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Success Stories
Here at Pathways, we never lack for success stories!
Below are just a few of the hundreds of success stories we collect from our success coaches.
The Daniel Pfaff Pathways to Potential Leadership Award is presented annually to an MDHHS Pathways success coach, prevention worker, mentor or eligibility specialist who has demonstrated leadership, compassion and a willingness to go above and beyond to successfully and creatively remove barriers that have prevented a child or family from achieving their full potential. The efforts of the nominee has resulted in improved student attendance in the classroom and/or employment or increased self-sufficiency for a customer.
St. Clair County success coach helps secure $5,000 grant to improve school attendance
A St. Clair County Pathways to Potential success coach helped secure a $5,000 grant to provide incentives to increase attendance among elementary school students.
Drive through graduation
Ms. Byers (Wayne County Success Coach) last day physically working in her assigned P2P school (Henry Ford High School) ended early due to COVID-19.
A feeling of hope: Pathways coach maintains contact with clients during school closings
Kacie Williams is normally a school-based Pathways to Potential success coach, but even though schools are have been closed, she still offers a friendly face to her clients.
Flying high
MDHHS-hosted contests use plane rides, bikes to encourage students to attend class.
Pathways students in Detroit receive tablets for perfect attendance
Several Pathways to Potential students in Detroit recently received a great reward for perfect school attendance.
Munger Leads When Munger Reads
MDHHS is among the partners in this project to increase literacy at Munger Elementary School in Detroit, which is a Pathways to Potential school.
Pathways Students Receive a Special Field Trip For Good Attendance
Several Pathways to Potential students in Niles recently received a fun reward for perfect attendance.
A Beautiful Me: Pathways Students Learn About Self-Confidence, Inner Beauty
A Beautiful Me: Pathways Students Learn About Self-Confidence, Inner Beauty.
North Godwin Hosts Superhero-Themed Attendance Celebration
North Godwin Elementary School hosted a Superhero Themed attendance celebration.
Off the Beaten Path: Macomb County Students Learn Yoga, Tai Chi Through Pathways Efforts
Ann J. Kellogg School Puts the Pedal to the Medal Towards Attendance
Ann J. Kellogg School in Calhoun County held an end-of-the-year awards assembly where the students received a huge surprise.
Pathways coach organizes 'telethon' to boost student attendance and funding for Pontiac schools
Pathways to Potential reduces truancy at Kalkaska County school
The Pathways to Potential program is finishing its second year in Kalkaska County with significant success in reducing chronic truancy among students and engaging with families to remove barriers to learning.
Paws for Success
Church partners with school to host ice cream social for nearly 200 kids with great attendance
The idea of throwing an ice cream social to reward students for great attendance, or anything wonderful they do in late spring, is not unique. What makes the event at Lincoln Elementary in Warren in June 2015 a success story is the sheer number of students who qualified to participate. One-hundred and ninety-one students streamed through the sundae line to celebrate making it through the final marking period with less than two absences.
Stuff the Bus competition results in new school supplies for Kalamazoo County students
The 2015-16 school year marks the first in which two school districts in Kalamazoo County partnered with MDHHS’s Pathways to Potential program to host a Battle of the Buses. Judging from the results, this may become an annual event.
Church and non-profit partner with Warren high school to provide mentoring that keeps kids in school
When Dan Stewart, the director of the Warren Dream Center, received a Pathways to Potential flyer in the mail, he saw it as a call to action. “We’re always listening for needs in the community, so as a church we can make an impact,” said Stewart, who is also the pastor at the Woodside Bible Church in Warren.
Free Haircuts on Count Day Helps Success Coach Connect with Students and their Families
When Antionette Pearson, principal at Mary McCloud Bethune Elementary-Middle School in Detroit, told Kyle Williams about her strategy for getting boys to come to school on “count day” last February, he knew right away he could help.
Cops and doughnuts and…kids with great attendance!
Attendance celebrations can bring great joy to students who work hard to make it to school every day. Last month, I had the pleasure of attending a unique celebration for Mrs. Lynch’s fourth grade class at Coleman Elementary School where I serve as success coach.
Adopting Osborn High Schools Was No-Brainer for Area Church
When Lorraine Hurst, the community school coordinator for all three Osborn Academies, needed outerwear for students walking to school in freezing weather, she didn't hesitate to pick up the phone.
Homeless Student Graduates With Help From Pathways-School Team
Pathways to Potential Works with the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative to Increase Safety and Improve Attendance
Pathways to Potential staff are known for their perseverance, creative problem-solving and steadfast determination when it comes to busting barriers that prevent students from attending school. Addressing evictions, utility shut-offs and even the need for an alarm clock are all part of the job. However, the students at the three Osborn high school academies on the east side of Detroit present a challenge that's tougher to tackle - school safety.
Pathways Success Coach Gives Senior Laptop - And Hope Of Graduation
I first met 12th grader Destinee Waller and her mother at a morning meeting with school administrators. Destinee had been tardy three times that week, requiring a meeting with her parent. The assistant principal had informed me that Destinee had trouble with her attitude, which became obvious during the meeting.
$53,000 Donation by Michigan Prisoners Helps Keep Kids in School
"He who opens a school door, closes a prison." - Victor Hugo
No one knows this better than the 35 inmates who wrote letters to students attending Pathways to Potential schools across Michigan last spring. In fact, this quote was pulled from one of those letters.
Community Resource Fair Offered Opportunity to Connect with Parents
"The community fair was necessary because students aren't informed about the various resources that are available to them, so how can their parents be? It is my job as a representative of DHS to spread the word about resources that can enhance the progression of student learning, parent involvement, and staff participation," stated, Burton.
Smiles from Caseworkers Motivate Giving Tree Committee
The Giving Tree Committee at St. Ann's Church in Augusta, Michigan, turns their hearts and minds to children served by the Kalamazoo County DHS office starting the day after Halloween. They start that early because the small congregation fulfills the wishes of over 300 children.
Caring Success Coach and Committed Mother Go from Worker and Client to Co-workers
"The nice thing about having a worker at the school, is that it's so much more personable. If I had a question or concern about my case, I could just go in Ms. Leal's office and didn't need to make an appointment or wait for a long time," said, Garcia. She went on to explain that less stress makes clients easier to get along with which ultimately makes it easier for the worker.
Family Works with Pathways Staff to Overcome Obstacles and Keep Kids in School
"Nobody likes to ask for help but all we have is each other. We don't have parents and stuff like that. It's just him and me and the kids," said, Ms. Salan when asked about benefits of working with Pathways staff in the schools. "And, we have Ms. Perron," chimed in Mr. McLaren referring to the family's Pathways to Potential Eligibility Specialist, Caroline Perron.
Share Your Soles Foundation Partners with Pathways school to Pilot First U.S. Distribution of Boots for Kids
“They fit!” This was the exclamation heard over and over as delighted students tried on boots in a small room across from the cafeteria at Eisenhower Elementary in Flint, Michigan. The students had earned the boots by completing three hours of kindness.