With a vision that communities will welcome all people, the Pathfinder Network is a gateway to second chances. It provides essential support in the community and at numerous venues in the justice system.
The nonprofit organization, founded in 1993, paves the way for those needing another chance by providing justice system impacted individuals with the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. “We are based in the Portland Metro area with program sites statewide,” says Leticia Longoria-Navarro, executive director of the Pathfinder Network. “Each year we serve 3,000 individuals experiencing incarceration, those reentering the community, those on community supervision, their families and their children.” Programs are offered at the Center for Family Success in Multnomah County, 11 of Oregon’s 14 correctional facilities, Marion County Parole and Probation, Transition Center and Jail. Other points for service include Jackson County Community Justice, the Collaborative, and Parkside Place.
The Pathfinder Network Creates Tailored Programs That Lead to Change
“Systems-impacted people,” says Longoria-Navarro, “are coping with trauma, behavioral health impacts, physical health impacts, changes in their relationships with families, financial instability, and more.”
Having partnered with the Oregon Department of Corrections since 1993, the Pathfinder Network strives to provide evidence-based, cutting-edge programming focused on rehabilitation and reducing rates of reoffenders. Among featured offerings, the Free Your Mind program was designed specifically to counteract isolation to people in special prison housing settings. “We focus on the development of key emotional regulation,” says Longoria-Navarro, “and social skills to help them cope and prepare for success back in the general population and in the community when they are released.”
Beyond addressing the issue of isolation, the Pathfinder Network delivers a healing, restorative, and empowering impact on those it serves. “These [individuals] are among some of the most in need and face the most inequities,” explains Longoria-Navarro. “By meeting people right where they are and supporting an inclusive and empowering environment, we aim to provide a space for all voices to be heard and uplifted, where our participants are empowered to drive their health and healing and see their role in the positive outcomes.”
Dedicated Teamwork Illuminates Success
“Everyone is so engaged in the work that they are doing, and it shows in the impact that we make on those we serve,” adds Chad Marting, board co-chair at the Pathfinder Network. Marting is also a vice president of commercial banking for Bank of the Pacific. The bank’s mission – to be the best bank for employees, customers, investors and to lift others in our communities – aligns with the vision of the Pathfinder Network. “The Pathfinder Network,” says Marting, “is dynamic, thoughtful and strategically positioned to grow and serve more of those in need with the wraparound support that we offer.”
The vast array of wraparound support features comprehensive and evidence-based trauma and gender responsive parenting and cognitive behavioral programs designed to generate lasting change. These programs include Parenting Inside and Out, Caring Dads, a 17-week child abuse prevention violence intervention, Healing Trauma for Women and Building Resilience for Men.
“Parenting Inside and Out is a cognitive behavioral parenting skills program designed for criminal justice involved parents,” says Longoria-Navarro. “It provides tools and skills to support parental, child and family resilience and foster family connections that lead to positive outcomes for the whole family.”
Additional programs include Family Advocacy, Peer Mentoring and Mentoring Inside Out, which supports youth ages seven to 18 from justice system and/or DHS child welfare system impacted families. Mentoring Inside Out further supports the Early Childhood Home Visiting Program providing support to parents with systems involvement who have children age six and younger with early childhood enrichment, development and health. Arts activities get a place on the program menu too.
“The PATHfinder Club provides an arts-based afterschool club in high schools,” shares Longoria-Navarro, “where youth affected by incarceration, deportation and detention can connect and support one another, build resilience and express themselves to inspire meaningful growth and change in themselves, each other and in the community.”
Contracting with the Oregon Department of Corrections and Other Expansions
For more than 30 years, the Pathfinder Network has expanded from early work as a contractor with the Oregon Department of Corrections facilitating cognitive behavioral programming to an agency offering multifaceted programs in correctional facilities and communities across Oregon.
“We have continued to expand our involvement with the justice system to reach more people in need of services, including Parole and Probation and Juvenile Justice,” explains Longoria-Navarro. “We are proud of the expansive services we now provide to reach individuals and families at every point in the criminal justice system.”
Developing peer services through the Recovery and Resilience Project program in Multnomah County is among notable programming expansion efforts. Other growth includes programming for juveniles involved in the justice system in Clackamas and Jackson counties. “This past year,” shares Longoria-Navarro, “we served our greatest numbers yet with 3,884 program participants across the state, including 373 youth in our direct-service programs.”
The Pathfinder Network’s Future Growth
A primary objective for the Pathfinder Network over the next several years is to serve more youth. Preventative programs for youth great opportunities to support successful pathways to thriving adulthood and reduce or eliminate future systems-involvement.
“Specifically, we plan to bring the PATHfinder Club model to the Center for Family Success in Northeast Portland as well as Jackson County in partnership with Juvenile Justice and within the community setting in Jackson County,” says Longoria-Navarro. “A recent grant will help us to bring the PATHfinder Club model to youth on probation in Multnomah County.”
The Pathfinder Network is committed to walking alongside its program participants every step of the way. It really is a gateway to second chances. “I am proud to be involved with the Pathfinder Network for many reasons,” says Marting. “The staff and board are wonderful, smart people who live and breathe the Pathfinder Network’s mission and values like nothing I have ever seen—I learn something every time I am in their company.”
For more information, visit the Pathfinder Network website.
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