Better Days With Creative Pathways

10/16/2026

The date has been set, and the theme we have all been waiting for is finally here! Better Days PROM will be on Friday, April 9th 2027!

We can't wait. More details to come!

10/07/2026

The future is bright 😎

We are breaking ground!

It’s honestly unreal to look back and see how much growth has happened over the last 12 years.

Creative Pathways started with one phone call from Josh to Skylar back in 2014, when they both agreed that this was possible. We also have two very special people in this picture — Uncle Doug and Grandma Peggy. When Creative Pathways was nothing more than an idea, they believed in it enough to give us a small loan to help get the agency started. We certainly didn’t have much back then, and without people willing to believe in us from the very beginning, we wouldn’t be standing on this lot today.

In 2018, we opened our first ISL with a total of just six staff members — Josh and Skylar included.

Since then, we’ve endured our first office burning down, a temporary (and rather frustrating 😂) replacement office during COVID, and remodeling another office that we quickly outgrew with the opening and success of our much-needed Day Program. Our Residential Admin Team has now moved into our fourth temporary office while we wait for this next chapter to become a reality.

And now, we are proudly building an office of our own that we hope will be our final stop!

Today, Creative Pathways has 63 valuable and dedicated employees. Some have been with us for nearly this entire journey, while others are just beginning theirs. Every person has played a part in getting Creative Pathways where it is today, and we could not be more thankful.

We also have to give a special shoutout to our administrative team. The amount of work that happens behind the scenes to keep this program moving forward is hard to put into words. They problem-solve, answer phones at all hours, support our staff and individuals, fill in when needed, handle the hard days, celebrate the good ones, and constantly look for ways we can do better. We have an incredible group of people helping lead this program, and much of our growth would not have been possible without them.

We truly have the best job in the entire world. Is it challenging and mentally draining at times? Absolutely. Would we change a minute of it? No.

We have always tried to remain solution-focused, with each individual’s best interest at the center of what we do. We have an incredible team working around the clock to help the individuals we support live the best lives possible — teaching independence, holding them accountable as they learn important life lessons, celebrating their successes, and encouraging them every step of the way.

And this new property is going to give us even more opportunities to do that.

Skylar is especially excited about the gym that our individuals and staff will be able to use, along with a future walking path around the pond. One side of the pond will be designed for fishing, with a shallow area on the other side for swimming. Josh had a pretty great vision when he thought that one up!

We also want this new space to be something special for our staff. We talk often about taking care of your mind, body, and soul, because the life of a caregiver is not an easy one. Our staff spends their days taking care of others, and we want to continue finding ways to take care of them, too.

We hope you enjoy watching this building go up and following along as we start this next chapter.

To every employee, individual, family, guardian, community member, and person who has supported Creative Pathways and helped make this possible — thank you. There is no way we could individually recognize every person who has helped us along the way, but please know that every contribution, whether big or small, has been a piece of getting us here.

Creative Pathways is a nonprofit. Someday, when everyone standing in this picture is long gone, what we have built will still belong to this community and continue serving the people who call it home.

That makes this moment pretty special.

We love you all. Let’s build this thing!

08/27/2026

Wishing everyone a wonderful school year!

And especially to the families who are beginning to think about what comes next after high school. 💙

If you know someone who will be graduating soon—or someone who has already graduated and might benefit from learning more about Better Days—we’d love to connect with them!

Sometimes the first step is simply learning about the options available. Reach out and let us know how we can help!

06/23/2026

Healthy Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
Health and wellness look different for everyone.

For some people, it's choosing water instead of soda once in a while. For others, it's taking a walk, trying a new food, getting enough sleep, or simply finding ways to stay active throughout the day.

At Better Days, we focus on practical, everyday habits that support overall well-being.

Some of the things we've been exploring include:
🍎 Trying new fruits and vegetables
🚶 Staying active through walks, games, community activities, and movement throughout the day
💧 Learning about hydration and making healthy choices
🥦 Talking about balanced meals and healthy snacks
🧠 Understanding how food, activity, and daily routines can affect energy, mood, and overall health

Nobody is expected to be perfect. The goal isn't dieting, counting calories, or giving up favorite foods. It's about learning, trying new things, and building habits that help people feel their best.

Some days are healthier than others. Some new foods are a hit. Some are definitely not. That's life.

Progress doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with a walk, a bottle of water, or taking one bite of something green.

04/27/2026

We had a great group for our final water aerobics class before the dome comes down for the summer! Thank you Marceline City Pool, especially Carol, who showed up each week to help us get our fitness on! We already can’t wait for the next dome season.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day!!! 🌎

Earth Day 2026 was a major success! Creative Pathways Residential Supports and the Better Days With Creative Pathways crews spent today helping clean up around our area! Afterwards, we all enjoyed a sweet treat at Tastee Treat! Thank you to everyone who assisted and participated today!

03/20/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 💙

Around here, we don’t do boring.

We’re a crew of big personalities, inside jokes, dance breaks, stubborn streaks, and moments that’ll absolutely melt your heart when you least expect it.
From advocating HARD for our favorite snacks, to navigating the world in ways that don’t always fit the “norm,” every single one of our individuals brings something real, honest, and important to the table.

Some of us talk a lot.
Some of us don’t use words at all.
Some of us love routines.
Some of us rewrite them daily.

And all of us deserve to be seen, heard, and included.

Last month, a few of our crew even showed up at the courthouse to advocate and make some noise (the good kind 😉). Because voices matter—even the quiet ones, even the unconventional ones.

Out here in rural Missouri, we get creative with our fun—community outings, random adventures, and making memories wherever we go. Inclusion doesn’t just happen in big cities. It happens right here, in everyday moments.

So this month (and every month), we’re celebrating differences, embracing quirks, and reminding everyone that disability is not inability.

Also… if you see us out in the community laughing a little too loud or dancing in public… no you didn’t. 😎

03/16/2026

Life Skills: It’s Not Just Folding Towels (But Yes, We Do That Too)

Let’s talk life skills — the everyday stuff that most people don’t think twice about until something goes sideways.

Like figuring out how to use a microwave without cooking the fork. Or how to tell the difference between shampoo and conditioner before you lather.

At our day program, we work on all the little things that make a big difference — the skills that help adults with developmental disabilities live more independently, confidently, and safely.

Below is just a sample of what we practice (without making it feel like homework).

And here’s the best part:
All of these things? They’re supported through the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Medicaid Waivers under something called Individualized Skill Development. (Translation: It’s real growth, real goals, and real life happening.)

👉 So if you’ve got a family member approaching adulthood, aging out of school services, or just needing a place to keep building skills in a safe and supportive environment — we’re here for that.

DM us. Call us. Or just stop by — but maybe give us a heads-up so we can make sure we aren't out practicing our skills!

02/06/2026

🌺 Community Event Information 🌺
An upcoming Luau event is on the way! Individuals and families can find dates, times, and additional details on the flyer below.

01/13/2026