Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Take Note.
‘Tis the Season to Thrive: Supporting a School Where Home and Education Meet
As the holiday season approaches, students and teachers across the greater Baton Rouge area eagerly prepare for festive parties and winter break. However, the holiday season also marks the beginning of holiday fundraising and philanthropic efforts from the Thrive Foundation. As a branch of the local boarding school, Thrive Academy, the Foundation has several ways they support and advance the school’s mission during the holidays.
Thrive Academy was founded in 2011 and currently has 180 students grades 6-12. Their mission is to serve under-resourced communities, including low-income households and unhoused children. Thrive Foundation offers extended support to the school building, students, teachers, and families of the academy. The foundation’s Executive Director, Morgan Hilliard, explains their day-to-day work is “outward-facing,” ensuring in-ward facing resources are available to cultivate a healthy learning environment.
Thrive Giving Day, on December 12th, is one of two holiday fundraising events hosted by Thrive Foundation. Donations raised at these events enable academy staff and social workers to create holiday gift bags for students to take home on break. These bags typically include a toy or book, snacks, and a “journal to help students write their feelings,” according to Joanne Sellars, Development Director. The Foundation’s social work team also organizes the Holiday Family Project, providing 3-5 Thrive families with Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents.
The Thrive Foundation recently held its Kendra Scott Gives Back Night early this month, where 20% of event profits went directly to the organization. These events and regular donations help the school provide basic needs for students throughout the year, especially students who stay on campus during holiday breaks.
Although there are unique challenges to being a boarding school, Thrive Academy and the Thrive Foundation focus on providing exciting holiday traditions for all students. At Thrive Academy, there are mentors residing on campus dedicated to ensuring the safety and supervision of students who may opt to stay during school breaks.One of the traditions students can participate in includes decorating the Christmas tree at the Home Bank Corporate location. Home Bank sponsors Thrive Academy and hosts a private event for juniors and seniors to create ornaments, drink hot chocolate, and more.
Outside of monetary donations, coveted items during the holiday season include toiletries and Christmas gifts. Donors can visit the Thrive Foundation website to make a contribution or consider volunteering. Donating to the Thrive Foundation means supporting a school where home and education meet. They focus on high-performing education while equipping students with the life skills they need to stay successful beyond the Thrive Academy campus.
