MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome, 2024!! Many people take time at the end of the year or the beginning of the year to set goals. Here at Community Pathways (CPI), it's no different. We use this time of year to reflect on some of the work we accomplished and set new goals for the new year. This past year at Community Pathways, we did a lot of work towards making services more inclusive. We established a service equity plan in which we set a number of goals. A couple of the biggest goals included creating a diversity, equity and inclusion group, and making sure our documentation is translated into peoples’ preferred languages. We are still working to get our website fully translated. We also redesigned our review forms and processes, updated our employee handbook, expanded our office space to accommodate new staff, increased staff compensation and started holding events at the CPI offices again. In 2024, we will continue work on goals in several areas, which include moving all of our filing to a digital format and expanding our knowledge on inclusion, diversity, equity, to name a few. We are also looking to expand our board membership. Specifically, we are seeking someone with a financial background - having experience as a family member of someone with a disability is always appreciated. In addition, we always want to hear from customers who may be interested in joining our board. For more information, please contact me through our info@communitypath.org email or call our main office.

The new year is more than just changing the calendar and setting goals is more than creating a "to-do" or "task" list. Setting goals is about accomplishing something in your life for a purpose. Goals don't have to be "big". Goals can be small things that you want to accomplish, or they can be small steps towards a bigger goal. The most important thing is that it feels right for you and that you feel good about taking steps towards it. It's more than a 'resolution'. It's an intention towards your future.

While reflecting on the past and setting goals for the future, let's remember the importance of living in the present moment. Life is a collection of moments, and each moment offers a chance to find beauty, be present with loved ones, and savor the simple joys that surround us.

Take a deep breath, embrace the present with an open heart, and remember that every day is an opportunity for something new.

All of us at Community Pathways wish you a very Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Santiago, Executive Director

Annual CPI Customer Satisfaction Survey

Every year Community Pathways sends out a customer satisfaction survey to everyone supported by our program. This year’s survey will be sent out in January and we’ve made a number of changes that we hope will make the survey even easier to fill out. We encourage people to take time to complete the survey because it gives us valuable feedback on how we are doing and how we can improve.

If you are one of our customers and you need support to complete the survey, you can ask a friend, family member, or another trusted individual.

The survey is anonymous, but we do collect data on which Personal Agent supports the person completing the survey so that we can provide general feedback to them. We will include a self-addressed stamped envelope so that the survey can be returned to CPI at no cost to you. Please return the survey by March 1, 2024.

PA Profile: Sophie Samuel

Can you tell us about your journey with the I/DD field?

I have always felt most fulfilled when I am of service to people. After graduating with a degree in psychology, I saw a job listing for a residential coordinator position at a supported living agency assisting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently in their homes. I had never worked in the field before, but felt drawn to the opportunity to help people who might not always feel as safe and supported as they deserve to. I feel that human connection is important on all levels, and working in this field has expanded my awareness and understanding of the variety of experiences that people face. During my time in this position, I became familiar with navigating the I/DD support system and the many barriers that people encounter. I grew passionate about helping people reach their goals and working with them to find creative solutions to life’s many challenges. The experience I gained from the years I spent doing this job became a stepping stone for me to continue in this field and led me to my current position at Community Pathways. I love witnessing people’s journeys and getting to collaborate with them and be part of their support networks to help them gain access to the services, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive.

What are you looking forward to most in the new year?

I’m looking forward to spending some cozy time indoors this winter with my partner and our new kitty. I’m envisioning lighting the fireplace and sitting on the couch watching a good show while eating a home cooked meal together. I’d also like to do some knitting. I’m not very good at it but I find it really fun and relaxing and think it would be cool to improve my skills. Maybe I’ll make my cat an ugly Christmas sweater, although I don’t know if she’d find that as amusing as I would.

What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?

I love to try new foods and check out different restaurants and food carts in town. One of my current favorite spots is a vegetarian Chinese food cart called Uncle Tsang’s Kitchen. Everything I’ve tried there so far has been amazing. I also love spending time outside experiencing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and really enjoy hiking and going for scenic drives. My favorite thing to do in the summer is to go kayaking at Lost Lake near Mount Hood, it’s my total happy place. Another favorite pastime is making art, and I am especially fond of watercolor. Sometimes I take online classes from a little watercolor shop based in San Francisco.

