THRIVE! Enrichment Services is a nonprofit startup that will serve individuals who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (I/DD) with comorbid challenging behaviors and their families. THRIVE! will provide a variety of programs and services, including day habilitation, life skills instruction, vocational education, behavioral intervention, clinical services, a mobile crisis response team and recreational opportunities to affected individuals and the people who love and care for them.
Mission
The mission of THRIVE! Enrichment Services is to provide the resources, supports and interventions that individuals who have challenging behaviors (CB) as a comorbidity to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) need to lead productive, meaningful and fulfilling lives with the greatest degree of self-determination and independence possible.
Our Services
Please note that our services and programs are not currently accepting participants. THRIVE! Enrichment Services is a startup organization and we are currently raising funds to secure an appropriate facility to house our agency and serve as a site for our services and programs. Please help us do this as quickly as possible by supporting us with a donation or by volunteering.
Behavior Management
THRIVE! will provide evidence-based behavior management services designed to reduce the frequency, severity, intensity and duration of challenging behaviors.
Clinical Therapies
THRIVE! will offer a selection of clinical therapies, including speech therapy, occupational therapy and communication therapy that focuses on the effective use of assistive technology and augmentative and alternative (AAC) communication systems.
Creative and Expressive Therapies
THRIVE! will offer a variety of creative and expressive therapies, including art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, dance therapy and recreational therapy.
Crisis Intervention
THRIVE! will operate a behavior crisis hotline and a mobile crisis intervention unit that will travel to homes and community sites to provide emergency behavior de-escalation services.
Our Programs
Please note that our services and programs are not currently accepting participants. THRIVE! Enrichment Services is a startup organization and we are currently raising funds to secure an appropriate facility to house our agency and serve as a site for our services and programs. Please help us do this as quickly as possible by supporting us with a donation or by volunteering.
Day Habilitation
THRIVE! will provide intensive habilitation programs that focus on achieving independence in activities of daily living and developing functional communication skills.
Vocational Training
THRIVE! will provide vocational training to prepare participants for competitive work and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Family Support
THRIVE! will provide counseling, resources, respite and support for families and caregivers.
Recreation
THRIVE! will provide a variety of recreational, social and leisure activities for individuals with challenging behaviors and their families in a supportive, judgement-free environment.
We Are Recipients of the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency
We are proud to announce that THRIVE! Enrichment Services has earned a 2022
Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. In order to earn this distinction, THRIVE! had to share information about its mission, programs, strategies, goals, capabilities, metrics, progress and leadership.
The Platinum Seal of Transparency designation is awarded to charities that
demonstrate the highest level of commitment to fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. Visit our profile on GuideStar to view in-depth information about our organization and to see why THRIVE! is worthy of our donors’ confidence, support and generosity.
Support Our GoFundMe Fundraiser
THRIVE! is raising funds to purchase and customize a property to operate our programs. Please donate to our GoFundMe fundraiser, share it on your social media pages and encourage others who care about people who have autism or I/DD with comorbid challenging behaviors to do so as well.
Help THRIVE! Obtain a Home
THRIVE! Enrichment Services needs a facility to house our programs and services, as well as to serve as a base for our operations. We have identified some potential properties that would work well for the work we are determined to accomplish. They are located on the Far South Side of Chicago and are in the $1,000,000 range.
In order to provide site-based services, it is absolutely crucial that we acquire a property that has the necessary room to provide classes, training, treatment, therapies, counseling, respite, family and caregiver support, a Creators’ Lab, a Makers’ Studio, a microbusiness incubator and recreational facilities, as well as various occupational and vocational activities. We will also need offices, meeting rooms, a cafeteria, an auditorium, examining rooms for our medical and dental providers, and de-escalation spaces. We are asking for a lot, but that’s what it takes when you are committed to doing a lot of good work.
We have both lofty ambitions and high aspirations, and we need your help to accomplish our goals. There are a number of ways you can support our goal of obtaining a suitable property. You can make a donation on our website. You can donate to our GoFundMe fundraiser. You can make a donation through various platforms, including PayPal, Benevity, DOJIGGY, Givebutter, Givelify, and JustGiving. You can donate to THRIVE! Enrichment Services through numerous other means that are outlined on our “Help Us THRIVE!” page. You can raise funds for us on Facebook, Instagram, Streamlabs or Tiltify. You can also recommend us for a grant.
If you have an appropriately zoned commercial property you are willing to donate or if you know of someone who does, please consider donating it to us. We are especially interested in buildings that have been used as schools, churches and social service facilities that are accessible for individuals who have physical disabilities. We would be very grateful for any assistance, support or funding you are willing to give us. The sooner we get the facility we need, the sooner we can begin providing direct, in-person services to individuals and families that are affected by autism or I/DD with comorbid challenging behaviors.
Let the World Know You Support Inclusion of People who have Challenging Behaviors
THRIVE! wants to start a movement to fully include people who have challenging behaviors in all aspects of life and in every facet of society. Every human being deserves an opportunity to fully participate in, contribute to and benefit from all that the world has to offer. People who have Autism or I/DD with comorbid challenging behaviors are no exception. Proudly wear or carry your support for THRIVE! and for the full inclusion of people who have challenging behaviors by purchasing official THRIVE! gear from our online store. We sell a large selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, face masks, tote bags and mugs in a variety of colors and designs. Bonfire will donate a portion of the proceeds from every sale to help support our work. Purchase your gear today and join the THRIVE! Tribe!
Why Illinois Families Need THRIVE!
Regina Y.
Case Worker
“During my nearly ten years as a case worker in Illinois, I have seen firsthand why a facility like THRIVE! is so important. After watching families struggle with challenging behaviors, it has become apparent that the programs available to children and adults with disabilities in Illinois are seriously lacking in their ability to address these issues. THRIVE! is a welcome addition, with a mission that will bring hope to a system that has long ignored the more demanding end of disability services!”
Monica B.
Mom of a Disabled Adult
“As the mother a disabled adult child, I have personally experienced the impact of the critical lack of resources for adults with disabilities in the state of Illinois, particularly the Chicago area. THRIVE! will provide vital services that will enable families who have loved ones with challenging behaviors to remain both intact and within the state of Illinois.”
Mitzi W.
Nurse and Teacher
“Having worked with individuals with challenging behaviors as both a psychiatric nurse and a special education teacher, I am very excited about the work THRIVE! will be doing, especially with regard to providing access to vocational and leisure activities, as well as opportunities for community engagement.”
Diane B.
Mom and Retired Teacher
“As a parent of an adult son who is on the autism spectrum, I believe THRIVE! will make a positive difference in the everyday lives of countless individuals and families that contend with challenging behaviors.”
