By Matthew Sotlar / The Jambar
Thrive 10:10 is a local nonprofit organization that serves the greater Youngstown community.
Founded in 2021, Thrive 10:10 has a simple mission statement, “Relief, recovery and restoration through relationships and education.” Located in Girard, Thrive 10:10 strives to help families by providing clothing, toiletries and mental health aid.
Operations Director Meghan DeGregory said Thrive 10:10 began as a church organization before expanding into Thrive 10:10
“Thrive 10:10 is a way for us to honor the roots of the first program that we had, Ruth’s Boutique,” DeGregory said. “It started at Girard First United Methodist Church … although we are not a church program anymore, we wanted to honor where our roots were.”
Ruth’s Boutique dates back to 2019. The program offers necessities such as clothing and personal items, though DeGregory said they have added other items.
“What we’ve seen that as people begin to come to Ruth’s Boutique and receive things like shampoo, basic hygiene supplies, but we’ve also expanded out into things that people really like to have as well. We have some jewelry, we have toys and puzzles for the kids,” DeGregory said.
DeGregory added that expanding inventory helps people feel more comfortable shopping.
“We have found that as we do that, it helps reinforce someone’s dignity,” DeGregory said. “You come in, you’re able to shop for free for items that you want that really meet your needs but also your individualities.”
In addition to Ruth’s Boutique, Thrive 10:10 offers a financial literacy course, Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World. DeGregory said this program helps others become more self-aware of their finances.
“That’s a 16-week class that talks to people not only about financial literacy, but also about what our resources are, what our strengths are, how to leverage those, and as people go through that process, then they can mentor people who are coming into our next Getting Ahead class,” DeGregory said.
Thrive 10:10 also provides Mental Health First Aid. DeGregory said that while mental health can be a difficult subject for some, it is important to spread awareness.
“We provide Mental Health First Aid classes … which allows everyone to feel as though they can talk about things that most people don’t talk about. There’s so much stigma around mental health. Many people don’t want to talk about it,” DeGregory said.
DeGregory said Thrive 10:10 always accepts donations.
“We definitely appreciate donations,” DeGregory said. “We do have a partnership with Project MKC which provides a lot of our diapers and feminine hygiene products. But as far as the shampoo, the men’s products, all those kinds of things, many times are donated.”
Thrive 10:10 also holds pop-up sites to provide either food or a mobile Ruth’s Boutique.
“We seem to have really established some good relationships,” DeGregory said. “We go regularly to Easterseals, several Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority buildings, and we also go regularly to Healthnetwork [Foundation] on the northside of Youngstown.”
Those interested in learning more or volunteering for Thrive 10:10 can visit their website, thriveneighbors.org.