About

Dave is a graduate of CSU Fullerton with a Bachelor's degree in English and credentials in teaching, counseling and administrative services. He has a Master's degree from Pepperdine University in education. His career in public education began as a custodian, then teacher's aide, teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and continuation High School principal. It was at the continuation high school that he came to know one of the graduates, Monica, who had been in the teen parent program. Seeing her struggle with no family, resources or job skills, Dave’s and his wife bought a condo and housed her on the condition she get enough training or education to make herself self-sufficient. Soon they formed Pathways to Independenceand have since admitted 298 young women into their program. Pathways admits young women who come from poverty and severe abuse. They commit to full-time school, a part-time job, weekly therapy and weekly mentoring. In return we give them a housing stipend, pay for their education beyond financial aid, and provide healthcare, automotive repairs, a licensed therapist and more. In essence we remove any barrier that could impede their ability to graduate. Most importantly, it works. Our girls enter Pathways with little or no self-esteem, and graduate as confident contributing members of society. All of this takes place with over 300 volunteers, including 125 dentists, doctors, optometrists, therapists, and mechanics. In addition, we are grateful for pro-bono legal, accounting, and printing. We only have two part-time employees, who also volunteer, and have never paid anyone to manage Pathways in our 22 year history.http://www.pathwaystoindependence.org/