MPN Question:
Tell us about your company and how you got started. THRIVE
is a community based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides
children with the necessary tools for success. Working in collaboration
with fire fighters, police officers, teachers and other community
mentors, the organization's mission is to build strong, confident and
tolerant generations. Through hands on, interactive programs at the
grade school level, THRIVE begins to build the foundation for making
good choices.
Before
the programs was created, 75 Georgia grade school teachers, 25 police
officers, 35 fire fighters, and 50 parents were asked to choose what
areas they would like to see "tackled" first. Their top seven responses
were: Violence & Anger, Personal Safety, Tolerance,
Cultural & Disabilities Understanding, Self
Esteem, Community Involvement & Citizenship, and Drugs & Alcohol. From
their suggestions and a very diverse focus group, the first year's goals
and programs were established.
I started
the organization in the fall of 2001 after seeing so many gaps and
needs within my own children's elementary school and the
community. Both my husband and I have served in many executive
capacities for our PTA, and my husband is a City of Atlanta Fire
Fighter. I had spent the past 16 years working professionally to provide
funding and program delivery for various local, national and
international non-profit organizations, and I have seen the gaps within
each of them as well. I finally decided to take all of my knowledge and
resources and begin THRIVE.
MPN Question:
What were some of the hurdles you faced in launching your business?
I think one of the biggest hurdles was sorting through the priorities.
There are so many programs and services needed for children today, that
narrowing the initial focus was very difficult. Once that was done,
and community collaborations were formed, the devastation of September
11 took place, and funding became near to impossible. We are just now
seeing funding appear.
MPN Question:
How successful have you been, and what has been the key to your success?
Because we are in the initial stages of program delivery, our success
stories are just beginning. I hope that by late summer, I can give you
hundreds! I know that key to my success will be that I am a mother. I
believe strongly in everything that I have started for this
organization, and I want to see our youth grow strong and confident
through compassion and tolerance.
MPN Question:
What are your target markets? We are piloting this program in
the Bermar/Norcross Cluster in Gwinnett County. This particular area
has six targeted grade schools that are excessively overcrowded, have
large populations of children who face cultural and racial bias. Many
of the children have parents who are non-English speaking, and their
participation in their children's lives is minimal. Many are latchkey
children, and a great number of them are from single-family homes. Per
capita, the diversity of needs within this cluster is overwhelming.
MPN Question: How do you serve
your target markets better than other businesses of your type?
Currently there are no other businesses serving our market, and there
are no other organizations providing the services that we provide.
MPN Question:
What general lessons have you learned that can
be applied to any
small business, even one in a different product category? Simply
believe in yourself and what you are doing. Be honest, be fair, be
tolerant, and remember: you do not know everything!
MPN Question: How can potential new
customers contact your company (phone, e-mail, web site, etc.)? We
need funding, mentors, volunteers and corporate/community
partners. Please contact (404) 502-3187, or email me at
mkedwards@attbi.com.
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