COMMUNITY ACTION

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@lhtxdigest.com

Paving the Way to Independence

HISTORY

Photo by Vicky McCown

list—a work program to help at-risk students find jobs at local businesses. With job coaching from CPO mentors and in partnership with Workforce Solutions, the Pathways to Success Work Program will help youth and young adults find jobs and develop skills aimed at self-sufficiency. Mayor Elizabeth Branigan, CPO Board of Directors Treasurer Teresa Hernandez and Working with students in youth minExecutive Director Vicky McCown distribute food at San Gabriel Crossing Apartments during the water outage from the storm. Photo by Kendra Cofer istry and as a school registrar inspired Vicky to start Community Pathways

COrganization. “I saw the struggles, the rossing the bridge from adolescence to adulthood, ones who had to quit school to go to work. The ones who especially for at-risk teens and young adults, can be a didn’t have food,” she shares. “God had been on me to daunting transition. Community Pathways Organization start this organization for young adults to transition to (CPO) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that empowers adulthood.” Liberty Hill youth, young adults, and their families to de- When she launched CPO in September 2019, the velop independent living skills and become productive timing was perfect. The following spring, she received a members of their community. call from the school district, asking if CPO could help stu-

Thanks to CPO, at-risk youth and young adults receive dents on the free & reduced lunch program who couldn’t help obtaining a driver’s license and other identification, return to school in person because of COVID-19. CPO weekend snack bags, school supplies, and mentoring. delivered several thousand weekend snack bags through CPO also provides medical, emotional, and mental the end of the school year. And, at the beginning of this support to facilitate their high school graduation or school year, CPO donated more than $6,000 in school equivalency. The organization also refers families to other supplies to start the students’ semester off right. nonprofits if they need something outside CPO’s service scope. “Our goal is to work with all the current nonprofit organizations and fill the gaps where the services aren’t LEND A HAND met,” CPO Executive Director Vicky McCown says. To help Community Pathways Organization continue

CPO partners with Liberty Hill ISD to find and help its mission of serving youth and families in need, CPO youth and families in need; e.g., mentoring a homeless welcomes the following items: student, helping Golf tournament sponsors: Caring for Our Community, a first-genera- May 10 at Cimarron Golf & Country Club (Georgetown) tion American A cargo van to pick up supplies for distribution student get a A computer for program trackingdriver’s license, or helping famSchool supplies ilies apply for Computers for students during COVID food stamps and Hygiene items for clients other assistance. This summer, Volunteers Vicky hopes to To learn more about Community add another Pathways Organizations, call 512-528Lee Kinsey, with his daughter, was able service to the 3913 or visit CPOtx.org.

to get his driver’s license thanks to CPO.