Helping kids experiencing homelessness

Far too many children in the United States experience homelessness, and with that, diminished access to schooling too.

Barb Olson, of Thrive Insurance, delivers 100 stuffed toys to Precious Timmons, development associate at Positive Tomorrows, for the annual Merry Market.

A shared goal

The only elementary school in Oklahoma devoted solely to educating children experiencing homelessness, Positive Tomorrows focuses on three areas: reducing barriers, supporting families and providing a robust education.

When Thrive Insurance Founder and CEO Taylor Richardson first learned about Positive Tomorrows, he knew it was the perfect partnership for his agency. To give back to his community, Richardson had recently developed a community outreach program, called Thrive Kids, to provide meals to food insecure children. While researching the best way to achieve his goal, he came across Positive Tomorrows, which was the leading organization supporting children who are not part of a regular school lunch program in Oklahoma.

“We learned just how many needs in the community were being met by Positive Tomorrows …”

 – Taylor Richardson, founder and CEO of Thrive Insurance

As Richardson notes, “We met with the Positive Tomorrows team, and we learned just how many needs in the community were being met by Positive Tomorrows – such as food, clothing, schooling, housing stability and the Merry Market at Christmas too. The partnership just made sense.”

From gift-giving to mentoring

All ten employees of Thrive Insurance lend a helping hand to Positive Tomorrows. For each policy written, Thrive Kids provides funding for a meal at Positive Tomorrows. Around the holidays, Thrive Kids sells Christmas-themed T-shirts through social media and donates 100% of the proceeds to Positive Tomorrows. The whole Thrive team supports the Merry Market event by coordinating gift donations, wrapping gifts, assisting parents with gift selection and supplying snacks.

Thrive employees Karen Jackson and Barb Olson also serve as school volunteers, where they spend time with the kids and add stability, encouragement and support to the children’s lives. “The team at Thrive Insurance is truly dedicated to the children that we serve,” said Margaret Creighton, executive vice president of Positive Tomorrows. “It’s these consistent, personal relationships that really have an impact on these children’s lives.”

“The team at Thrive Insurance is truly dedicated to the children that we serve.” 

– Margaret Creighton, executive vice president of Positive Tomorrows

Dreaming big

The Thrive Insurance team looks forward to continuing to feed and mentor children through this time of uncertainty and beyond. “The impact of $10,000 on an entire family, who will have the opportunity to be on a path to success, is limitless.” said Richardson.

Vote by using the social share buttons to the left or by leaving a comment below. The more votes and comments, the closer Positive Tomorrows gets to a $10,000 donation, which would provide a scholarship for one child’s entire year of education and after-school programming, and support for their family to get into and maintain housing. Visit Thrive Insurance or Positive Tomorrows to learn more.