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THRIVE ON! Expands Early Thrivers Program to Three Tracks
THRIVE ON! Network Inc. (THRIVE ON!) has announced a major expansion of its Early Thrivers program, introducing new pathways that allow more young people to step into leadership and shape community transformation.
Launched in 2024, Early Thrivers began as THRIVE ON!’s pilot program to equip youth with the tools, training, and opportunities to build projects that respond directly to community needs. Now entering its next phase, the program has grown into a three-track model that reflects the diversity of ways young people can become leaders.
July 3, 2025
Three Tracks of Early Thrivers
Stewardship Track
THRIVE ON!’s original model, the Stewardship track, engages local Kingston youth in leading neighborhood-based initiatives. It was through this track that Early Thrivers launched their first major project: the PonckHockie Market, a youth-led response to food insecurity in one of Kingston’s food deserts.Curriculum-to-Community Track
Through a partnership with the University at Albany School of Social Welfare, social work students became Early Thrivers by transforming their academic coursework into hands-on community practice. This track connected higher education to grassroots realities, producing groundbreaking reports on local economic and food system gaps.Adjunct Track
The newest pathway, the Adjunct track, allows youth from existing youth service organizations to officially become Early Thrivers by contributing to THRIVE ON!’s initiatives. This model creates meaningful collaboration with partner organizations, ensuring their young people gain leadership experience while advancing THRIVE ON!’s community projects.
Growing the Movement
“This expansion shows how adaptable the Early Thrivers model really is,” said Keyvious Avery, President of THRIVE ON!. “Whether youth come from local neighborhoods, universities, or partner organizations, they all become Early Thrivers. What unites them is their leadership, their creativity, and their commitment to building a stronger community.”
With the addition of the Adjunct track, THRIVE ON! is opening the door for even more youth to join its movement—proving that leadership can take many forms, but always begins with the belief that young people have the power to transform systems.
About THRIVE ON!
THRIVE ON! is a youth-driven nonprofit based in Kingston, NY. Through its Early Thrivers program and Rootwork incubator, THRIVE ON! equips young people and grassroots leaders to design, build, and lead the solutions their communities need.