Removing Barriers
to help all youth in the Lake Chelan Valley reach their full potential.
Our History
Thrive Cares was established in 2009 by people who saw kids without proper clothing, food, and other basic needs in our local schools. They also saw these kids wanting to participate in the same activities as their peers, but lacked the funds or resources to do so.
THE BARRIERS
60-85% of students in our valley receive free/reduced lunches, which indicates a high poverty level for school-aged children.
Counselors and school administrators estimate that at least 60% of students in both Chelan and Manson Schools have experienced significant childhood trauma.
Because of high poverty and a high degree of single parent homes, many parents are operating in survival mode to put food on the table and pay their bills.
It is estimated that up to 20% of our students are undocumented, posing barriers for post-secondary education, employment, financial gain, and college assistance.
How Does Thrive Cares Work?
Thrive Cares creates opportunities for the community to break down these barriers. These opportunities include meeting immediate needs, providing dignity items, food for kids to eat at home during evenings or weekends, and new/gently used sporting equipment, so all students have the opportunity to participate in sports.
Many individuals, organizations and service clubs enjoy helping kids in need, and Thrive Cares helps connect their resources with the needs. Often, people who work with kids and care deeply about them notice something that would help them be more successful in school. Sometimes school staff even spends their own money when they see a need or educational barrier.
Thrive Cares makes it easy for a school counselor, teacher, administrator, mentor or any youth advocate to submit a request on behalf of a student.
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REQUEST SUPPORT FOR A LOCAL STUDENT
Our youth is our future. When kids face barriers, their chances of success decrease, impacting our community's future. Know a student in need? Click below to submit a request. Our team will review and respond within 24-48 hours with next steps.
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THRIVE CARES KITS
Thrive Chelan Valley removes barriers to help local youth reach their potential. We connect students in need with quick solutions for basic items.
If you know students needing hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.), click below to complete our request form. Our Program Director will contact you within 24-28 hours!
Back to School Fair
Our annual Back to School Fair supplies backpacks and school supplies for hundreds of local students each year. Click on the button below for information about our upcoming Back to School Fair.
Food2Schools
WEEKEND FOOD SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
In partnership with Lake Chelan and Manson School Districts, Thrive Chelan Valley offers weekend food support for school-aged students. We are currently supply 167 meal bags each week to Manson and Chelan students. If you would like to help with this program, please email jennie@thrivechelanvalley.com.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Time
Volunteer your time to shop and/or transport necessities for students in need in the Lake Chelan Valley.
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Donations
Your donations help us buy items for children in need and fund necessities like driver's education, dental work, school/sports fees, and other financial obstacles.
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Resources
Donate new/gently used tangible items such as sports equipment, clothing, furniture, hygiene products, as well as food.