News & Events
Spring Semester Kick-off at Cross Keys Village
Friday, February 3, 2012
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Nicarry Meeting House at Cross Keys Village
Learn what is in store for the spring term for Pathways Institute in the York & Adams region. Guests will will have the opportunity to watch a live demonstration done by the Wood Shop members and have a chance to leave with the beautiful sample piece created during the demonstration.
Course Catalogs will be availab during this event.
For more information , please call 717-624-5428.
Spring Semester Kick-off at Landis Homes
Friday, February 10, 2012
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
West Bethany Chapel at Landis Homes
The Spring Semester at Landis Homes will kick-off with introductory comments and a special presentation by Dr. Paul Thibault. Dr. Thibault, current President of Lancaster Catholic High School has served as County Commissioner, and he has taught history at Franklin & Marshall College and Millersville University. He is the author of "Pope Gregory XI, 1370-1378: The Failure of Tradition. The title of his presentation will be
“The Use of History”.
Each instructor will then be introduced and invited to announce what they will teach during the spring term. There will be opportunities to meet many of the wonderful individuals involved with the Pathways Institute. The new spring catalogs will be available as well as registration opportunities. Delicious refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program in the newly renovated Azalea Dining Room.
RSVP by contacting Ms. Alice Whitman at 717-569-3271 by Monday, February 6, 2012.
Pathways Welcomes First Intern
The Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning® has its first student intern during the fall 2011 term! Rachel Shenk is currently a junior at Messiah College. She is studying Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Gerontology.Rachel is passionate about this field of study and hopes to pursue a career in Counseling or working with older adults. She is determined to use her gifts to help individuals and families live whole and healthy lives. Along with her studies, Rachel enjoys being involved in many activities at Messiah College. She is the president of the Messiah College Council on Family Relations student affiliate group and works on campus for a professor by helping with various tasks related to her major. Rachel also participates in a student-led Bible study at Messiah College.
Outside of her role as a student, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family. She has many hobbies, several of which include running, reading, writing, sewing and doing crafts, and she loves animals.
“I am very blessed to have an internship with Pathways Institute this semester. This internship gives me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that I do not receive in the classroom. I believe that learning is a vital process for all stages of life and I am excited to work with a program that reflects this belief. Furthermore, my internship this semester will certainly be a learning experience for me. I look forward to gaining knowledge about the program and hope to contribute in many ways. And most of all, I am excited to spend time with the members of Pathways and hope to get the chance to meet each and every one of you.”
Congratulations to the team "Brainy Bunch " who matched wits with three other teams
and won the 2011 Messiah Village Pathways Challenge!
Cross Keys Village Joins
Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning®
Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community has become the newest site for the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning®, a unique learning program specifically designed for adults “55 and better.”
Following a pilot offering of a few courses in April and May, the first full Pathways term will start this fall and will be open to anyone 55+ in the region. For a list of offerings, visit ThePathwaysInstitute.org, call 717-624-5428 or email a.herb@crosskeysvillage.org.
“The Pathways program adds an important element to our wellness efforts,” said Cross Keys President/CEO Vernon King. “We have committed that program to focus on all elements of wellness, and lifelong learning certainly is part of living a full and fulfilling life.”
“A wonderful advantage of the Pathways Institute program is that courses are just the right amount of time to be interesting and stimulating without requiring a large commitment of time,” said Susan Stauffer, director of the Pathways Institute. “Typically, courses are one to four sessions with each session lasting one to two hours.
“Many of the courses are taught by retired college professionals,” Stauffer added. “This is a great volunteer opportunity for older adults to continue to share their knowledge.”
Pathways Institute was started five years ago by Messiah Village to offer adults in the greater Harrisburg region opportunities to engage in mental, cultural and spiritual activities promoting their overall wellness. In 2008, Landis Homes began offering Pathways Institute in Lancaster County. “We are pleased that Cross Keys Village will be the third site to provide Pathways Institute programs to older adults in the region,” Stauffer said.
Arlen Herb has joined Cross Keys Village as its new Pathways Institute coordinator. He is a career educator and school counselor who most recently managed ticketing and patron services for the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York. He brings both a love of continued learning and a strong background in customer service to the position.
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Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community provides retirement living services (cottage and apartment homes, plus amenities) for nearly 600 women and men, with another 100 in personal care and 250 in nursing (smaller numbers are served in short-term, rehabilitation nursing and adult day services). It was founded by Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren congregations in 1908 and moved to its current location in 1952. The campus today comprises more than 250 acres of land. Prudent, conservative leadership has made Cross Keys one of the most financially secure continuing care retirement communities in Pennsylvania.
The Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning is a learning program of Messiah Village, a non-profit organization located in Mechanicsburg, PA that provides resident communities, support services in the community and enrichment opportunities to older adults in South Central PA. The Messiah Village team of 600 employees’ mission is to enhance the lives of 1,500 older adults they serve each day.
Volunteer Opportunities!
As Pathways Institute continues to grow there are many new challenges, and most importantly many new and interesting ways to volunteer. Contact the Pathways Institute Director, Susan Stauffer to meet and discuss the opportunities.
A Tight Knit Group: Messiah Students and Retirees Bond in Monthly Meetings at Messiah Village:
Student-run group hosted by Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning
On a typical Friday evening, most people would not expect to see college students hanging out at a retirement community. However, on the first Friday evening of the month, you can find students from Messiah College eating pizza and knitting with members of the Pathways Institute, a group of Messiah Village residents and community members often three generations older than the student volunteers.
Each month, the Tabitha’s knitters – a student-organized ministry at Messiah College – join Pathways Institute members at Messiah Village for pizza and needlework for one hour to knit hats, mittens, scarves and other warm items that are donated to residents of Harrisburg area shelters. Tabitha’s allows students to interact with older adults who can share their stories and wisdom, while knitting and crocheting for a good cause. Since last fall, Tabitha’s knitters have donated more than 100 items to Bethesda Women and Children’s Shelter, with half of their donations coming from the Village’s faithful knitters.
“We certainly couldn’t help as many people as we do without the Pathways Institute members. Every time we meet with them, they have a whole bagful of beautiful, warm items to give us,” said Joy Oakes, coordinator for Tabitha’s.
But their work doesn’t stop there. On a regular basis, you’ll find the Tabitha’s knitters at Bethesda Women and Children’s Shelter, teaching the women to make hats on the knitter looms. Some made hats for themselves, others for their soon-to-be-born babies.
“It’s hard to say who is impacted more: the knitters or the women at the shelter,” said Oakes. “It’s such an eye-opening, wonderful experience for the knitters. And you could see women’s confidence and pride growing with the length of the hats.”
Pathways Institute Gift Certificates make great gifts!
Gift certificates for Pathways Institute memberships are available at the Pathways Institute Office at each site. Memberships are a great way to say “thanks” to a friend, or to celebrate a special occasion!
