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Hello friends and partners,
Following the federal funding freeze that was initiated several weeks ago, four of our critical government funded grants totaling over $100,000 were delayed, paused, or put on hold.
As of this morning, we've finally been given the go ahead from our funders to move forward and continue activities as planned. Unfortunately, the reality is that this could happen again. As we continue to diversify our funding, support from our community will help us be less reliant on the government to keep our critical harm reduction work going.
This newsletter shares different ways to support our work and some exciting updates. We know we're not the only organization facing challenges, so even if it isn't to support Thrive for Change, we encourage you to give back to your community however you can right now.
Thank you to everyone who’s already contributed over the last few weeks! Together, we are strong and we will get through these uncertain times.
Sincerely,
Bethany Roebuck
Executive Director
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Ways to Support Thrive for Change | |
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Hygiene, Wound Care, and Safer Use Supplies Campaign:
We’re raising $750 for our participants to have access to safer use materials like syringes, wound care, and personal hygiene items for the next several months.
Every donation of $3 or more can help us meet immediate needs and promote dignity, health, and safety for one of our participants.
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Hot Meals Campaign:
We’re raising $2,000 which will support hot meals our outreach participants for 6 months. Every $2 donated supports one meal!
This basic needs support is a vital component to our program as many participants don’t have regular access to nutritious food. Funds will be used to buy ingredients, utensils, and meal containers.
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General Operating Support Campaign:
We’re raising $30,000 to help sustain our work as government funding shifts, impacting our ability to stay responsive.
Your support ensures we can continue providing naloxone, outreach, and critical services without interruption.
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Learn How to Save Lives: Join Us
for Harm Reduction 101
Training, March 11th at 6:00pm
Join us for a virtual education opportunity presented by people with lived experience, overdose survivors, and experts in the field of Harm Reduction. Harm Reduction 101 is a comprehensive webinar about drugs, drug safety, and looking at our society's anti-drug culture from a social justice lens. The goal is for you to walk away with more than what you came with, and the confidence to continue to learn with an open mind.
This webinar also includes training on how to respond to an overdose with naloxone nasal spray.
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Announcing Free Mail Order Syringe Access! | |
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Thrive for Change is excited to launch the first mail-based syringe service program (SSP) in Ohio in partnership with The Centers Harm Reduction Team. Through this service, people who use drugs in Ohio can access a month's supply of syringes and other harm reduction supplies for free by mail.
Modeled after the long standing successful efforts of NEXT Distro, this program has been in development for years and is now possible thanks to input and support from many partners around the state. We will be prioritizing people with the greatest needs and highest risk factors, focusing on those with limited to no access to supplies in their local community.
Due to limited resources, we are currently only able to ship 25 orders per month. Through additional donations and grants, we hope to expand this program very soon.
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HIV Testing and Care Referral Services | |
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Thanks to funding from The AIDS Funding Collaborative and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, we now offer on-site HIV testing along with referrals for HIV care and prevention. This has created a critical access point for at risk individuals with a provider they already know and trust.
Since launching these efforts in November, we’ve been able to help ensure 3 individuals with HIV were connected to care. Two weeks ago, we started on-site testing at our office and during outreach resulting in 16 individuals being tested so far. This is a brand new service for us and we are excited about the positive impact this is going to have on our participants and the community.
For more details on these services, reach out to Shay, our HIV Outreach Specialist.
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Help Us Welcome Taylor Massey
to the Team!
Advisory Board Project Coordinator
Taylor originally joined Thrive for Change as a volunteer, helping with our Kit Building Days, weekly outreach, and special events over the last year.
Now, in her new role as our Advisory Board Project Coordinator, Taylor will be responsible for establishing a local advisory board of people who use drugs and those with lived experience. This group will assist in planning local efforts to reduce overdose fatalities and elevate the voices and needs of those impacted.
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March 8th - A Night of Music & Impact | |
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Join us for "Walking Each Other Home" A House Show for a Cause, an intimate house show supporting Thrive for Change and our harm reduction efforts organized by our volunteer Dylan! Enjoy a night of live music, community, and purpose all while making a direct impact.
Location: University Heights - Address provided upon RSVP
Tickets: $15, or $12 with a donation of socks, undershirts, underwear, hygiene supplies, or a non-perishable food item.
RSVP now to secure your spot and we will see you there!
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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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