July Newsletter

Stolen in the Night, Recovered with Your Help

In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 5, our outreach van was stolen from our parking lot. For a moment, we were faced with the heartbreaking thought that it might be gone for good.

This van isn’t just a vehicle. It’s a five-year dream made real. It’s a mobile lifeline that brings naloxone, wound care, hygiene kits, and other harm reduction supplies directly to people who need them most.

Thanks to the power of community, the van was eventually recovered. Over 12,000 views and 150 shares of our social media posts and stories helped spread the word and because of you, the van is back home.

We’ve also received generous donations to help replace what was taken. If you’d like to support that effort, use the link below.

Thank you for standing with us. Your support keeps us going, literally.

Harm Reduction Funding is Under Threat, How You Can Help:

Yesterday, an executive order was signed to further criminalize and institutionalize people who are unhoused, use drugs, and face mental illness. It also attempts to defund harm reduction programs like ours along with housing first efforts.

This kind of policy causes real harm. It increases stigma, ignores what works, and threatens the trust and safety we’ve built. It puts our work and the lives of the people we serve at serious risk.

So far this year, our efforts have resulted in at least 50 lives saved and hundreds connected to medical and behavioral health resources. Here are ways that you can support our harm reduction efforts today:

• Purchase items from our Amazon Wish List
• Become a monthly or one-time financial supporter
• Volunteer with us
• Donate clothing or supplies

There are many options to help us make an impact, whether you’re shopping from our wishlists, contributing to one of our campaigns, donating supplies or volunteering. Reach out if you have questions about our work and ways to offer support. We love creative ideas!

Vote to help Thrive for Change win funding!

The Solomon Cleveland Give a Chance (GAC) Charitable Lottery Program is back, offering prizes up to $10,000 to participating nonprofits.

Last year, we won $5,000, and we're hoping to win again this year with your help!

Voting is open from August 1st through August 31st! You can vote once a day. It takes less than a minute. The more daily votes we get, the better our chances of winning.

We will send out a couple of reminders throughout the month with the link to vote.

Team Updates

Help us welcome Dylan Brown

to the team!

Wax Mage 10th Anniversary Festival

Cleveland’s own Wax Mage from Gotta Groove Records’ custom vinyl division just celebrated 10 years of turning records into works of art. Known for bold, experimental designs, Wax Mage has built a national reputation while staying true to its local roots.

The anniversary bash lit up The Grog Shop with live music, local vendors, and a packed house of vinyl lovers. Thrive for Change was proud to be part of the celebration, sharing resources and reminding folks that nightlife and harm reduction go hand in hand.

Gotta Groove was also named Cleveland Scene’s Best Local Record Label this year, solidifying its place in the heart of the 216’s music scene.