January 2024 Joy Connection

Meaningful Connections Abound at Retail Orphan Initiative's SuperSaturday in NYC

Thrive in Joy kicked off the new year by attending Retail Orphan Initiative’s (RetailROI, Inc.) SuperSaturday in New York City on January 13th. Sponsored primarily by technology companies providing solutions for the retail industry, this year's sold-out annual event raised over $300,000. Read More >

Club Thrive in Joy Students Plan Spring Entrepreneurial Social Impact Projects

A total of 66 Club Thrive in Joy student members across three Los Angeles high schools are busy planning their spring student-led Entrepreneurial Social Impact Projects (ESIPs). Student leaders have chosen themes of safety and emergency preparedness (USC Hybrid High College Prep), support for foster youth and social workers (Esperanza High College Prep), and men's mental health (Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High). The goal is to serve over 500 individuals through these initiatives focused on pressing needs within the students' communities.

USC Students Can't Wait to Reconnect with DR Friends This March

On March 9, returning and new Alternative Spring Break team members from the USC Caruso Catholic Center along with Thrive in Joy leaders will depart for the Dominican Republic. Thanks to our partnership with Casa Misionera, our team of 14 volunteers will experience a week of life-changing service. We'll be building reading centers and interacting with the students at Tia Tatiana School (as shown in photo) and creating a special day of joy for the youth at the Remar Orphanage.

Hugo Sanchez, Director of Finance, LA Promise Fund, Joins Thrive in Joy’s Executive Board as Treasurer

Thrive in Joy is thrilled to welcome Hugo Sanchez as our newest Board Member and Treasurer. As the Director of Finance at LA Promise Fund, Hugo is responsible for accounting and financial management activities across the organization and Westbrook Academy. In his volunteer position with Thrive in Joy, Hugo brings over 15 years experience in finance, consulting with institutional clients, as well as director roles for organizations focused on youth. We look forward to all Hugo will be contributing to our mission!

Reflections

From Mary Fagnano, Nick's mom, Thrive in Joy Co-Founder and Executive Director

Creating gratitude jars is one of our C11 program activities. Students fill small containers with pieces of colored paper on which they write all the things and people for which they are thankful. Consider this reflection my virtual January gratitude jar filled with all the connections that added a rainbow of positivity to my life during this first month of the new year. I’m grateful for the time with my mom, my five siblings, their spouses, nieces, nephews, nephew-in-laws… and a grandniece… during our annual Epiphany family gathering. The gratitude extends to seeing so many old friends and meeting new ones at the annual RetailROI SuperSaturday event in New York. I'm also grateful for having time in NYC to have lunch with Drew, who joined us on our first USC Caruso Catholic Center trip to the Dominican Republic back in 2017. It was powerful to hear from Drew how Nick has had an impact on his life. I’m grateful for the inspired gathering I was part of last week when nonprofits and small businesses joined together at South LA Café for the USC-sponsored “A Purpose Driven Year” workshop.

Other moments of January gratitude included discussing our March DR trip with Nelson, reconnecting with Club Thrive in Joy students as they plan their spring Entrepreneurial Social Impact Projects, gaining insights from foundation program managers who are interested in learning more about Thrive in Joy’s work. I'm grateful for strategic conversations with our staff and two consultants, and for dinners and lunches with friends, as well as conversations with Jay over late night dinners at the end of long days. And then there was that drizzly January Saturday morning when we received the gift of Nick’s tree from Ryan Jones at Ace Hotel…. but that’s a story for next month’s newsletter! I can gratefully say that this month I’ve been positively impacted by at least 62 meaningful, unduplicated human interactions…something AI will never replace! May your gratitude jar be colored with meaningful conversations in the months ahead affirming you are filling the gratitude jars of others as well!

DONATE

CONTACT:

Mary Fagnano, Executive Director

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 213.220.4686

thriveinjoy.org