The Pathways program is free of charge to eligible youth and their families.
Pathways’ target population is youth ages 6-13 from Flagstaff Unified School District Elementary and Middle Schools. The project purpose is to deliver a comprehensive program based around positive mentoring and alcohol substance abuse prevention services for Native American youth and their families. Pathways is the only afterschool program for Urban Native American youth in the Flagstaff community, and all activities are delivered within a Native cultural framework. Pathways is an award-winning program and was recognized as the 2014 Outstanding Out-of-School Time program by the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence.
Pathways offers afterschool and some weekend activities that promote self-esteem, educational enrichment, physical fitness, traditional practices, and cultural values. Mentoring sessions are delivered within a culturally relevant framework and incorporate teachings around the art of weaving, understanding traditional foods, running camp, and storytelling. To address the substance use risk factor of “out of school time,” youth and families are supported during the summer months through a five-week summer camp program, and a school year program that operates in conjunction with the local school district calendar.
Families are an integral component of Indigenous life. Therefore, Pathways also strives to improve the child’s family functioning via teaching parenting skills, self-help skills, improving family communication, and advocacy for the child and family. All families are assessed for strengths and challenges. Assessments are coordinated by utilizing an evidence-based home visiting curriculum, The Family Check-Up. The Family Check-Up enables the family to develop or refine the skills needed regarding the prevention of substance use. Most needs are addressed through NACA’s extensive organizational services, or through referrals to other NACA partners in the city of Flagstaff.
The program’s outcome is to increase resiliency in youth as measured through the Self-Worth, Adult Interaction, Coping and Connection (SWAICC) survey. This survey is also used by NACA’s Reach Ur Life Suicide Prevention program. Resiliency is promoted within Pathways by supporting students’ schoolwork, providing enrichment activities, creating exposure to healthy life options, learning Navajo and Hopi languages, and supporting an understanding and appreciation of their Indigenous cultures. The objectives of the Pathways program are as follows:
Objective 1: Increase resiliency (self-esteem, positive decision-making, conflict resolution, education around substance abuse, holistic view on healthy living and communication skills) in Native American children residing in the Flagstaff area who are at risk for substance abuse behaviors.
Objective 2: Improve physical well-being of participants in an effort to reduce the risk of potential substance use.
Objective 3: Improve family functioning via teaching parenting skills, self-help skills, improving family communication, and advocacy for the child and family.
Objective 4: Optimize families’ service and opportunities through extensive networking with various community agencies.
The Pathways program is free of charge to eligible youth and their families. Families from the Flagstaff area who are interested in enrolling their child(ren) in Pathways may contact Kateri Williams, the Pathways Program coordinator, for details. Williams can be reached at kwilliams@nacainc.org.
NACA has seen a significant decrease in participation in Pathways because of site unavailability within FUSD schools, as well as the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program takes place Monday through Thursday, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. (MST), at Puente de Hózhó Elementary School. In the past year, Pathways hosted events such as a Truth and Reconciliation Remembrance Walk, a Family BBQ, and Halloween Pumpkin Painting. Pathways also participated in events such as the Reach Ur Life (RUL) Suicide Prevention Walk, and RUL Pronoun Pin Beading.
Pathways also is in need of volunteers to help with the students. Volunteers must have a fingerprint clearance card and experience working with children. Experience with Native American communities is preferred. Volunteers will help the program coordinator maintain the program’s curriculum, provide cultural and academic support, and help plan events. To apply to be a volunteer with Pathways, visit the NACA Careers page at https://nacainc.org/about/careers-volunteer-opportunities/. FBN
By Almalia Berrios-Payton
Almalia Berrios-Payton is the marketing and public relations officer for NACA. Almalía Berríos-Payton is the marketing and public relations officer for Native Americans for Community Action and a member of the Lenca and Pipil tribes from El Salvador. Berríos-Payton earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and strategic communications at Northern Arizona University and can be reached at almaliabp@nacainc.org.
NACA’s Family Health Center currently offers the seasonal flu vaccine, the COVID-19 Moderna and Pfizer primary vaccines, and the COVID-19 bivalent booster. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 928-773-1245.
