Valley Health Supports THRIVE Self-Sufficiency Program Through Community Partnership Grant

Valley Health Supports THRIVE Self-Sufficiency Program Through Community Partnership Grant

As a not-for-profit health system, Valley Health invests in programs, services and partnerships that help people live healthier lives. Good health depends on more than medical care. Stable housing, employment, financial security and access to community resources all play an important role in long-term well-being.

Valley Health's Community Partnership Grant program supports local nonprofit organizations working to improve health and well-being across the communities we serve. Each year, these grants help fund community-based initiatives that address factors that influence health, including housing stability, food access, transportation, education, employment and behavioral health support.

Through a $50,000 Community Partnership Grant, Valley Health is helping launch THRIVE, a community-based program designed to help local residents build financial stability and independence.

THRIVE, which stands for Transforming Homes through Resources Industries, Integrated Support and Vocational Empowerment, serves residents of Winchester and Frederick County through a partnership of six nonprofit organizations:

• Horizon Goodwill Industries
• Family Promise Winchester Area
• United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley
• Congregational Community Action Project (CCAP)
• Connected Communities
• I'm Just Me Movement

Together, these organizations will provide coordinated support for 50 participants working to overcome barriers that can affect their health, stability and quality of life.

Addressing the Factors That Influence Health

Many challenges that affect health happen outside of a doctor's office or hospital. Difficulties with housing, employment, transportation, finances and access to support services can make it harder for individuals and families to achieve and maintain good health.

How THRIVE Works

THRIVE is built to help participants move from crisis to stability through a structured program that includes:

• Case management
• Life coaching
• Therapy sessions
• Financial literacy education
• Self-resilience training
• Employment readiness support
• Resource navigation
• Long-term mentoring and coaching

Participants complete a comprehensive intake process that evaluates housing stability, employment, financial circumstances and other factors that may affect their ability to reach their goals. The program then provides personalized support and ongoing guidance as participants work toward greater independence.

Building on a Proven Model

THRIVE is based on two pilot programs launched in 2024. According to program leaders, 13 of the 15 participants in those early efforts achieved self-sufficiency by securing employment or enrolling in college.

The new program expands that approach to reach 50 participants and will track outcomes over a two-year period to measure progress toward long-term financial stability.

Investing in Stronger Communities

The THRIVE partnership reflects a shared commitment among local organizations to address poverty through coordinated support rather than isolated services. By connecting community resources with coaching, education, and mentoring, the program helps participants create a path toward lasting stability.

Supporting THRIVE is one example of Valley Health's broader commitment to community health. According to Valley Health's most recent Community Impact Report, the health system provided more than $218 million in community benefit during 2024, including $61.2 million in care for patients who could not afford treatment and $89.7 million in programs that strengthen the communities Valley Health serves.

By supporting initiatives such as THRIVE, Valley Health continues its mission to improve community health by investing in both healthcare services and the social and economic factors that help individuals and families thrive.