Background
Established in 2001, Thrive is an organization providing a variety of services for resilient youth and young adults struggling with poverty and accessing mainstream services and programs in NL. Through building community partnerships, Thrive seeks to connect relationally with marginalized youth to increase their awareness of existing and available programs while supporting them as they access them. They provide services through Street Reach, Educational Initiatives (Youth at Promise and high school equivalency preparation programs), Coalition against Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CASEY-working to address issues of sexual exploitation) and Blue Door (providing for youth who have experience in sex trade and sexual exploitation who are seeking support. Their vision is “Meeting vulnerable individuals where they are, helping them go where they want to go, and supporting them to be who they want to be.”
For details see: https://www.thrivecyn.ca
Definition of Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice is a way of being that understands and exemplifies that all people have value and are to be honoured. Restoration occurs when all people are heard, so that equal opportunities and equitable responses can be provided.
Demographic Served
Thrive engages with youth and young adults between the ages of 16-29 years of age; Street Reach and Blue Door work with people 16 and up; the Education programs work with individuals 16-29, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, class and/or ability.
Services
Thrive approaches its programming through a restorative lens, providing relationship-based programs that are flexible, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive. When harm and conflict occur within the organization amongst participants and/or employees, their policies embrace a restorative justice process to guide those involved to resolution.
Thrive’s Street Reach program includes a number of supports and services, most notably downtown outreach walks, a weekly community meal (Thursdays 5-8 pm), and drop-in supports (Monday-Thursday 10-4 pm, Fridays 12:30-4 pm). Individuals can access supportive conversations, a phone to make calls, or wifi, as well as individual support coordination where appropriate. For weekly meal details, check the Facebook page (facebook.com/thrivecyn).
The low-barrier educational programs work outside the mainstream school system and provide opportunities for learning foundational, as well as grade 7-12 curriculum for people who have left school before they have graduated. Support includes small class sizes, and wraparound supports from a dedicated Outreach Coordinator.
The Blue Door program offers wraparound supports for people who have experience within the sex trade and/or with sexual exploitation, including housing supports, individual supportive counseling, arts-based groups, and peer support.
Information provided
June 8, 2023