Calling all Allies!

Thrive! graduated its seventh class of participants — known as Leaders — in September, bringing the number of families currently served through the relationship-based, life skills development program up to twelve. To some unfamiliar with the challenges of living in poverty, twelve families might not sound like many, but those families result in:

• 31 children who participate in meals, youth programming, tutoring, and journaling each week;
• 24 volunteers — known as Allies — who are matched with the families to help them meet their goals, address job loss, and navigate close and extended family relationships;
• 240 meals each month (60 people x 4 weeks) on Tuesday nights at the Harris Activity Center off Poyntz Ave. 

As a Thrive! volunteer, I have seen first-hand that positive relationships over time can achieve TRUE COMMUNITY! In these seemingly difficult political times when factions hunker down and few really try to listen, Thrive! does things differently. No matter your political preference, skin color, spiritual beliefs, or amount of money saved, Thrive! is a real community that embraces difference and that works together for family empowerment. 

The eighth class of Leaders who are graduating in December from the nine-week “Getting Ahead” preparation class will need Allies. I wonder if you might want to join the Thrive! community and become an Ally?  The six-hour Ally (volunteer) training will take place Saturday, December 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a make-up/booster Monday, December 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Contact me if you’d like to know more about the Thrive! Ally trainings or to sign up for the December sessions. 
Elaine Johannes, Thrive! Ally Coordinator
emjohanne@gmail.com or ejohanne@ksu.edu