncheon is a time for networking as well as a moment to recognize the students who completed the 12-week Young Entrepreneurship Program. At this year's luncheon, Maryland Deputy Secretary of State Luis Borunda planned to be on hand to congratulate the students and present their awards. Borunda also serves as president, chief executive officer, and founder of U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education, a Baltimore nonprofit that introduces high school students to career options as well as entrepreneurship. Borunda wrote to Pathways Career Path Program Coordinator Anthony Hamm on the evening before the luncheon regretting that he was unable to attend since the Governor had requested his assistance with the situation in Baltimore. He included these encouraging words to the students, read by Dr. DuBeau at the luncheon:

It is extremely important for you to know that the future is in your hands....don't limit your thinking to just getting a job! Think about creating jobs for others through entrepreneurship. Think about starting your own business! Starting your own business is an alternative path to employment when a job may be hard to find.

Borunda's advice was echoed by the keynote speaker, Giovanna Taylor, who inspired the students and adults present by sharing her story. At the height of a successful career as the first African American senior vice president of one of the largest banks in the country, Ms. Taylor lost her job during the financial collapse. A former model, she used her innate fashion sense and business experience to develop an idea for her own boutique. She now is the owner and operator of two clothing stores, providing a satisfying career for herself and opportunities for others.

YEP's co-founders Charlie Grant and Kevin Logan presented the students with the medallions signifying their completion of the program. In 2008 and since, Anthony Hamm worked with Kevin Logan and Charlie Grant to tailor the YEP course to Pathways students. The result is a course that has been particularly effective for our students. This year's class of 18 students was the largest in the program's history at Pathways, with every site represented.

YEP participants and sponsors at the luncheon.

Mindfulness: a help to all

For several years Pathways therapists and students have been using mindfulness techniques to increase focus and relieve stress. Groups have often begun with a few minutes of breathing exercises before going on to the day's discussion topic. This year, the therapists really explored the potential benefits of mindfulness and the range of activities that can be used to promote it.

Mindfulness is much more than a breathing or meditation practice. Scientists have studied how mindfulness activities affect the brain and impact areas that influence depression, ADHD, and pain perception. A variety of activities, including yoga, handcrafts, and walking can promote mindfulness and be used to decrease anxiety and promote concentration and retention.

Throughout the year, Pathways therapists increased their understanding of the many possibilities of mindfulness in professional development meetings and used that experience and knowledge to encourage the students. For example, at Pathways-DuVal, therapists made stress balls

Displaying a
relaxation jar

and relaxation jars with students. At Northwood, therapists engaged students in movement games and dance exercises. A student at Pathways-Edgewood explored mindful eating as a way to improve her health. Another, at Pathways-Crossland Re-Entry, used a technique she learned via video to practice one-minute meditation. The Anne Arundel program held its annual retreat for students, staff, and families on the topic of mindfulness, bringing in a keynote speaker and retreat leader to enrich the experience. The result was a year in which therapists and students alike added a new dimension to their ability to cope with stresses both large and small and increased their skill set for maintaining calm attention and focus, which was and remains helpful to all.

Pathways' Young Adults Involved in Discussions to Foster Systemic Change

Earlier this school year, three alumni of The Pathways School-Anne Arundel and one current student sat down with two staff from the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health (MCF) to talk about "What Helps/What Harms" in education, mental health, and other service systems within the state of Maryland. "What Helps/What Harms" is a project of Taking Flight, the Youth Council for the MCF. The idea is to have young adults analyze their experience with service systems by answering a simple question, "In the systems you have been involved with, what about its set-up, services, and service delivery has helped you move forward into adulthood and your recovery? What has harmed you or created barriers for you? What changes would you make that would benefit you and others in reaching your personal goals?" These discussions are being held throughout the state of Maryland. The hope is to use the information obtained during these groups to leverage the young adult voice and include its insight into policy and service planning for Maryland service systems.

The report from the MCF facilitator for the Pathways group was that the participants were "....fabulous! They were such a well-spoken group and really had such insightful suggestions. They had some great things to say about your school as well, and ...their composure and maturity is a testament to the work that you are doing at Pathways!"

For their part, the Pathways alumni and student came away feeling positive about their participation and empowered by the experience.