Pathway Caring For Children

02/04/2026

Thank you to The Junkluggers of Akron-Canton for supporting Pathway kids and families! 🤝Through the end of March, they’re donating $10 per pickup to Pathway Caring For Children.

Need junk removed? Your pickup can help strengthen the lives of children and families in our community.

🔗 www.junkluggers.com/akron-canton/book-now/

Supporting our community is something we take seriously at The Junkluggers, and we’re proud to partner with organizations that make a real difference! 🤝

For every pickup scheduled now through the end of March, we’ll donate $10 to Pathway Caring For Children, a nonprofit agency that provides training and ongoing support for foster families.

Our goal is to raise at least $2,000, so book your pickup today and help us contribute to this important work!

🔗 www.junkluggers.com/akron-canton/book-now/
☎️ (330) 552-9108

02/03/2026

✨ Magic. Meaning. Impact. ✨Join us March 14, 2026 at Greystone Hall for An Evening of Magic & Meaning—an elegant dinner and auction benefiting Pathway Caring for Children.

🍽 Gourmet dinner & cocktails
🎩 Live magic by The Alans (featured on Penn & Teller)
💙 Support foster care, adoption, and mental health services for children & families across Northeast Ohio

Be part of a night that changes lives.
🔗 Learn more: https://one.bidpal.net/pathwayauction26/welcome

01/30/2026

As Mentoring Month comes to a close, we’re spotlighting Rebekah Dewitt, a dedicated Pathway YES mentor, and the why behind her passion.
Rebekah shared, “Mentoring was an answer to prayer for me. My heart's desire is to share love and light, and If I can make someone's day a little brighter, than that is what truly matters. Mentoring has connected my passions by being able to pour into young lives. Everyone needs some positivity, encouragement, and undivided attention, especially with all that these children are going through and facing daily. So I will sing the silly songs to get a smile, try new experiences with them and watch their eyes light up in wonder, play hide and go seek and go down all the slides to make them feel special. Anything to engage them to make the hours we spend together, happy ones.

My heart strings are always pulled when a teenager riding the Carousel says they never want to get off because they feel like a kid again (amidst the horrible situations she was enduring) with the biggest smile on her face. Or when another kid is thrilled, I brought my roller skates too, so we can skate together. And their joy is obvious. It's the best to see the smiles, hear their excitement, and just give them a little break from whatever is going through their minds/worlds. It fills me with joy too. I am so very grateful.

I am grateful every time one of the kids I mentor makes progress communicating with their caregiver more calmly, or tries the coping skills we talked about, or asks to help make care bags again with me for the homeless, or remarks that it was their best birthday in years because of how special we made it, or watching them calm down from upset feelings when I take them to a cat cafe because being around animals calms them, or when they start to listen the first time when asked, or seeing them set/achieve goals we talked about.....they are all tiny moments on the path of their own success story.”

Each moment is a step forward—each one part of a growing success story. Thank you, Rebekah, for your heart for Pathway children!💙

01/29/2026

2,134 lives impacted- children, teens, young adults, and families in our community experienced healing, stability, and hope through Pathway programs and services- over 300 more lives changed than in 2024!
Behind every number is a child who felt safe, a teen who felt seen, or a young adult stepping into independence.

Thank you for being part of the Pathway story and for helping children and families realize the possibilities of their lives.

Your Support in Action - What’s Next?
Pathway’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan sets bold goals to strengthen services for children and families across Northeast Ohio. Over these next years, we’ll focus on:

Financial Stability, Program Growth, Staff Development, Business Processes, & Community Partnerships.

Guided by community input, this plan ensures your support continues to create lasting hope, healing, and stability. Learn more HERE: https://www.pathwaycfc.org/about-pathway/2025-2027-strategic-plan/

01/27/2026

Lots of love in the air! 💕☕🍪Join us for February’s Second Saturday Behavioral Health Respite Group—Valentine-style! 💖

📅 Saturday, February 14th
⏰ 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jim Bridges Learning Center
1530 25th St NE, Canton, OH 44714

February’s activities include:
💌 A Valentine exchange
❤️ A heart-themed craft
🧵 Making friendship bracelets
🎬 Watching Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown

Have questions? Contact Lyndsay at (330) 818-0408.

