The Pathfinder Village Bell Choir appeared at the 2009 New York State Fair in Syracuse.  Their performance at the Pepsi International Building was covered by Syracuse's News 10 Now:

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 Video courtesy of News 10 Now, Syracuse.

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
 

by Paul C. Landers, Chief Executive Officer

Edmeston, New York…. October 2009 is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and Pathfinder Village, the world’s only known residential community devoted to Down syndrome, will observe the month with activities and events that celebrate the contributions of people who have Down syndrome to society.

There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States today; one in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome.  Down syndrome occurs during pre-natal cell division and results most-typically in three copies of the 21^st chromosome.  All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.

To mark national awareness month, Pathfinder Village will offer guided tours of its campus on Wednesday, October 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and on Sunday, October 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.  All tours begin at the Village’s outreach and education facility, the Kennedy-Willis Center on Down Syndrome.  To make tour reservations, please call the Village at 965-8377, extension 101.

The Village will also acknowledge its dedicated community partners, and will make special presentations to 20 area businesses and non-profit organizations that provide meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for the residents.  These organizations include: AAA, Oneonta; The ARC Otsego, Oneonta; Aqua Valley Springs, Edmeston; Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown; Chase Memorial Nursing Home, New Berlin; Christ Church, Cooperstown; Edmeston Central School; Edmeston Fire Department; Golden Artist Colors, New Berlin; A.C. Hoyt’s Hardware, Edmeston; McDonald’s of Cooperstown; Mickey’s Place, Cooperstown; National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown; NBT Bank of Edmeston; Otsego County Central Kitchen, Cooperstown; P&C, Hartwick Seminary; Susquehanna SPCA, Cooperstown; Silver Dollar Optical, Oneonta; Spike’s Pizzeria, Edmeston, and Woodside Hall, Cooperstown..

Back in 1991, the first National Down Syndrome Awareness month was established through an Executive Order by President George H.W. Bush.  That proclamation states, “…we know that many individuals with Down syndrome are both determined and able to lead active, productive lives. Thanks to early intervention and mainstreaming, as well as improved treatment of physical health problems related to Down syndrome, thousands are doing just that.”  That year, the National Down Syndrome Society kicked-off the first awareness month with a few public announcements.  Today, NDSS will have over 250,000 people in 280 separate venues across the country participating in the annual Buddy Walk, NDSS’ largest public awareness and fund raising event.

Over the past few decades, the progress made for persons living with Down syndrome has been remarkable.  Introduction of early intervention programs, enhancements in education and advancements in healthcare, employment and housing have all led to a better quality of life for all persons living with Down syndrome.  Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades from 25 in 1983 to over 60 today. 

Founded in 1980, Pathfinder Village started through humble beginnings of seven homes and a school house.  Today, the Village has grown to over 20 buildings set on 178 acres, and is home to over 80 individuals with Down syndrome.  Through the years, families have come from over 40 states and 29 countries seeking information and support on Down syndrome.  Workshops, seminars and other training opportunities are routinely offered as part of the Village’s commitment to public service.

To learn more about Pathfinder Village and its various programs, please call 607-965-8377 x101 or visit its web site at www.pathfindervillage.org.

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Pathfinder Village's newly named President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Landers will start in August.  He is seen here with Founding CEO Marian Mullet and current CEO Edward A. Shafer.

 Pathfinder Village names Paul C. Landers as CEO

 Edmeston, New York, May 7, 2009 ... Paul C. Landers, M.Ed., of Memphis, Tennessee, has been named the Chief Executive Officer for Pathfinder Village, announced William F. Streck, M.D., the Chair of the Village’s Board of Directors.  Pathfinder Village, located in Edmeston, is a privately operated residential community that is home to 80 children and adults who have Down syndrome.

Mr. Landers, 46, will begin his new position in August 2009.  He succeeds Edward A. Shafer, Ed.D., who is retiring after a 39-year career in education, administration, and serving individuals who have developmental disabilities.  Mr. Landers previously served as the village’s Chief Executive Officer from August 2001 to July 2003.  He went on to become the Executive Director of West Tennessee Family Solutions (WTFS), a family-governed non-profit whose mission is to support and provide opportunities for people who live with developmental disabilities.  Landers, along with a group of parents built the agency from the ground up.  Today, WTFS has an $8 million operating budget and is one of the most well-regarded agencies in west Tennessee. 

“The Board of Directors, families, and friends of Pathfinder are grateful to Dr. Shafer for his years of service to the Village, and for his dedication in serving the needs of those who have Down syndrome,” said Dr. Streck.  “He established meaningful relationships with the residents, families and donors; his work focused on expanding educational, vocational and living opportunities, while refining operations and standards to encourage future growth.”

“During our initial discussions, we sought input from Mr. Landers, who is nationally respected throughout the human services field and has a passion for community-based residential programs,” continued Dr. Streck.  “As our discussions continued, Mr. Landers expressed his interest in returning to Edmeston and conveyed a willingness to share his skills, leadership and vision at Pathfinder Village. We are most gratified that he has chosen to return to the leadership role at Pathfinder.”

Earlier in his career, Mr. Landers served as Director of Residential and Professional Services for New England Village (NEV) of Pembroke, Mass., a residential community for 80 individuals having developmental disabilities.  During his 13 years as a senior administrator, Mr. Landers helped to shape and expand the Village’s programs and services. While at NEV, Mr. Landers also taught graduate-level courses in human services at the Boston University School of Social Work.  Prior to his tenure at New England Village, Mr. Landers was employed as a psychotherapist with at-risk youth and spent several years working direct care in residential and vocational programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Mr. Landers received his Masters in Education in Counseling and Psychology from Cambridge College, and completed his undergraduate studies in Special Education at Boston University. 

Mr. Landers is married; his wife, Adele P. Landers is a Vice President at Commercial Bank and Trust of Memphis, and is active in business- and community-based organizations.  They have two children, Jillian, a student at Union University, Jackson, Tenn., and Jesse, who is employed at All Business Communications in the Boston area.  The Landers family enjoys skiing and traveling.  Mr. Landers is an avid tennis player, and enjoys jogging, hiking and reading.  He also has been involved as a Special Olympics volunteer for over 20 years.

Founded in 1980, Pathfinder Village is a privately funded, non-profit, residential community for children and adults who have Down syndrome.  Additionally, it offers a day school program for students who have disabilities, serving area school districts.  Pathfinder Village is licensed by the State of New York and its programs are regulated by the State Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. It is located on New York State Route 80, two miles east of Edmeston and 15 miles west of Cooperstown.

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