About THRIVE
Teens' Health, Readiness, Independence, Vitality, and Education. A student-led nonprofit initiative in Bakersfield, California.
Our story
At THRIVE, we bring our fellow high schoolers the things school just doesn't teach enough: general health (nutrition and preventative care), financial literacy, mental health, college readiness, and real AI literacy: not just knowing AI exists, but understanding how it actually works. All of it, in a single session.
We built this for the underserved, students who haven't had the chance to learn this yet, and who deserve to.
We think of it as planting a seed. It won't grow into a fruit-bearing tree overnight, but it will sprout, and slowly, surely, grow into something far more abundant.
Where we are right now: THRIVE is in its early stages. We're currently establishing ourselves under a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship and planning our very first event. Much of what you see here will grow as we do.
The curriculum
Every THRIVE event is built around five tables. Each one is run by a lead and a small volunteer team, and each is designed so you leave with something you can actually use.
What every table will have. Each pillar gets its own speaker, someone who actually works in that field and can answer real questions. Alongside them you'll find informational flyers, take-home resources, and hands-on activities, so you leave with more than a conversation. Nothing at a THRIVE table is a lecture you sit through.
A combination of nutrition and preventative health. We cover the basics most people are expected to already know, and are rarely actually taught.
The money mechanics that show up the moment you get your first paycheck, and the traps that are designed to catch you before you know they exist.
Practical, non-clinical guidance on managing the pressure high school actually puts on you, plus clear direction on where to turn when it's more than you should carry alone.
If you need help now: call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24 hours a day. THRIVE volunteers are students, not clinicians. We point you toward real support, we don't replace it.
An honest overview of how the process really works, from students who are going through it right now.
Everyone knows AI exists. Far fewer people know what it's actually doing. We go past the surface: how these systems really work, and how to use them in conjunction with your own creativity and intellect rather than as a substitute for it.
Who we are
THRIVE is founded and run entirely by high school students.
President
Founder & Executive Lead
Founder & Executive Lead
Four lead roles keep each event running.
In charge of social media accounts, promotion, and spreading awareness.
Clinical outreach, funding asks, and organizing funding campaigns. Communicates directly with our fiscal sponsor.
Booth decoration, incentives, and event materials. Maintains the detailed list of what funds are required for what, to send to our fiscal sponsor.
Finding and communicating with potential speakers, keeping executives in the conversation throughout.
How decisions get made right now. As the organization is in its early stages and our first event is being planned, all executives must approve anything proposed by the respective leads. Once approved by whichever executive was approached, the proposal goes to the President before anything moves forward. As we become accustomed to the process, these conformities will no longer be required.