If not enrolled, please call and we will walk you through the process to get your child connected to Pathway’s services.
*Must be OhioRISE eligible and able to enroll in Mental Health services at Pathway.

01/14/2026

A heartfelt thank you to students at Muraski Elementary of Strongsville City Schools! 🎉
Your generous donations—crayons, coloring books, fidget items, night lights, and more—will go straight to supporting children in foster care.

These items may seem small, but they bring comfort, creativity, and reassurance to children during challenging moments. We are so inspired by your kindness and willingness to help others at such a young age. 💛

01/13/2026

January is National Mentoring Month, celebrating the positive impact mentoring has on young lives. Pathway has a team of several dedicated Youth Engagement Specialists (YES’s) that act as encouragers and constant support systems for our children and teens.
YES’s may lend a listening ear, share their experiences, and offer guidance, or simply provide a fun activity to inspire growth, potential, and meaning in the lives of Pathway teens and children. Mentoring builds healthy, caring relationships through role modeling, and makes each child feel like they matter. Shout out to the Support Team -Lyndsay, Mark, Rebekah, Madelyn, Emily, Erin, and Michele - and all you do for Pathway children and teens!!

01/07/2026

✨ Feeling the After-Effects of the Holidays? You’re Not Alone. ✨

The holiday season can bring joy—but it can also bring stress, grief, and big emotions.

📅 January 13
⏰ 6:30–7:45 PM
📍 Green Library

Join Pathway Caring for Children and our Mental Health Director, Marcie Girdlestone, LPCC-S, for an engaging workshop designed to help families manage seasonal stress and reconnect after the holidays.

You’ll gain practical tools to:
💛 Reduce feelings of being overwhelmed
💛 Support your child’s emotional needs
💛 Strengthen connection through understanding and empathy
💛 Rediscover peace after the holiday season

📌 Register online, in person, or by phone: 330-896-9074

MORE INFO: https://akronlibrary.libnet.info/event/14926653

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year from Pathway Caring for Children! 🎉Offices are closed today and will resume normal business hours on Friday, January 2nd.
As we step into 2026, we’re filled with gratitude for YOU—our dedicated community of supporters, foster parents, donors, volunteers, and friends. Because of your kindness and generosity, over 2,100 children and families experienced hope, healing, and brighter days in 2025.
This year, let’s continue building a world where every child feels safe, valued, and loved. Together, we can make 2026 a year of even greater possibilities!
💛Wishing you a joyful, healthy, and meaningful New Year!

12/30/2025

As we look back on this year, one thing is clear: hope, healing, and connection begin with you. Give TODAY! https://givebutter.com/nodanceball25

Because of supporters and partners like you, 2,134 children and families across 14 Northeast Ohio counties found stability, safety, and the support they needed to move forward.

This year, together, you helped make possible:
✨ 136 children finding safety, care, and belonging in Pathway foster homes
✨ 25 children welcomed into forever families through adoption
✨ 60 young adults in our Bridges Program receiving coaching, housing support, and life-skills training as they stepped into independence
✨ 502 young children (birth–6) supported by Early Childhood Mental Health specialists during critical developmental years
✨ 40 teens experiencing healing and connection at TRUST Camp
✨ 27,811 mental health services provided to children and families
✨ 230 children and teens building resilience through prevention programs
✨ 75 volunteers giving 685 hours to remind children they are valued and loved

As the year comes to a close, your year-end gift can help even more children and families find safety, healing, and hope in the year ahead.

💙 Make your year-end gift today and be part of what’s possible.

[Give before December 31]

12/29/2025

Trust takes time—especially for children entering foster care.
Shared movies, music, and games can help break down walls, spark conversation, and build connection in gentle, meaningful ways. 🎬🎶🎲
At Pathway, we support families in creating safe spaces where healing begins through relationship. Read more HERE: https://www.pathwaycfc.org/blog/family-bonding-through-entertainment/

12/25/2025

Pathway offices are closed December 25th and December 26th. We will resume business hours on Monday, December 29th. We wish everyone a joyous holiday season!