We Are The PATHfinder Club
The PATHfinder Club (TPC) is an arts-based support club model for teens who have been impacted by incarceration, detention, and deportation. The PATH in PATHfinder stands for Paving A Trail of Hope.
Through our network of clubs across the country, our program supports youth in a variety of settings to feel comfortable and confident to stay in school and graduate, set and achieve goals, expand their resilience, conquer challenges, embrace opportunities for healing and self-expression, and connect in meaningful ways with their peers, loved ones, and their community.
POPS the Club served as the inspiration for The PATHfinder Club.
Our “Why”
Youth who have been impacted by incarceration, detention, and deportation are significantly affected emotionally, financially, socially, educationally, and in other aspects of their lives.
Their ability to develop positively into adulthood is impacted leading to a variety of negative life outcomes that can result in family conflict, educational challenges, juvenile justice involvement, mental health and substance use struggles, negative health impacts, and setbacks in reaching their fullest potential. Due to stigma, shame, hurt, and harm, they typically hide their experiences and the negative effects from important people in their lives, including those closest to them.
Tens of thousands of youth impacted by the criminal justice system need supportive spaces where they can begin to move from hurt and harm to hope and healing.
We are proud to offer The PATHfinder Club arts-based support club model to partners across the country who want to create supportive and transformative support spaces for youth impacted by incarceration, detention and deportation. We’re on a mission to support and empower impacted youth on their journey to become resilient adults.
Our Impact
Our Clubs create empowering spaces. Preliminary findings from ongoing evaluation of The PATHfinder Club illustrate the powerful outcomes that occur when youth feel heard, supported, connected, and empowered.
The PATHfinder Club model can be implemented in a variety of settings to counter the negative impacts of parental incarceration and build resilience in youth.
Publishing
Members of our clubs contribute to regularly published anthologies featuring youth voices and artwork. In 2023, we also published the Impacts of Incarceration Video Library, a collection of 125 videos sharing experiences and wisdom from people who have been impacted by incarceration. Our 10th annual anthology release, Home and Away, will be published on April 8, 2025, and is available now to preorder!
“An anthology of poems, essays, and illustrations by young people (and some adults) explores themes of growing up, family, and dreaming of brighter futures.” -Kirkus Reviews
Club Member Testimonials
"The Club saved my life … if it was not for this Club and the staff, I would not be in college now. I would not be on the right path. This needs to be in every school."
Kat Secaida
"They get it. They understand the hardship that is just part of everyday life with an incarcerated parent. And that makes it easier to be yourself."
Angel Harrison
Start a Club in Your Community
Together, we’ll create a tailored implementation plan that suits your unique needs.
Anthologies and Video Library
Purchase youth anthologies and access the powerful Impacts of Incarceration Video Library.
Invest in Our Mission
Your donation allows us to grow our program and support more systems-impacted youth.
Become a Partner or Volunteer
Sponsor a club, be a guest speaker, or offer your unique skills to a club in your community.
The PATHfinder Club (TPC) is a program of The Pathfinder Network, a 501©(3) non-profit founded to provide justice system-impacted individuals and families the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. The Pathfinder Network serves thousands of individuals and families each year.
The PATHfinder Club is a part of the Partnered Impact Department at The Pathfinder Network, aimed at increasing our impact through collaborative and strategic partnership and mission-aligned creation of innovative solutions. This includes Parenting Inside Out, our evidence-based cognitive-behavioral parent management skills training program.
Our Voices
Creative expression by our club members
Get Involved
Have questions? Want to get involved? Let’s connect! Click the button below to learn more about how you can connect with our work.
Support Our Work
Make a donation to The Pathfinder Network and help us provide support for systems-impacted individuals, youth, and families.