May Newsletter

We're Expanding Our Team:

We’re seeking new board members to help guide our critical harm reduction work!

If you’re passionate about public health, social justice, and creating real change for people impacted by the overdose crisis, we want YOU.

What You’ll Do:

-Advocate for harm reduction & community health

-Support fundraising & resource development

-Help shape our strategic vision & offer guidance

Applications are open now! Whether you’re in Cleveland or California, local and remote applicants are welcome to apply.

Send a cover letter and resume to broebuck@thrive4change.org.

Please share this with your networks and help us spread the word!

Help us welcome Morgan Lute!

Help us welcome AJ Messer!

AJ is from North Ridgeville, OH, is passionate about giving back to the community. He began his journey with Thrive for Change as a volunteer at our kit-building parties and now serves as our Harm Reduction Specialist.

With personal living experience, AJ brings deep empathy and understanding to his work. He shares that he never wants others to face the struggles he’s seen and experienced—and hopes to be the kind of support he once needed. His dedication to harm reduction is rooted in compassion, and we’re grateful to have him on the team.

Mobile Outreach, Maximum Impact

We are excited to announce the arrival of our very own outreach vehicle made possible through funding from OhioMHAS! This new ride allows us to deliver harm reduction supplies, education, and support directly to the community, truly meeting people where they are. We've been using our personal vehicles to do this work for years, spending hours loading and unloading each week, so this is huge for us to increase our capacity.



Thanks to the support of our funders, partners, and everyone who believes in our mission, we’re hitting the road to expand our impact across Cuyahoga County and beyond. Follow us on Instagram to keep up with our mobile outreach impact.

Helping End The HIV Epidemic

We Now Offer HIV Prevention Services!

Thanks to funding from the AIDS Funding Collaborative (AFC) and CCBH’s End The HIV Epidemic initiative, we have expanded our harm reduction work to include free, low-barrier HIV prevention.

Since February, we’ve fully integrated HIV services into our street outreach efforts several days a week throughout Cleveland. So far, we have:

• Performed 52 rapid HIV tests

• Re-engaged 4 people in HIV care for viral suppression

• Helped 2 people newly diagnosed get connected to treatment

• Linked 12 individuals to PrEP

• Distributed 200+ safe sex kits

This expansion is already making an impact, and we’re just getting started. We’re proud to provide compassionate, judgment-free care to reduce new infections and support long-term wellness in our community. Email our HIV Outreach Specialist DaShayla Bradford for more details on this program.

Join Us May 25th to Support Thrive for Change!

We are excited to be part of the 7th Annual Soil & Suds event on Saturday, May 25 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Forest City Brewery! Hosted by Variegate Design and The A.I.D. Plant Sale, this high-energy community celebration brings together plant lovers, local vendors, and neighbors from across Northeast Ohio all in support of Thrive for Change and Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.

Every dollar raised goes directly toward advancing harm reduction, public health, and wellness in our communities. We’ll be there handing out free harm reduction supplies and sharing essential, life-saving info on how to recognize and respond to an overdose. Come out, grab a plant, meet some amazing people, and support the work that’s making a real difference. We can’t wait to see you there!

Volunteers Needed This Pride Season!

We'll need volunteers to assist with rapid naloxone training and to help distribute harm reduction supplies throughout each celebration. Join us in spreading love, safety, and support because harm reduction has a place at Pride!