Our Programs

Looking at his life at 40 years old. Wife, 3 children and a great career. He never saw this as an option for himself.  A history in foster care, group homes and dysfunction, it felt like a life so distant. At 13, after spending time in a group home and a few nights on the street. He was gifted a small used 3 speed Schwinn bicycle. That gave him the confidence and positive outlook to start taking charge of his situation. A bike race career spawned as well as a future in the film industry at 19 in NYC and now a successful photography company of 10 years in Connecticut. Noah's new mission is to give back and help kids that are growing up as he once did. It started in 2020 where he rode cross-country by bicycle, visiting youth shelters, letting the kids know it would get better. Now, Noah looks to continue his work in expanding the horizons of those that grow up like himself. To show them their limitless possibility.

John Robertson is the Membership Services Director for the Florida Network. He began this work as a Life Skills Educator at Someplace Else Youth Shelter at Capital City Youth Services in 1998, leaving as Shelter Manager in 2001 to return to Florida State University to earn a Master’s degree in Inter-disciplinary Social Science.

Prior to joining the Florida Network, He traveled the southern United States in support of federal grants under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act for the Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services.

In 2008 he was recognized by Training Magazine as one of the country’s “40 Best Trainers Under 40” for his ability to connect and engage with audiences.

While at the Florida Network, John became a Georgetown Fellow, working with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to reform system policy for all youth in care regardless of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, or Gender Expression.

In his current role, John aspires to care for the caregivers, and elevate the professional recognition of Youth Workers in Florida.

Blending her training in special education, counseling and public health and her

experience as a foster care and adoptive parent, Linda Rogen is currently the Clinical

Consultant, previously the Director of Programs and Services, at Vista Life Innovations.

Vista, based along the CT shoreline, provides a holistic, community-based, non-

academic, post-secondary education and long-term supports to adults with disabilities. In

her 30-years at Vista she has partnered with hundreds of young people as they- with

purpose and pride- transition to adulthood, find their individual voices, and reach

personal success.

Her life’s motto is “We are all just walking each other home,” spoken by Ram Das.

After leading a recreation program at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, he has been involved in

various business and educational matters for decades. He has led national business service

efforts and taught classes from coast to coast. Most recently he managed a residential

program for disabled adults with autism at Benhaven in New Haven, CT. He currently is

involved with Thomson Bike Tours, which he cofounded in 2003. He also teaches history at

Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT and rides bike as often as he can considering

his schedule as only being semi-retired.

Christy Stoddard has a Master’s degree in Special Education and a certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has worked with students from K-12 in the public schools as well as in a community-based program for students with disabilities ages 18 to 21 years old. She has also worked in a pediatric rehabilitation clinic where she taught social skills, behavior management, and sensory processing groups. She even taught a bike clinic to assist with social emotional growth. Christy is an artist. She wanted to combine her love for teaching students with special needs with her love for art. As a result, she started a Unified Arts program at the Guilford Art Center. She also currently serves on the Board at The Women and Family Life Center. 

Christy grew up in a family that focused on helping families in need. She grew up watching  her parents cultivate the lives of children that eventually became like family. As a mom of three, she wants to help give back and use her education and her family values to help to change the lives of adults and children in need. 

Mike Mikolay is the co-founder, Executive Vice President and Director of Operations at the Guilford, Connecticut-based Guardian Jet, one of the largest business aviation consulting and brokerage firms in the world.

In addition to his operational responsibilities, Mike is a key member of the sales team, whose focus is on providing exceptional customer service and offering Guardian Jet’s clients the best advice throughout the process of owning and operating a private jet.

An experienced pilot, Mike holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rating, CFII and MEI. He also earned his seaplane and Raytheon Premier I type rating.

Prior to co-founding Guardian Jet, Mike worked in aircraft sales at Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Mike began his focus on aviation, business and technology following his graduation from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he earned a BS in Aero Technologies and minored in Computer Science. Additionally, he augmented his education with internships at Cessna Citation and Raytheon Aircraft.

As an active member of the local Guilford and shoreline community, Mike has volunteered with numerous organizations and groups including:

·  Current Vice Chair and immediate past Chair of the Guilford Board of Police Commissioners, appointed by the town of Guilford in 2014

·  Board of Corporators Member – Guilford Savings Bank

·  Former Board Member – Guilford Foundation

·  Former Board Member – Guilford Rotary

·  Former Board Member – Guilford Youth Advisory Group

·  Former Board Chair – Bowling Green State University Aviation Advisory Group

Hayley was born and raised in Connecticut, hopping around from different towns and counties.  She’s always had a love for working with young people and has discovered her dream job working in Special Education.  From an early age, she found that belonging to a group of people who were loving and accepting was where she was happiest.  When she was approached by Discover Your Path, she knew this was a chance to bring that same open-minded and understanding community to kids.  Hayley knows that each person’s experiences and feelings are unique and wants to show young people they are valid in the world.  She wants to assist teens in finding their own life changing hobbies, passions, or dream jobs because every human deserves to feel fulfilled.