HELPING STUDENTS FIND THEIR
PLACE | PASSION | PURPOSE
The Pathways program is the flagship program of the Pro Deo Foundation. The program was born out of a strong desire to help students flourish in life. While we see the value of traditional after school programs, we wanted to create something that was different from most youth oriented programs that currently exist.
Pathways gives middle and high school students hands-on experience running businesses in teams by creating handmade products they make in our program space and sell online or in our pop up shops . Students who participate will be able to earn scholarships from the products their team produces and sells.
Pathways participants are accompanied by mentors who guide them in making saleable products and the necessary business skills to help students learn the business. Pathways is designed to teach more skills as students progress.
Participants in the Pathways program will have access, as needed and desired, to additional services including mentoring, tutoring, mental health, college prep, spiritual care, social health, financial guidance, and more. We are committed to helping the whole student.
THE PATHWAYS ROADMAP
Pathways is Progressive
The Pathways program is designed to be progressive, meaning that as students participate in the program, they will continue to learn and master new skills. Program directors and managers will need to track where students are in the program and encourage the next steps in their progress to advance through their current phase and into the next one. It is important to note that you might have a group of students at different stages in the program, and it will be the director's job to create program appropriate opportunities for students that match their current phase.
The progressiveness of Pathways is an essential aspect of the program. One of the key ways students bond to the program and adopt the desired behaviors and attitudes is through progressive skill development appropriate to where students are in the program.
Pathways Phases
Phase I-Work: The focus of Phase I is to teach students the skills necessary to be productive employees. While we do not want students to see themselves as employees of Pathways or our stores, we do, however, want them to learn the skills needed to be good employees.
Phase II-Ownership: The focus of Phase II is on business training and giving students ownership in various aspects of the business and program. During this phase, we want students to begin to see themselves as owners of the business and therefore learn and practice the basic skills necessary to keep production and sales moving forward.
Phase III-Launch: The final Pathways phase seeks to launch students into the next steps of their lives. In this phase, students learn and practice the most complex skills we teach. The skills we teach in this phase are less about making products and more about leadership, management, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills. Phase III is the phase we would help those students to launch their own businesses if they desired.
🎯Phase I-III Targets and Outcomes
Each phase of the Pathways program has targets and outcomes. These are the skills, ideas, concepts, and actions that we want students to know and do as they progress through the program. Some students may have different needs and program managers and directors should assess what gaps exist and take the steps to provide their students with the necessary skills and learning needed.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The Pathways program has a clearly laid out roadmap for students to progress through. However, not every student will progress at the same pace. Some students may be comfortable staying in Phase I and will need encouragement to keep learning and growing. Some students may progress quickly, and some more slowly. It is vital that program directors and managers know where each student is in their progress and look for ways that fit each student to encourage them to hit their next phase.
We currently run Pathways in San Clemente, CA