Our Story
Our Purpose
The Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning® was established in 2005 to provide a forum for older adults to find meaningful use of their talents and abilities. Representatives from Messiah Village, Messiah College, and the Brethren in Christ Church collaborated to found the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Messiah Village took the lead in establishing and funding Pathways Institute (with a significant start-up grant provided by the Susquehanna Conference of the Brethren in Christ Church), with the purpose of providing residents from south central Pennsylvania who are 55 years of age and older with opportunities to engage in mental, cultural, and spiritual activities promoting their overall wellness. The program also intended to assist older adults in being good stewards of their own talents, time and treasures.
In 2008, Messiah Village was approached by several individuals who were interested in offering the Pathways Institute in Lancaster County through Landis Homes. In May 2008, Messiah Village began working with Landis Homes to begin offering Pathways Institute offerings in Lancaster. Pathways Institute programs offered in Lancaster County are sponsored by Landis Homes and administered through an agreement with Messiah Village.Pathways Institute began offering programs in the York and Adams region through a second agreement established in January 2011 between Messiah Village and Cross Keys Village – A Brethren Home Community.
In pursuit of Lifelong Learning, the Institute focuses on three key components:
- Personal Development Path... Promotes continued learning opportunities, personal enhancement, and spiritual growth
- Service Path... Provides venues for seniors to share their knowledge, beliefs, and life experiences with others
- Legacy/Sharing Path... Fosters generativity of older adults through opportunities to pass on wit and wisdom for future generations
Pathways Institute’s Success Factors
- Uniqueness of Pathways Institute Programming: High-quality courses and events presented on a wide variety of relevant topics including literature, religion, computers, hobbies/crafts, politics, music, environment, current issues, and culture.
- Courses and events held in a variety of locations and venues including museums, cultural centers, historical societies, libraries, local colleges, and outdoors/environment.
- Two terms are held each year, fall and spring, similar to a college schedule which is very appealing to participants.
- Diversity and volunteerism of high-quality instructors. Most instructors are retired, many from teaching at local colleges or from other fascinating and unique careers. Some also teach currently and still share generously of their time and expertise.
- Focus on serving all adults age 55 + in South Central PA, not just retirement community residents.
- Peer Learning. Students and instructors appreciate the opportunity to learn from one another. Many instructors enjoy learning from Pathways "students" as much as teaching.
- A Program Director and Coordinator whose schedules are devoted 100% to developing and managing the program.
- Ongoing commitment from Advisory Board consisting of individuals who conceived of the idea, as well as others from the larger community.
- Participants appreciate intergenerational interaction and service, typically with local college students.
Staff
Susan Stauffer, Pathways Institute Director
Susan Stauffer has a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology-Psychology. She has devoted nearly 30 years of her professional career to the field of aging services and administration. More than 20 of those years were spent working in Pennsylvania’s Area Agency on Aging network where she served as Deputy Director of a large agency in the south-central area of the State. Ms. Stauffer joined Messiah Village in 2005 at which time she developed and implemented the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning®. As Director, she oversees program development and operations of the Pathways Institute at all program sites.
Sharon Blouch, Pathways Institute Coordinator
Sharon Blouch coordinates course registration and handles daily operational details for the Harrisburg and Lancaster Pathways Institute sites.
