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WHO WE ARE

About Pathways

Pathways to Independence was founded in 1991 by Dave and Joyce Bishop and received 501(c)(3) status as a Public Charity in February 1994.   Pathways’ initial goal was to help a young woman named Monica, get advanced education and achieve self-sufficiency. Monica was the product of a dysfunctional alcoholic family, with Pathways’ help, Monica was able to get advanced training and a full-time job and achieved independence. 

Pathways to Independence is the inspiration and avenue for individual empowerment, personal healing and scholastic growth.

The mission of Pathways to Independence is to transform the lives of single young women, from disadvantaged backgrounds, through education, therapy, mentoring, housing and healthcare, to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.

Presently, Pathways has 14 Board Members and 120 volunteers collaborating to execute our mission.

The Board

Our active and involved Board of Directors, comprised of area professionals including two Pathways’ graduates, is charged with the financial and managerial oversight of our operations. We are extremely fortunate to have such a committed group at the helm of our organization. No Board Members receive any compensation whatsoever.

ORG CHART (PDF)

2024 MOTTO

United in Mission

(Pictured) Pathways board and staff at the June 2024 retreat.

Our Current Board Members

VIEW BOARD MEMBERS

Current Staff Openings

No current opportunities. Please check back soon.

Our Current Staff Members

Diana Hill

Executive Director

Diana has been associated with Pathway since 2007 and has served as a mentor, coordinator, and board member.
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Lisa Mais

Fund Development Officer

Lisa Mais, Fund Development Officer, brings 29 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience to Pathways to Independence.

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Kitty Barlow

Controller

Kitty owns and operates her own Accountancy.  She is a Certified Return Tax Preparer, licensed by the State of California.

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Brenda Gallegos

Education Director

Brenda brings over 15 years of experience in higher education.

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Nancy Blasi

Administrative Assistant

Nancy comes to Pathways to Independence from the business world.

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Jan Pollitt

LCSW, Therapist Director

Jan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of experience.

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Franc Freeman

Facilities Coordinators

Current Pathways Client

COMING SOON

Shawnee Stevens

Facilities Coordinators

Her goal is to add the support network already in place for the women who live here in the Pathways buildings.

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Porscha Singh

Academic Success Grad Assistant

I am honored and grateful to serve as Pathway’s Academic Graduate Assistant!
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Education, Healthcare, Therapy and
Mentoring for Young Women in Need
  • 562-493-9048
  • Pathways to Independence
    P.O. Box 43 Los Alamitos,
    CA 90720
  • 501(c)(3) | Tax ID 33-0148082
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Diana Hill

Diana has been associated with Pathway since 2007 and has served as a mentor, coordinator, and board member. Diana was asked to take the role of Interim Executive Director in February of 2022 and, in September of 2022, was honored to accept the position permanently.

Previously Diana owned and operated a national seminar firm for 18 years and was a Director of Education at Online Trading Academy for 14 years. Diana has been a community leader for over 25 years in Los Alamitos and the greater Orange County area. She is currently a governing board member of the Los Alamitos School District, among other volunteer positions.

Diana is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who have demonstrated a desire to grow and break the negative cycles in their lives. She is a leader who serves, inspires, and always reaches for audacious goals.

Lisa Mais

Lisa Mais, Fund Development Officer, brings 29 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience to Pathways to Independence. She played a key role in establishing Friends of Pathways, the organization’s fundraising arm. Passionate about service, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact, Lisa has a proven track record in grant writing, donor development, and event fundraising. Her dedication and expertise continue to drive Pathways forward as the organization grows.

Kitty Barlow

Kitty owns and operates her own Accountancy.  She is a Certified Return Tax Preparer, licensed by the State of California. She became involved with Pathways in 2009. She has been a mentor, and has served on The Board.  She shares her passion for the Pathways mission even more than her passion for numbers. “I can not think of a better organization to work for”, “It is, and will continue to be my honor to serve this wonderful organization”.

