A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
One mother's dream blossomed into a legacy spanning three generations.
The seeds one mother planted are still growing today, over 30 years later. In 1993, Valencia Thomas enrolled her young children, Johnerra and Jernell, at Pathways while beginning her own career there as an infant teacher.
She later became Pathways' Director, dedicating herself to giving other children the same strong foundation her own family received.
That foundation changed lives. Johnerra went on to earn her college degree and now serves as a program manager for Collier County Parks and Recreation. Jernell earned a basketball scholarship, played professionally overseas and today coaches young athletes in his community. Their older sister, Larell, followed in her mother’s footsteps by working at Pathways and later chose the same strong start for her own children.
Now, a new generation is writing its own Pathways story. Valencia’s grandchildren, Larell's twins: Za’via and Za’viyan, are thriving in the very classrooms where their family members were nurtured decades ago. They are exceeding kindergarten readiness benchmarks, beginning their educational journeys with the same confidence and support that shaped the generations before them.
The Hughes family's story is proof that when we invest in one child, we help create opportunities that strengthen families and enrich communities for generations yet to come.