FAITH DEVELOPMENT

The essential element to a life well lived is to be anchored in faith. The Pathways to Independence Program will support students in their ongoing faith development through; community, service, liturgies, retreats and Campus Ministry.

ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE

The Brother Thomas R. Leto Options Program opened its doors in 2008.  Br. Leto recognized the need to educate ALL young men, and his vision provided students with special needs the “option” of benefiting from a Catholic Christian education.

SOCIAL & PSYCH DEVELOPMENT

Bishop Hendricken Options Program provides spiritual, social, and psychological development skills for our students. They learn the importance of their relationships with others’ behaviors, attitudes, and intentions.

INDEPENDENT RESIDENTIAL LIFE SKILLS

The Tom and Terri Murphy Foundation is committed to promulgating inclusion in Catholic High Schools and on to Catholic colleges and universities, focusing on a residential, life skills certificate program.

VOCATIONAL SKILLS

In addition to academic knowledge and life skills, Pathways to Independence will provide students the opportunity to express their interest in a vocational placement to enhance their career exploration for their future.

Behind every organization are the people who make it happen.

Tom and Terri are a truly committed, philanthropic couple and the closest missions to their hearts are the ones that serve the needs of children.

The one thing that greatly impacted Tom while he was at a dinner with the Options students’, Antonio, a graduating senior simply asked, “where do I go next after this amazing Catholic HS experiences”?

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Pathways to Independence Program students graduating at Villanova University

Martha Murray

Tom and Terri Murphy

Tom & Terri Murphy

WHO

Pathways to Independence supports students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities with the support of a trained group of peer mentors. The program celebrates those highly motivated individuals who strive for more than is expected.

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WHEN

The typical applications process begins each Fall. Students may begin the application process during the Fall of their Senior year of High School and are strongly encouraged to do so. The amount of materials that must be gathered and submitted for admission consideration is significant.

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WHY

A steadily increasing amount of Catholic high schools nationally have established inclusive educational programs and welcomed students with mild to moderate challenges into Catholic college preparatory communities.

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WHAT

Tom and Terri Murphy Foundation supports and facilitates the establishment of inclusive programs in Catholic high schools and colleges for motivated young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

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WHERE

After years of raising awareness on behalf of students who often are not included, we can now say, they are now!

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HOW

The Tom and Terri Murphy Foundation is a groundbreaking movement and we can’t do it alone. We are leading with our MISSION, casting the VISION, creating the CULTURE, “you belong “, moving in Unison, and sharing our stories. The momentum is our guiding light along with divine intervention. YOU have the power to inspire others to move this Mission forward.

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Realizing the unique gifts that children with disabilities have to offer the church, we wish to address the need for their integration into the Christian community and fuller participation in its life. There can be no separate Church for people with disabilities. We are one flock that serves a single shepherd

U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Statement