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Hello friends and partners,
Welcome to our Winter newsletter. As we reflect on the fall and early winter months, we begin by sharing ways you can get involved and support our efforts. We are also taking this time to honor recent losses our community has experienced. This season has brought both grief and resilience, and we continue to hold space for those we’ve lost while supporting one another. In this edition, we share community updates, and recent highlights.
- Ways to get involved: Help Us Meet Urgent Needs
- Meet Sandy B, one of the people making a difference every day
- Honoring the Life of Z Acey
- Celebrating the Light of Ben “Benjie / Sparkles” McComas
- On the Road: Drug Policy Alliance Conference in November
- Resilience & Resistance: Harm Reduction Ohio Conference in December
- Highlights from our 3rd Annual Holiday Party and Brunch
| | Ways You Can Help This Winter | | |
We’re incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of our community. Last month, we received a full pallet of warm clothing generously donated by Universitytees. While this support makes a huge difference, our clothing items move fast, especially during the colder months.
We are still in need of essential items including:
- Period Products
- Winter Gloves
- Belts
- Boots
- Thermal Layers
We’re also collecting pet supplies such as dog food, treats, toys, beds, and blankets to support a participant who recently rescued a young dog from a very difficult situation and is currently between jobs.
In addition, old or unused cell phones remain an ongoing need to help participants stay connected and safe. You can reach out to us directly at 216.598.5647 or click on the link below.
| | Volunteer Highlight - Sandy B. | | |
We wouldn’t be where we are without our dedicated volunteers, and Sandy is a wonderful example of the care they bring to Thrive for Change.
Sandy began volunteering in April 2025 during our Kit Building Days and quickly became a go-to for organizing our donation room. She brings kindness, warmth, and a genuine willingness to help every time she’s here. Outside of volunteering, Sandy is a devoted mom, and it’s clear that the same love she has for her two sons shows up in everything she does.
When asked what keeps her coming back, Sandy shared:
"From the first time I walked in for a kit building afternoon, the staff was so heartwarmingly kind to me, but once I volunteered during Open Service Hours, I saw how caring and helpful the staff were with participants and I was hooked. I'm so proud to be part of such an amazing group that does so much for so many!"
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| | Remembering Z. Acey, our former Participant Engagement Specialist | |
Z worked with us at Thrive for Change for just under a year, but even in that short amount of time he made a significant impact on our team and in the community. Z helped launch a weekly support meeting that created a safe space for community and social support for people impacted by drug use and mental illness.
When speaking on hard topics, it was clear Z believed in broadening our conversations beyond individual responsibility and preventing worse case scenarios. His words highlighted that by shifting our focus away from internal isolation and despair, we can look outward to the people around us and together create the world we wish to see. Our team will be keeping this with us as we remember Z and wish his loved ones peace and healing during this time of grief.
Z. Acey, departed this life on November 21st, 2025.
| | | | Remembering Ben "Benjie/Sparkles" McComas | | |
Benjie, age 27, died Sunday, December 14, 2025. Benjie was incredibly creative and talented. They were a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and those facing homelessness.
Benjie volunteered and collaborated with Thrive for Change many times over the last several years. Their light and passion will be deeply missed. You can learn more about their life, legacy, loved ones, and ways to honor Benjie here:
The Buckeye Flame - Benji McComas – 12/14/2025
Busch Funeral Homes - Benjamin A. McComas Obituary
| | Drug Policy Alliance Conference in November | | |
“Despite the cold, the venue was vibrating with excitement to engage and strategize on how to end the global drug war. Approximately 1,800 people attended, with 15 percent from Detroit and many from communities all over the world. The majority 70 percent were attending for the first time.
Bringing this to Detroit may not have been easy, but the local activists, community members and grassroots organizations that pushed for it would see the international event as a reflection of their city: full of grit, resilience and fight.”
- Filter Magazine
| | Thrive for Change Takes on Columbus – Harm Reduction Ohio Conference 2025! | | |
For the first time, our entire team had the opportunity to attend the Harm Reduction Ohio Conference on December 4th and 5th.
Throughout the two-day conference, the team participated in a variety of breakout sessions, connected with peers from across the country, and learned from panels covering a wide range of harm reduction topics.
This year’s theme, Resistance and Resilience, highlighted the strength, adaptability, and collective power of communities and organizations working to save lives and reduce harm. We returned energized, informed, and inspired to continue this work alongside our community.
| | | Thrive for Change's 3rd Annual Holiday Party and Brunch | | |
In December, we hosted our annual Holiday Party and Brunch sponsored by United Healthcare at No Class to accommodate the growing number of community members who have joined us over the past few years and we had such a great time.
Even with a wind chill near zero degrees, we still had over 60 attendees throughout the day. We’re so grateful to everyone who came out, especially braving the cold to celebrate with us. We honored 15 volunteers and partners through our Change Maker Awards and had 8 raffle basket winners!
Shout out to Steadfast Health for sponsoring our coffee bar this year featuring coffee from local Dahlia Coffee!
We look forward to many more opportunities to gather, connect, and build community in the year ahead.
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About Thrive for Change:
Our mission is to promote health, hope, and healing for individuals at risk of overdose & their loved ones through education, collaboration, advocacy, and direct service.
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