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What We Do

Pathways Health Centre for Children is a family-centered community agency that serves Lambton County children and youth with physical, developmental and communication needs and their families, as well as adults for some specialized services. As a member of Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO), we provide a continuum of rehabilitation and support services in the community as well as an on-site integrated child care service, purchased clinical services, aquatics, and life-long learning services following the life needs model.

As the only therapeutic pool in Sarnia, we provide aquatic services to our clients, their families, and the community.

Our vision of supporting children, youth and young adults to achieve their potential through effective partnerships aren’t just words, we live it everyday at Pathways. Here is a peek into our life at Pathways and some of the most extraordinary clients.

Mission, Vision And Values

Our Mission:

Pathways Health Centre for Children will deliver defined services to children, youth and young adults with physical, developmental and communication needs, to help them achieve their potential for a better quality of life.

Our Vision:

Supporting children, youth and young adults to achieve their potential through effective partnerships.

We Value:

P

artnering with our clients, their families and our community.

A

dvocating for our clients.

R

especting the individuality, diversity and dignity of our clients, their families, our staff and volunteers.

T

eamwork.

N

urturing an inclusive community.

E

ducating in an open learning environment.

R

ecognizing the roles and contributions of our clients, their families, our staff and volunteers.

S

upporting opportunities that encourage health, well-being and self-esteem.

Strategic Plan

Our innovative strategic directions guide our progress towards our mission, vision and values.

Report To Our Community

We are pleased every year to present our Report to Our Community as a celebration of work accomplished by our staff, board, volunteers, clients and their families!

History

Incorporated in 1970, Pathways Health Centre for Children opened its doors in 1975 on its current site at Michigan and Murphy Roads in Sarnia, Ontario. Pathways has seen 3 name changes and several expansions, growing now to a staff of ~170.

The Rotary Club of Sarnia were among the original vision casters for the Centre, and remain strong supporters of the organization and the work that is done to help children and youth in Sarnia-Lambton. The Rotary Club of Sarnia Foundation continues to lease the land to the Centre at $1 per year.

Pathways is funded largely through the Ontario Government (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services) and the County of Lambton, but also relies on the generosity of donors.

As a provider of essential services, Pathways supports children of all ages, and their families, as they celebrate abilities and work through a range of physical, developmental and communication challenges.

Community of adults and children
Child in wheelchair with basketball
Child being hugged

Equity, Diversity And Inclusion (EDI)

Diverse Cartoon Children holding hands

For far too many people racism, discrimination and inequality are part of daily life. The spectrum is wide and the impact deep. This is unacceptable and these behaviours have no place in Pathways Health Centre for Children – nor in our community. We must act to support all people to be able to bring their whole selves to work and to services.

Through all levels of the organization, Pathways is working to adopt a lens of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). This commitment is a journey grounded in the desire to be a community where all people are accepted, celebrated, supported and engaged.

Through work by our Board of Directors and the Centre EDI committee, we are working to look for what we are not seeing, to guide efforts to support EDI for employees, clients, families, volunteers, community partners, and visitors. We are driven by an annual work plan with a focus on, but not limited to: learning through Truth & Reconciliation, building stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities and collaborating with First Nation partners in service planning and delivery; creating positive space in partnership with our LGBTQ2SIA community; and addressing and identifying systemic racism and how to dismantle it through reflection, education, open dialogue and policy change.

F Words

When working with Pathways staff, you may be invited to talk about our favourite words! These “F” words help us to focus on what is important to you and your child. Focussing on these areas will help us help you and your child make meaningful differences for today and tomorrow! With goals that are developed to address needs in Function, Fitness, Friends, Family, Future, and Fun, your team will help design an approach to move forward in partnership with you!

The “F” words were birthed from the research of Dr. Peter Rosenbaum and Dr. Jan Willem Gorter through CanChild and are being used to support the work of Children’s Treatment Centres across the province of Ontario.

CanChild's F-words Knowledge Hub

CanChild’s F-words Foundations Course is now available in French (https://fr.canchild-fwords.ca/) and English (https://canchild-fwords.ca/).

The F-words Foundations Course is a free, five module, self-paced online training course designed for families, health care providers, managers, community service providers, and educators. In this course, CanChild at McMaster University introduces the F-words for Child Development and provides guidance on how to use the approach in everyday life and practice. The F-words are brought to life through stories from youth, parents, health care providers and educators from Canada and 11 countries around the world!

Read the official announcement for more information:

Announcement_FwordsFoundationsCourse_August2023

Life Needs Model

Pathways’ service delivery approach reflects a Life Needs Model, with development and rehabilitation supports available to help the people of Sarnia-Lambton from birth through transition to adulthood. Some specialized services support adults through their senior years. The Life Needs Model considers an individual’s needs, required supports, and community resources available, to help kids be their best as they move through life transitions.