In September 1996 Family Pathfinders was created by John Sharp, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in response to welfare reform. The program goal was to enlist community support for welfare reform efforts by partnering with faith and civic groups to form mentoring teams to work with families on their journey to self-sufficiency. Over the years, they have expanded their mentoring program to serve additional low-income clients and the reentry population and broadened their programming to include job readiness and financial literacy.
In October 2014 Family Pathfinders was named a Top-Rated 2014 Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits and awarded a spot on the GreatNonprofits Hall of Fame.
Programs/Services Offered
Mentors join hands with an individual or family for one year, helping them make the very difficult transition to financial stability. Each mentor provides a broad range of support including budgeting, job preparation, decision making, emotional support, parenting advice and goal setting. Mentors support a family by helping them set goals and create plans to attain those goals. In addition, mentors provide assistance with problem solving, connection to community resources, decision making, money management, parenting issues, and emotional support. They are closely involved in the lives of their clients.
Financial Literacy: classes help students identify ways to better manage their money, reduce expenses, save for emergencies and improve their self-advocacy skills in a fun and interactive setting. Using the FDIC “Money Smart” curriculum and class role play activities, the students learn basic steps for creating a household budget, choosing and using banking resources, identifying borrowing risks and benefits, improving credit and saving for financial goals. All students receive a “budget box” which is a portable file with tools to help them create a budget and manage their financial records and bills.
Financial Coaching: Pathfinders provides financial coaching to help low and moderate income people attain financial stability. Financial Coaching builds on financial (education/management) skills to address personal needs for improving financial behaviors. Each client-driven session is led by a volunteer Coach with training in budgeting, banking and borrowing, and credit.
Start Date
Sunday, September 1, 1996
Type of Agency/Organization
Non-profit social services agency
City
Fort Worth
State
Texas
Geographic Reach
Onesite
Clientele/Population Served
Low income families, homeless individuals, TANF recipients, working poor
A representative from the Education Commission of the States would like to learn more about examples of cooperative efforts between schools/business/industry to assist youth in becoming job ready? Examples may be job shadowing, mentor programs, internships, summer employment, etc.
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Date
October 2010
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
Education Commission of the States
State
Colorado
Topics/Subtopics
Employment
Job Development and Placement
Job Search
Summer Youth Employment
Education and Training
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from PeerTA
Question Text
What are the steps to forming an effective CSE/WIA collaboration? A TANF/WIA collaboration?
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Date
March 2009
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
PeerTA
State
Virginia
Topics/Subtopics
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from PeerTA
Question Text
Are there any targeted funds available to coordinate local collaborations?
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Date
March 2009
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
PeerTA
State
Virginia
Topics/Subtopics
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from The Community Partnership
Question Text
A representative from the Community Partnership would like to know what types of training sessions, seminars, or classes States recommend to improve communication and cooperation between agencies that each address different aspects of a grant-funded welfare-to-work program?
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Date
March 2008
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
The Community Partnership
State
Missouri
Topics/Subtopics
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from PeerTA
Question Text
The Peer TA Network would like to learn about successful collaborations between TANF and Child Support Enforcement?
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Date
June 2007
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
ICFI
State
Virginia
Topics/Subtopics
Supportive Services
Child Support
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from Jefferson County Community Connection
Question Text
A representative from Jefferson County Community Connection would like to know if any states have programs that use state/county funds or TANF dollars in conjunction with a housing authority to enable caseworkers to place homeless families in permanent or long-term temporary housing?
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Date
April 2007
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
Jeffco Community Connection
State
Colorado
Topics/Subtopics
Supportive Services
Housing Assistance
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from Washington Social and Health Services
Question Text
A representative from Washington Social and Health Services would like to know what strategies States are using to partner with community organizations that provide free financial literacy services to TANF clients?
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Date
December 2006
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
DSHS
State
Washington
Topics/Subtopics
Education and Training
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from PeerTA
Question Text
Could anyone please provide examples of small faith-based local programs that are effectively serving TANF customers? Please describe services provided and recent successes.
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Date
March 2005
Source
OFA Peer TA
Agency/Organization
PeerTA
Topics/Subtopics
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
TANF Regulatory Codes
Question / Response(s)
Question from PeerTA
Question Text
Have any State or county TANF agencies established constructive relationships with their local public housing agencies? If so, describe how this collaboration was formed and what results/changes have taken place due to this collaboration.
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