Welcome to Pathways Studio

Pathways Studio (NPO: 042/851 Article 18 A (SARS): 930016631) is a non-profit organisation established in 2002 in response to the critical need for the training of disabled young people in South Africa.

Pathways Studio is part of Pathways-Pta and is registered as a non-profit organization (NPO) with the South African Department of Social Development and as a public benefit organization (PBO) and with the South African Revenue Services and as such enjoys section 18a Tax Exempt status.

In contrast with existing programmes for the mentally and physically disabled who believe that disabled people will never be able to work, and should somehow simply be kept occupied, physically and mentally challenged adults undergo intensive life-skills training at Pathway Studio. This training may enable them to lead more independent lives so that they may even become able to be employed in the open labour market.

Our vision is to help these young people to become fully included within the community and to become contributing members of society. Presently the centre serves 32 young adults with varied needs.

A staff consisting of the team leader who is a specialist in autistic spectrum disorders, a consulting occupational therapist, an alternative and augmentative communication specialist, skilled support staff, and a small business coordinator provide services to these young differently-abled young people.

Every young adult has an individualised program based on their very unique abilities and challenges.

Our dedicated staff consists of ........

  • a consulting Occupational Therapist;
  • an Alternative and Augmentative Communication specialist;
  • the team leader who is a specialist in Autistic Spectrum Disorders;
  • skilled support staff, and
  • a Small Business Coordinator.

Our mission............

  • seeking employment for individuals with various disabilities
  • training life skills
  • establishing semi-independant living options
  • creating social or lesuire oppertunities

URGENT APPEAL FOR FUNDING TO PURCHASE OUR PREMISES

After having operated from a garage for nearly 10 years, we recently moved into more spacious premises at the corner of Vincent and Witdoring Streets, Moreleta Park, where we now have the facilities to train up to thirty five adults at a time. We have recently been given the opportunity to purchase the premises. This will become a very valuable asset to Pathway Studio, and ownership is extremely important for the long-term planning and development of the project.

Purchasing the house is our most urgent need. We have recently learned that the house which we are currently using as a training studio and workshop for our disabled young people is to be auctioned in August 2011. Pathways Studio urgently needs R1 350,000 (including transfer fees and registration costs) to purchase the house. The house is on a 1,000 square metre stand and consists of 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a double garage serving as workshop and two offices. The premises is ideally suited to the needs of our participants and staff and is centrally located.

If Pathways is not able to buy the house the project will have to close down within a few weeks. Closing the project will be devastating to the young differently-abled participants since they have nowhere else to go for training. Please contact us if you are able to help us. A visit to our premises could be arranged. Since we receive no subsidy from the government, we have to raise the funds we need ourselves.

Pathways Studio depends on the generosity of people like you to fund our work with differently-abled adults. Thanks to the generosity of companies like yours the first Pathways Studio house for semi-independent living is nearing completion.

We thank you in advance for your consideration and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information you may need. We trust that our request for financial assistance will meet with your favourable consideration.