Jonathan was a Marine veteran whose life changed after a 10 month deployment. Relying on alcohol to cope with the things he’d experienced, a DUI landed him in jail. It was through this incarceration that he was introduced to Pathfinders. With the encouragement of his Pathfinders mentoring coordinator, Jonathan found community through a mentoring group with other veterans, life skills that would help him as he transitioned back into the community, and family reunification services that would help him repair broken relationships with his children. Today, Jonathan is more than two years sober, reunited with his children, and rebuilding his business. Jonathan credits Pathfinders with finding his self-confidence again. “Pathfinders didn’t see me as a statistic or someone who had made mistakes. They saw me as someone who could rise again.”
For nearly three decades, Pathfinders has provided hope for the single mother on her path to financial stability, financial coaching for the family on the verge of homelessness, mentoring and employment guidance for the veteran seeking a support system, and a fresh start for individuals reentering the community after incarceration. Under the umbrella of financial empowerment services, Pathfinders provides adult self-sufficiency mentoring as well as financial coaching and asset building that address the root causes of poverty.
Mentoring: A proven approach to self-sufficiency
Pathfinders Self-Sufficiency Mentoring program addresses the cycle of generational poverty. Volunteer mentors work with clients to identify a path to self-sufficiency and make action plans to address barriers to success with help from a Pathfinders Mentor Navigator. Within the Mentoring program is a focus on serving veterans as well as individuals incarcerated in the Tarrant County Jail.
This program leads to tangible results that are transformative for Pathfinders clients. Veterans participating in the program consistently achieve a 100% improvement in employment readiness. Pathways to Success is also making a significant impact. The rearrest rate in Tarrant County is as high as 65%, while Pathways to Success clients demonstrated a rearrest rate of just 2.7%. Pathfinders mentoring services are truly making a difference.
Financial Freedom Journey
Through the early years of the Mentoring program, a common need was identified: financial coaching to equip individuals with tools for financial behavior changes. The Financial Freedom Journey program serves as a GPS for clients looking to take control of their finances. Pathfinders financial coaches guide clients through the basics of personal finance, laying a foundation that teaches the importance of budgeting as well as safe borrowing practices. Each client works with a financial coach to determine their unique goals for the future, whether it be paying off debt, building emergency savings, or saving for a car or a home. The financial coach walks alongside the client to provide support and encouragement, as well as address any obstacles that threaten to derail their progress. On this journey, they also explore asset building opportunities like Pathfinders’ matched savings and credit building opportunities. Pathfinders financial coaching is personalized to meet clients where they are and help them reach their desired destination.
A history of impact
Since 1997, Pathfinders has provided personalized guidance and support to over 20,000 clients across North Texas. What began as one partnership has grown into 30 partnerships today, blanketing the community with financial empowerment services in an effort to break the cycle of generational poverty. Pathfinders clients make exceptional progress as a result of the services they receive. Of Pathfinders clients who received services in 2025:
-96% of mentoring clients achieved greater economic mobility by making tangible steps towards self-sufficiency
-97% of financial coaching clients are better able to manage their finances, with an average increase in savings by $2,784.91 and reduction in debt by $8,292.86
Through all of our programs, Pathfinders clients receive the support and guidance necessary to create positive, long-term change. Pathfinders clients who came to the program in financial crisis are now growing their savings, becoming homeowners, and starting their own businesses as a result of Pathfinders’ financial empowerment services.
How you can make a difference with Pathfinders
Pathfinders welcomes your support in the following areas:
-Sponsor Sharing the Journey: Pathfinders hosts an annual fundraiser, Sharing the Journey, that celebrates the accomplishments of Pathfinders clients. At each year’s event, one client returns as the featured guest speaker, sharing their personal journey to achieving success. A truly inspiring event, the 2026 Sharing the Journey event will be held at The Magnolia on Wednesday, October 21 from 5:30-7:30PM. Each ticket includes complimentary drinks, hor d’oeuvres, and live music, with additional opportunities to support Pathfinders through a raffle and auction. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available for Pathfinders’ biggest event of the year HERE. This is an impactful way for you as an individual or corporation to support Pathfinders mission to eliminate poverty from our community!
-Volunteer as a Mentor: Volunteer mentors join hands with mentees, helping them on their path to self-sufficiency. Through frequent contact, volunteer mentors help clients address barriers to self-sufficiency including employment, financial stability, affordable housing, transportation, education, and childcare. Volunteers are trained and supported by a Pathfinders mentor coordinator.
-Volunteer as a Financial Coach: Volunteer coaches are responsible for facilitating financial coaching sessions covering budgeting, banking, borrowing, and credit. Volunteer coaches go through an intensive day-long training to ensure fidelity to the coaching model.
-Volunteer at Family Fun Engagement Events: Family Fun Engagement nights are centered around financial topics such as saving, credit, banking, or debt reduction. Following a shared meal, adults participate in workshops while children participate in age-appropriate financial literacy activities.
-Host a Donation Drive: Periodically Pathfinders seeks out organizations willing to host a donation drive for clients in need. Donation drives include gift cards, books, holiday baskets, school supplies, winter coats, dress clothes, or hygiene products.
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