Spring Break at Pathfinder Village

Sun-drenched southern beaches are a long way from Pathfinder Village, an extraordinary residential community specializing in Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. But for Colgate University freshman Griffen O’Shea, and Jennifer Viera, Spring Break at Pathfinder Village has been a life-changing experience.

Colgate University, Hamilton, offers its students opportunities for community service during its Alternative Spring Break program, as a meaningful option to student parties in Ft. Lauderdale, Daytona and Virginia Beach. Pathfinder Village, a recent participant in the University’s program, offers flexible internship experiences for undergraduates and graduate level students who may be considering careers in human services, or who wish to learn more about working with people who have developmental disabilities.

The Alternative Spring Breaks are organized through Colgate’s Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE) and the Office of the Chaplains. Other student teams went to programs at the Oglala Lakota Nation in South Dakota, the Dominican Republic, and New Bern, North Dakota.

"These trips open students' eyes so that whatever job they end up in, they have an awareness about the world," said Ingrid Hale, COVE director. "We want the participants to become engaged citizens."

“I had applied to attend some of the other programs that were offered, but had been turned down because upper-classmen get first-choice,” said O’Shea, 18, a native of Babylon, NY. “But then the opportunity for Pathfinder came up, and after watching the DVD and looking at the materials, this looked like a lot of fun. Plus, it’s close to Hamilton so I can come back and visit my new friends.”

“This is a great way for us to give back to the community and form new relationships,” added Ms. Viera, 19, Pelham, who is considering a major in education, history, or computer sciences. “I’ve known some people who have had Down syndrome before, but not well. This is a great way to get to know kids in their home environment. They seem so free-spirited and it has taught me the lesson that we should always try to enjoy life.”

O’Shea and Viera have spent their week at Pathfinder working with residential and day students at the Village’s school, which serves 26 children, ages 11 through 21, who have Down syndrome or other learning disabilities. They’ve also moved the school’s library from a small office to a larger area at the Village. In addition, they’ve assisted students in their daily lessons, and helped prepare for the annual St. Patrick’s Day party at the Village.

Their evenings have been spent dining in the Village’s residential homes, and participating in the regular recreation and enrichment programs that are offered to all of the Village’s 80 residents, who range in age from 14 to 58. The interns will share their college with some of the residents during a visit to the Colgate campus Visual Lab/Planetarium to cap-off their exchange program.

“We’re actually happy we got shut-out from the other programs,” Griffen and Viera agreed. “We hope they offer the program at Pathfinder again next year.”

Paul Landers, the Village's chief executive officer, was appreciative of the college interns’ work. “Griffen and Jennifer have gotten to know our residents for the past week, and they learned that working with people who have Down syndrome can be a tremendously rewarding experience. These young people are demonstrating initiative and concern, and will be fantastic leaders in whatever careers they choose. They will be great advocates for people who have disabilities.”

Photos: 

Top:  Griffen O'Shea and Chris Sullivan blow up balloons using a compressor to decorate for Pathfinder Village's annual St. Patrick's Day Party.

Below: Frank Stohlman and Jennifer Viera work to reshelve children's books at the library.