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December 1st, 2004 I entered Pathway to Recovery. I had $80.00, a couple bags of clothes, and my guitar. I had been staying on and off the streets and at the Wheeler Mission. I was in a hopeless state and was totally oblivious to what was ailing me. The staff at Pathway was extremely empathetic and understood exactly what I needed. I needed help learning how to live.
Nobody in their right mind wants to stop drinking at the age of 22. I was no exception. Despite my friend's and family's foreboding, I believed my drinking was NOT a problem. I started drinking at the age of 17. For the next 5 years I would experience a very fast decline. I was arrested, incarcerated, hospitalized, institutionalized, and ultimately homeless. I was never able to hold a job, or pay bills. In fact, the idea of paying bills seemed crazy to me. It was clear that the world I existed in owed me. My behavior was deplorable, and I destroyed every relationship that existed in my life. My drinking and using was out of control. I remember waking up one day from a black out thinking, “I really can't stop.” These small miracles led to my surrender.
I began to follow the simple house rules. I was out of my room by 8 AM. (most of the time), made my bed, and went to work. When paid, I returned the money to the staff. The staff taught me how to pay my bills. I attended all meetings and counseling sessions required to live in the house. Both of my issues were addressed. I was an unsuccessful drinker and I had no idea how to live. Pathway helped me learn how to live without drinking and be a contributing member of society.
After living in the main house for six months I moved out into Pathway III. I had two amazing room mates who further helped me adjust to my new life. While in the main house I had been writing new songs on an old, green, broken, stand-up piano in the back room. Those songs later became my debut album titled, “Lost my faith”.
Today my life is a miracle. I have a job, I play music, and I'm highly involved in my 5-year-old son Aidan's life. I am grateful for the life Pathway to Recovery helped me regain. I do believe that others can have my experience if they follow a few simple rules and allow people that have had their same experiences guide them. Pathway to Recovery was the last house on the block for me, but quickly became the bedrock of my life.
God Bless,
Steven C. Cooley
Executive Director: Sandy Jeffers
Assistant Director: Ivy Clarice-Hogue
Resident Coordinator: Rebecca Payne
Memorial Tribute: Becky Payne 44, Indianapolis, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2009. She is survived by her son, grandsons, brothers, sisters, large family, and many friends. Becky was a long time staff member of Pathway, where she helped hundreds of clients turn their lives around. We will not be the same without her. Becky was also a devoted grandmother to her 3 grandsons. Her family was the joy of her life and we are eternally grateful to her son, Billy for sharing her life, and final days with Pathway. Becky would have been proud of him. Even though our hearts are broken, we cannot let the day we lost her become more important than the days we had her.
The Executive Director and Assistant Director have been with Pathway over 15 years, and the Resident Coordinator had been with Pathway over 10 years, when she suddenly passed away November of 2009. Several Pathway Board Members are original founders. Program graduates trained as “peer support specialists” help us carry out our mission. We think this speaks volumes about our innovativeness, our commitment, and our ability to stretch our budget and our skills
President:
Connie Thurman
International Representative UAW
Treasurer:
William Fatout
Attorney Private Practice
Vice-President:
James Trulock
Retired Legislative Team, UAW
Secretary:
Beth Luther
Compliance Officer National Labor Relations
Directors:
Terri Jablonski-Polk
Ivy Tech, Division Chairperson
Mark St. John
Principal, St. John & Associates
Doug Streiter
LCSW, Adult & Child Mental Health
Susan McHale
Supervisor, Healthy Families
Peggy Miller
Fiscal Service Director FSSA
Sara Pechous
Professor IUPUI
Janine Betsy
Executive Director, King Park CDC
John Rogers
Attorney, Rubin & Levin
Bob Rogers
Veterans Administration HUD/VASH Program Coordinator
Chance D.
Hey, my name is Chance and I have been at Pathway for over a year. I came here in pretty rough shape, all cut up and feeling lost from living on the streets. The luckiest day of my life was when I showed up at one of Pathway's apartment buildings and two residents showed me I didn’t have to live that way anymore. They took me to Pathway-I, where I got some medical attention and the staff invited me to stay and begin a recovery program. It hasn’t always been easy. There was that one slip when someone left the gate open and I relapsed on Milk Bone in the alley. Fortunately, Pathway gave me a second chance, and it’s been nothing but chew toys from here on out. Now, I work as program security. I tackle people headed toward the door. Staff tries to teach me that security is about keeping people out, not in, but I get confused. Either way, if you come by and I inadvertently tackle you, just know, it's part of my job.
Russel B.
Hello, my friends call me Russell. I came to Pathway near death. I was flying from city to city full of ego and thinking that the world revolved around me. My addiction finally knocked me off my perch and I was accepted here and began working the steps. The staff and the residents here stood by me when everyone else, including my family, flew south on me. I now feel much better inside and I can stand on my own two feet again (even when I sleep). I am physically healthier also. I have put on some weight and have the colors back in my face. During my free time, I love to sing, but I am still very shy in front of audiences.
Kim Stewart, a long time Pathway graduate passed away March 11, 2010. She had 14 years of sobriety and she was by far one of the most memorable individuals we ever encountered. Kim came to Pathway in 1996 and progressed through the programs until she got her own apartment at Pathway-IV where she lived for 9 years. Her apartment would have given Walt Disney a run for his money; with stars on the ceiling, plastic dinosaurs, inflatable whales, and outer space memorabilia throughout, Kim transformed her one bedroom home into an amusement park. Laughter was her price of admission and we will miss her terribly.
Some may not know that Kim was a prominent member of The Jumping Mouse Players, a traveling group of actors and actresses with learning, physical, or developmental disabilities, who explored what it meant to be viewed as "disabled" or "different" through skits, improv, and music. Suzi Moore Fenton was the former Director of The Jumping Mouse Players during Kim's "rise to stardom". The following is an excerpt from Suzi's Memorial Tribute to Kim~
There are people who come and go in your life….many of them memorable for various reasons…they leave their mark on you and become a part of you…..
And then there are the souls who God puts into your life to leave a lasting impression and help- mold the best part of you. This is why Kim was placed in this world. She was not of this world….but one of her own …full of love and joy and heartfelt compassion.
Everyone loved Kim and it wasn’t just because she was funny and witty and intelligent and beautiful and talented….it was because her spirit was anointed. She overcame obstacles with joy and perseverance and pressed on…..and she had a sense of humor that melted your heart.
She was one of our top actors with Jumping Mouse Players. We relied heavily on Kim. Not only did she memorize well but she performed with such ease and charisma. She had natural talent and didn’t fear performing. It was in her blood. She gave testimony about her life and her struggles with birth defects, alcoholism, physical issues and criticism from the world and she never allowed pride to enter into her testimony. It was important to her to let others know of her trials so they could get beyond their own…this was her ministry and her passion.
Kim never lost hope. She never lost faith. She never forgot a friend. Her spirit was and is still strong. She is lighting up heaven this very minute I have no doubt.
The next time you look up into a starry night… whisper a prayer to God for Kim and blow her a kiss….I have a feeling a star will twinkle one back.
