Meet Miya
When Miya joined Pathways Kitchen in March 2024, she brought with her a warm smile, strong confidence, and a determination to build a brighter future. From her first day, it was clear she was ready to grow. Within just five months of completing her initial training, Miya advanced into Path 3, where she quickly became a trusted leader among her peers. Whether guiding a team through event prep or stepping in to support younger participants, Miya consistently set the tone with her positivity and work ethic.
Community members and catering customers will recognize Miya from countless Pathways Kitchen events, where she is often the first to greet guests with her signature smile. Behind the scenes, she excelled in every role she took on—learning new skills, taking initiative, and showing an impressive ability to bring people together.
While Miya continues to support Pathways Kitchen as a Path 4 youth on larger events, 2025 has been a year of big steps forward. Earlier this year, she made the thoughtful decision to step away from full-time programming to enroll in an educational program to become a veterinary technician—combining her love for animals with her commitment to building a sustainable, meaningful career.
In another milestone that reflects her determination and planning, Miya also became a homeowner this year. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and grateful to be part of her journey.
“Pathways has helped me thrive by knowing time and place. You guys have taught me [to not let] my outside life dictate my future and career! Pathways has helped me pave my own path by allowing help, people are out here to actually help and not tear me down...I’ve been through it but joining Pathways showed me I’m not the only person in the world having problems! ”