PARSIPPANY, NJ — A newly established nonprofit has emerged in Parsippany, and it is dedicated to helping families who face all-too-common difficulties.
Pathways to Empowerment, Inc.'s purpose is to support low-income, immigrant, and underserved families in Parsippany whose children receive special education services.
Specifically, the nonprofit is assisting families in navigating the special education system in schools and programs.
"By combining parent education, advocacy, workshops, and support groups with academic tutoring, executive functioning coaching, mental health services, and social-emotional support for students, we help families move from confusion to confidence," the nonprofit's site reads. "Our goal is simple: to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and that the promise of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) becomes a lived reality, not just words on a page."
Pathways to Empowerment, Inc. was founded by Zlata Danese, who serves as the organization's Executive Director.
Danese moved to the United States in 1997 from Bosnia and navigated the school system as an English as a Second Language speaker as well. She said it was when she became a special education teacher years later that she saw the difficulties so many families continue to face.
"I later spent more than 15 years working as a special education educator, where I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate the special education system without adequate support," Danese said. "Those experiences ultimately inspired me to create Pathways to Empowerment."
Starting in November, the nonprofit will launch "Pathways to Connection," a free biweekly peer support and social-emotional growth group for Parsippany middle school students.
The program will meet two Mondays a month in the evenings at Saint Elizabeth University, with sessions to be facilitated by doctoral students. The program provides "a safe, supportive environment where students can build friendships, strengthen social-emotional skills, develop confidence, and practice self-advocacy," according to organizers.
Pathways to Empowerment, Inc. is also seeking donations and partnerships to launch free after-school group tutoring and fund programs and events for neurodivergent Parsippany students.
Those who want to learn more about the nonprofit, benefit from its programs, or help its cause can visit its website here.
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