Friday, May 7, 2004

Pathways begin crocheting program The ladies at The Women’s Center at Pathways Center in Newnan are making birthday presents and other gifts for friends and family while they make a new life for themselves. Pathways’ Women’s Center works with women who have substance abuse problems, who are on welfare or pregnant, helping them achieve sobriety so they are able to work or get off welfare. “One of the things we have taught them is crocheting,” said Randy MacNear, substance abuse professional at the Newnan center. “We are teaching them one habit to replace another habit. It keeps their hands busy.” Over the past 18 months, MacNear has taught 45 women the art of crochet. She is a 10-year veteran employee of Pathways Center, a human services agency providing services annually to some 6,000 persons with mental health issues, developmental disabilities and addictive diseases in Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether and Troup counties. “None of the ladies who have come into the program knew how to crochet. Before, they had a substance abuse problem," Ms. MacNear said. “Now they have a leisure-type skill.” Pathways has operated a specialized program for women in collaboration with the Department of Family and Children Services since 1998. “Our Women’s Center is a short-term intensive program for women only, giving them substance abuse treatment, support and education so they are able to work, support themselves and their children,” said Pathways Executive Director Joan Turner. The crocheting teaches the women to take aim at a project and complete a project. Currently more than a dozen women are enrolled in the program and learning to crochet. “While they are crocheting, they can be talking and doing a group session the whole time,” Ms. MacNear said. “Crochet is not that hard to learn,” she added. “I teach them how to do the one stitch and then they put it into a blanket. Once they have the blanket done I’ll teach them how to do another stitch. Each stitch is different and each produces a different design.” MacNear tells of one woman who had been in the program and started a quilt. “When she left here, she put it away. It’s a common habit of someone with an addiction not to finish a project. Now, she’s back and she is working on her fifth or sixth project. That’s a good indicator of success,” she said.

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