Albany Strive 2 Thrive offers hand up to many

ALBANY — Strive 2 Thrive Executive Director Alvita Swain says despite “tremendous change and transition,” the non-profit organization exceeded its goals during the past year.

The poverty-fighting program was featured Thursday at the annual Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Rise N Shine breakfast. According to Swain, one of last year’s milestones was the graduating of the first family participants from the Strive 2 Thrive program.

While the status of all the graduating families was unavailable at the breakfast, statements by Nakoasha Dilliard, a participant since 2009, were shared with event attendees.

Dillard said she became aware of Strive 2 Thrive when she was driving through Albany and noticed a sign promoting the program. Since then her participation has changed her life and that of her young son. Not only has she attained her bachelor’s degree at Albany State University, she is now on course for a masters in public health and global health, she said. She’s even authored a book entitled “Surviving College While Raising a Toddler.”

“I’m a living testimony that one can get out of situational poverty and drive toward self-sufficiency,” Dillard said. “With just a little boost of encouragement and support from the community, my coaches, family and friends, and with the changing of my mindset, I did just that.”

According to Swain, there were 92 participants in the youth and adult Strive 2 Thrive program this year. Of those participants, more than 87 percent became gainfully employed with 74 percent of that number still working after six months. Sixty-five percent experienced a gain in income during the year, 28 percent opened savings accounts and 55 percent of participants increased their educational enrollment, Swain said.

Of each dollar of expenses associated with Strive 2 Thrive, four are returned to the community in the form of new and earned income, Swain said.

Also at the breakfast, Strive 2 Thrive Team Leader Patecia Simmons received the annual Jane Willson Family of the Year Award for her commitment to the program and her “giving back” through volunteerism.

“Strive 2 Thrive is a true blessing,” Simmons said. “I never expected my life to improve so quickly.”