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Since 1975, Pathlights has been guiding adults 60 and older, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, families and friends along their best path to aging by providing resources, advocacy, programs and services needed to live with independence and dignity in the community.
“Celebrating 50 years is a testament to Pathlights’ unwavering commitment to empowering older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers in our community,” Elaine Grande, executive director of Pathlights, said. “Together, with our partners, staff, volunteers, supporters and communities, we have built a legacy of service. This anniversary celebrates all that has been achieved as a united community committed to empowering individuals as they age.”
Grande said the 50-year milestone is a time to honor the countless lives Pathlights has touched, reflect on its roots, focus on the changes that have taken place and look forward to the future.
In 1975, a small group of forward-thinking leaders in the southwest suburbs joined forces to bridge the community resource and support gaps for older adults.
PLOWS Council on Aging was created to serve clients throughout Palos, Lemont, Orland, Worth and Stickney townships, accessing newly available federal funds to meet the needs of older people. It has since expanded into Bremen and Rich townships.
Now called Pathlights, the organization has guided older adults through the aging process for five decades, helping people stay in their homes as long as possible by providing access to care, food and safety.
Pathlights serves as a lifeline for individuals and families navigating aging, disability and caregiving challenges. The organization connects people to essential resources and programs that empower them to live with dignity and independence. Over the past five decades, Pathlights has evolved alongside its communities, continually adapting to meet changing needs.
As societal and family dynamics shift, Pathlights has remained committed to ensuring that everyone can access essential home and community-based supports and services needed to age in place.
“Pathlights helps our older adults to continue to live independently,” Evergreen Park Mayor Kelly Burke said. “Pathlights pushes us to understand that seniors want to stay in their home – or very close to home. Older adults want to embrace life, have friends and be active, but sometimes a little help is needed. Pathlights allows them to age gracefully, where they want to be.”
As Burke said, Pathlights serves as a lifeline for individuals and families navigating aging, disability and caregiving challenges, connecting people to essential resources and programs that empower them to live with dignity and independence, including Meals on Wheels, transportation services and more.
“In a lot of ways, Meals on Wheels and caseworker services that have been provided help seniors stay in their homes, help when family is far away and help keep an eye on parents and loved ones when they have issues,” Burke said. “I know Pathlights has also been a great partner with our first responders, alerting Pathlights during times of abuse, financial advantage and more. These resources safeguard both seniors and their assets.”
While new programs are introduced as needed, Pathlights has never strayed from its original mission, Grande said.
“Pathlights helped over 15,500 older adults and adults with disabilities last year. Our education programs cover a vast array of topics, from helping older adults recognize financial scams to supporting grandparents who are raising children. Our professional and compassionate staff connects people with legal services, housing, health care, financial services, transportation and so much more. We do everything we can to help people grow older in the home where they’re most comfortable. We support caregivers who are overwhelmed and can help older adults find their place when staying in their home is no longer safe or healthy.”
For more information on Pathlights or available services, visit pathlights.org.
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