Pathfinder Village residents and students are celebrating October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, through events and activities centered on the theme of “Staying Connected.”  (Photo from of Pathfinder Village).

EDMESTON– Now in its 40th anniversary year, Pathfinder Village will observe October as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month with engaging community-based events centered on the theme of “Staying Connected.”

“For the seven months of the pandemic, Pathfinder’s focus has been on following health protocols and keeping individuals and staff safe through thoughtful strategies,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Paul C. Landers. “At the same time, we’ve addressed ways to keep individuals, their families and friends connected socially, and to provide as many opportunities for being a community as we can. We’ve explored safe ‘push-in’ day services, expanded into virtual programming and site-specific day programs, and leveraged the many event settings that our beautiful campus provides.”

Several recent community activities for individuals included a concert-on-the-lawn to celebrate autumn, a virtual walk by community members to show support for the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” and virtual chapel services by Village Chaplain Douglas Burleigh.

“Our frontline staff and leadership team are flexible and creative in re-interpreting how vocational, educational, enrichment and other services are delivered to Pathfinder residents, students and other service recipients,” explained Mr. Landers. “As New York State continually assesses and adjusts, all non-profit human service agencies must do so as well, and Pathfinder’s leadership and experience are shining through in this most-challenging time.”