If you could bring three things to a deserted island besides food and water what would you bring and why?

Definitely a kayak so that I could explore the waters around the island, some sort of music player so I could listen to my favorite songs, and also a box of art supplies so that I could paint the scenery around me.

What is one non work related goal you’d like to achieve this year?

I’d like to start meditating more often. I am inspired by the concept of finding an inner sense of peace when things get chaotic in the outside world. I always feel more grounded when I allow myself the space for this, and I’d like to do it more often.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

TOY AND JOY EVENT - DECEMBER 16

It’s an annual CPI tradition! For over 6 years our fearless Toy and Joy leader Arlen Bynum, has organized a group of CPI staff member volunteers to participate in the annual Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee (IDDAC) Holiday Toy and Joy delivery event! CPI customers signed up for toy or food boxes, which were delivered by Arlen’s team of CPI volunteers on Saturday, December 16. This was a record year for us! Over 40 of CPI’s customers requested food or toy boxes and we were able to deliver all of them! Each food box contained a frozen turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, bread, butter, and a bag of satsumas. As always, it was a pleasure to see those of you who participated and we’re already looking forward to next year’s Toy and Joy event!

SPECIAL OLYMPICS POLAR PLUNGE 2024 - February 24

Linda Peck Athens tells us about her participation in the Polar Plunge in honor of Katie Dunn

Terisa: So this is your sixth Polar Plunge, Linda. I know it involves jumping into seriously cold water to raise funds for Special Olympics, but I’m sure there’s much more to it than that.

Linda: The Polar Plunge is the biggest annual fundraising event for the Special Olympics Oregon. Each participant commits to raising $50. You can do it as an individual or on a team. People wear costumes – two years ago I was a unicorn. This year I’ll be wearing purple in honor of Katie. The money provides over 5,000 Special Olympics Oregon athletes year-round access to sports equipment, coaches, transportation, organized competitions, and a community of athletes. It’s a great program.

Terisa: I know you’re dedicating your fundraiser to Katie Dunn this year. Can you tell us about that?

Linda: Katie was a wonderful friend who we recently lost. She was a Special Olympian for over 40 years. Participating in sports was such an important part of her life. She played softball, volleyball, and did weight lifting. She even competed in national tournaments! Did you know she was on the Special Olympics Board?

Terisa: Wow! No, I didn’t! I’m relatively new, Katie retired from CPI shortly after I started. She is CPI’s very first retiree! I learned more about her when the leadership team created the SMILE award in Katie’s honor! For our readers, every year we take a vote and present the award to a staff member whose positive attitude and enthusiasm has supported a welcoming and inclusive work environment at CPI. Olivia won the award last year, which was perfect. I’ll include a photo of it.

Terisa: How is your fundraising going so far? You’re doing the Portland Polar Plunge on Feb 24 right?

Linda: Yes. My goal for this year was $2,000 but I’ve already had to raise my goal twice! My new goal is $3,000.

Terisa: That’s fantastic! How can people support you in raising funds for Special Olympics?

Linda: People can help me support Special Olympics Oregon, and one of Katie's passions, by making a donation through the Special Olympics Oregon page here https://support.soor.org/4Katie. The process is fast, easy and secure. Thanks so much for your support... and please don't forget to send this page to any friends you think might be interested in donating!

Terisa: Thank you, Linda! You are amazing!

Linda: Katie was amazing! And so is this program!

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

OREGON COMMUNITY BROKERAGES

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY BASICS - JANUARY 17

ODDS VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSIONS - January 18

The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) invites you to meet with them at virtual listening sessions in January. They welcome your feedback and experiences. They will host three meetings Jan. 18 on Zoom. All members of the community are welcome to attend two of the meetings. The third meeting is for personal support workers (PSWs) and direct support professionals (DSPs).

These meetings are part of their larger series of statewide community listening sessions. This series will last into early 2025. The January 2024 meetings are virtual, so all may attend. They will resume in-person meetings across the state in April.