Our Vision:
To provide hope and resources for at-risk families and aged out young adults so that they can THRIVE.
Thrive Arizona is a non-profit organization that works in foster care prevention, reunification, and aged-out jbk
Our Story
Where it all started
Since opening its doors in August of 2016, Phoenix-based Thrive AZ has made it their mission to change the lives of countless Arizona families for the better. Thrive AZ has played an integral role in foster care prevention, biological family reunification, and services for aged out by connecting deserving families and youth with critical resources and support that would otherwise be out of reach.
As a volunteer about 5 years ago, Thrive AZ founder, Teri Vogel, was working with a young woman who was dealing with a crisis pregnancy. She was also dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse, a history of trauma. She was six months pregnant, and Teri was working with her as an advocate to help reunite her with her six other children that were in foster care.
Teri and her husband, Steve, decided to help take in her baby when it was born to help her focus on the things she was dealing with. Over time, they were able to move the mom into a temporary home, help her find employment, and connect her with other resources she would need—and slowly reunite her with her infant son and her six other children.
It was this woman and her family that showed Teri the challenges that families face while navigating the foster care system. Because of her time working with this mom, Teri came to learn that at the time, there were 18,000 kids in foster care. Every 40 seconds in the state of Arizona, a child was being removed from their home and put into the foster care system. Teri knew why they were removed – they didn’t have beds, they didn’t have enough food, they were sleeping in cars. They didn’t have the basic needs for their family to just survive. At that point, she couldn’t unknow it.
That’s where the passion came from. Walking with this mother and seeing all of the missing pieces that had to come together for her to get back on track. Our work with Thrive AZ comes from a very deep place in our hearts because we were a part of that journey.
The Team
STEVE VOGEL
PRESIDENT
TERI VOGEL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DIANA CARLIN
DONATIONS
COORDINATOR
JOY KOONTZ
HOPE HOUSE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
MANNY NAVARRO
DONATION TRUCK DRIVER
TIFFANY KOONTZ
COMMUNITY COORDINATOR
MILES CLAY
AGED OUT SPECIALIST
SYDNEY HAIRGROVE
AGED OUT SPECIALIST
AIMEE ALIANZA
AGED OUT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
GABRIEL ORDUNO
GROUNDS TO THRIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
VISENTE ROJAS
CLIENT TRUCK DRIVER
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SUZI FRIEND
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
ESTEBAN DIAZ
THRIFT STORE MANAGER
Our Story
Where it all started
Since opening its doors in August of 2016, Phoenix-based Thrive AZ has made it their mission to change the lives of countless Arizona families for the better. Thrive AZ has played an integral role in foster care prevention, biological family reunification, and services for aged out by connecting deserving families and youth with critical resources and support that would otherwise be out of reach.
As a volunteer about 8 years ago, Thrive AZ founder, Teri Vogel, was working with a young woman who was dealing with a crisis pregnancy. She was also dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse, a history of trauma. She was six months pregnant, and Teri was working with her as an advocate to help reunite her with her six other children that were in foster care.
Teri and her husband, Steve, decided to help take in her baby when it was born to help her focus on the things she was dealing with. Over time, they were able to move the mom into a temporary home, help her find employment, and connect her with other resources she would need—and slowly reunite her with her infant son and her six other children.
It was this woman and her family that showed Teri the challenges that families face while navigating the foster care system. Because of her time working with this mom, Teri came to learn that at the time, there were 18,000 kids in foster care. Every 40 seconds in the state of Arizona, a child was being removed from their home and put into the foster care system. Teri knew why they were removed – they didn’t have beds, they didn’t have enough food, they were sleeping in cars. They didn’t have the basic needs for their family to just survive. At that point, she couldn’t unknow it.
That’s where the passion came from. Walking with this mother and seeing all of the missing pieces that had to come together for her to get back on track. Our work with Thrive AZ comes from a very deep place in our hearts because we were a part of that journey.
STEPHANIE SHERWOOD
CLIENT SPECIALIST
What We Do
We work towards foster care prevention, reunification, and aged-out. Working in cooperation with Arizona Department of Child Safety caseworkers and community social workers, we connect our clients with community partners to help provide the basic needs required by the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
To assist our families and young adults in overcoming their obstacles and meeting their goals, Thrive AZ provides the following resources at no charge:
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A brand new bed, sheets, pillows, and blanket
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Other furniture, household items, and cleaning and hygiene items
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Support and encouragement through the client’s specific situation
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Referrals to community agencies/programs
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Housing for aged out young adults
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What is the Foster Care situation in Arizona?Arizona currently serves about 14,000 children in our Foster Care System. Reasons for removal vary from homelessness, abuse, neglect, and the lack of basic resources to care for the family. In the past few years, AZDCS has put family preservation teams in place as an alternative to removing children from the home when it is deemed as a safe home but the family still needs assistance.
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Who does Thrive AZ help?Our main goal is to serve the biological families who have been separated or are in fear of being separated due to the lack of basic resources to care for the family. In addition, we serve the Aged Out young adult population in need of assistance. To learn more about our Aged Out Transitional Housing Program, CLICK HERE.
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How do families and young adults get connected with Thrive AZ?A caseworker through the Department of Child Safety or another agencies that work with the families or young adult must submit an Agency Referral Form. We then will reach out to families and young adults from those referrals. Our main goal is to partner with the caseworkers to help families and young adults receive the tools they need to THRIVE! CLICK HERE to access the referral from.
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How can people volunteer?We are a volunteer driven organization, and we need you! There are many ways to get involved! We want you to be passionate about where you are volunteering in our organization! Check out our “Get Involved” tab above to see all the ways that you can get involved including volunteering!
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What are your greatest needs?Financial support is key to enabling us to serve even more Arizona families. Through our safe sleep initiative, you can provide a bed for a child for a $100 donation. If you are interested in our transitional housing for Aged Out, you can support a move-in for a young adult with a $500 donation. If you are interested in supporting Thrive AZ financially, please CLICK HERE. Toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, sheets, pillows, and blankets are always a need for our families. One way to partner with Thrive AZ is to host a collection drive for these types of needs. If you are interested in hosting a collection drive through a business or organization, CLICK HERE.
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Do you pick up donations?Yes. If you have items to donate, CLICK HERE to make arrangements for the donation. You can also drop off items at our office location at 14202 N 73rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 85381 or our thrift store at 2205 E Eugie Terrace, Phoenix, AZ 85022.