Brenda Gallegos

Brenda brings over 15 years of experience in higher education, where she has excelled in a variety of roles, starting as a front desk student assistant and advancing through positions such as recruiter, academic advisor, and now financial aid counselor. She has contributed her expertise at institutions such as CSU Channel Islands, CSU Long Beach, CSU Dominguez Hills, and Cal Poly Pomona.

Brenda holds a Master of Arts in Equity, Education, and Social Justice from CSU Long Beach and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Communication Studies and Spanish from CSU Channel Islands. Her passion for education is driven by a deep commitment to social justice and a desire to empower students, particularly women from underserved backgrounds, to achieve their academic and personal goals. She finds fulfillment in guiding students through their educational journey, whether they are pursuing a certificate or a bachelor’s degree, and helping them overcome systemic barriers to success.

As a proud daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Brenda’s personal experiences fuel her dedication to advocacy and mentorship. She is committed to creating opportunities that help women thrive in higher education and beyond. Her ultimate goal is to earn an EdD and continue working to increase the number of underrepresented women in higher education.

In her free time, Brenda enjoys hanging out with friends and family, traveling, mind-mapping, journaling, learning about people’s stories, and connecting with like-minded individuals who share her passion for social change.

Nancy Blasi

Nancy comes to Pathways to Independence from the business world, bringing more than twenty years of expertise in sales, marketing, and strategic planning for major consumer brands. While managing a sales region in the greater Southern California area, she also earned her MBA. When her daughters were in middle school, she took a break from the corporate ladder, choosing instead to work part time while serving the community through Girl Scout leadership, PTA boards, National Charity League and most recently, Meals on Wheels. Joining the Pathways staff is an incredible opportunity to serve these inspirational young women, while working alongside an incredibly dedicated team.

Jan Pollitt

Jan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with L.A and Orange County vulnerable populations for over 35 years. She retired from the County of Orange Child Protective Services and has been a director in many non-profit programs working with survivors of domestic violence and clients struggling with substance use. Jan worked in the domestic violence program at Camp Pendleton helping active-duty service members and their families’ facing challenges. Jan has a strong commitment to working with women to aid in their self- empowerment and to help them create lives they never even dared to imagine. Jan is so honored to be a part of Pathways to Independence.

Shawnee Stevens

I am a passionate student of biological and health science, and I am beginning my second year in Pathways to Independence. I am starting the transfer and application process to nursing schools in the early spring and hope to get into nursing programs as soon as possible. I consider myself to be a Jack of all trades, and am excited to be joining the Pathways team in an official capacity! In addition to my schooling, I work as an In-Home-Care Aide and have many hobbies, just a few of which are cooking, paddle-boarding, biking and arts-and-crafts. I am working with Eydie and others to begin mindfulness workshops and cooking workshops in which clients can learn new and useful skills for daily life. I hope to add to the support network already in place for the women who live here in the Pathways buildings, and hope to promote a sense of belonging, safety and community to all who come to live under our roof. I have lived at 5091 Dunbar for just over a calendar year, and absolutely love where I live. I am happy to assist in the care and maintenance of these buildings and their amenities that are so generously provided to us clients and am excited to be a part of the Pathways to Independence experience!

Porscha Singh

I am honored and grateful to serve as Pathway’s Academic Graduate Assistant! I am a South Asian Indian and Black Woman raised in the “City of Champions”, Inglewood, CA. I am a proud God-Mom. I am grateful to be the product of Black Lesbian parents. I am a first-generation and non-traditional student. I received my Associate of Arts Degree from Santa Monica College. I transferred to CSUDH; I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Television, and Media Studies with a Minor in Women’s Studies. Currently, I am a full-time graduate student at CSULB in the Student Development in Higher Education Program; I am halfway through completing my second year. I work full-time at the Workforce Services Branch under the Employment Development Department as a career counselor and trainer. I look forward to supporting our Pathway’s vision and goals as well as our participants.

I enjoy cooking, attending live music venues, hiking, meditating, and catching up on my favorite t.v. shows—Abbott Elementary, The Gilded Age and We’re Here are some of my current faves. I love to travel. I indulge in wellness activities like going to the spa or DIY facials. I look forward to engaging with and creating memorable experiences with everyone. Peace & Blessings!