What We Do
Strength, support, and community are the three pillars of our organization. To this end, we offer a variety of creative and body-based programs designed to educate and empower.
Empowerment Self-Defense
The heart of Thrive is Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD), a unique and evidence-based approach to personal safety that acknowledges the statistical realities of everyday violence. More often than not, assault starts with small violations and then escalates, and it’s more likely to be perpetrated by someone you know. While it’s important to always be situationally aware and prepared for “the stranger in the alley,” true self-defense is multifaceted and includes recognizing the warning signs of interpersonal violence, effective boundary setting, and learning to use your voice and posture to move through the world safely and with confidence. ESD also acknowledges the cultural, historical, and gender issues that are undercurrents of power-based violence.
Our curriculum is powerful, effective, and comprehensive because it addresses the entire continuum of safety: violence prevention, assault resistance, and healing in the aftermath of trauma. No matter what your experience or goals may be when you walk into a class, you will leave empowered.
The Storm: Trauma-Informed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team
Our Storm program uses the grappling martial art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) as a vehicle for personal growth and strength-building. Taking a trauma-informed approach, we start with the simplest fundamental movements, emphasizing mind-body connection, consent for touch, and a spirit of playfulness and community. No prior experience necessary. Open to women, transfolks, and gender nonbinary folks ages 13 and older.
Yoga & Reiki with Breathe Free Wellness
Instructor Erin DeSantis invites you to cultivate and sustain your physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the practice of yoga and meditation. As a reiki master, Erin integrates this energywork into her weekly yoga classes, as well as offering individual and small-group reiki sessions.
Bodywork with Lumin Massage
Practitioner Jesie Smith is a reiki master, licensed massage therapist, and student in Somatic Experiencing. She brings each of these healing tools to her table in service to your physical and emotional restoration.
Health & Wellness Coaching Individual & Group
First things first: At Thrive, when we talk about health and wellness, that isn’t code for weight loss. Both our group class, Nourish to Flourish, and our individual coaching sessions focus on how your body feels as you do your best to meet its needs. You are not a number on a scale, and wellness is about so much more than what you eat. We take a holistic, person-centered approach, covering self-esteem, rest, hydration, movement for joy (rather than punishment or worthiness), and nutrition.
Sexual Health & Education Individual & Group
Especially for those of us socialized as women, sexuality is presented as something that does not belong to us. We “lose” it. We “give it away.” Or, worst of all, it’s “taken” from us.
To put it politely: We call bullsh*t.
Your sexuality is yours. It belongs to you—then, now, and always. It’s an integral part of who you are as both a physical and spiritual being. Our goal is to provide the safest and bravest space, education, and support to claim—or reclaim—it for yourself. Our group class, Sexually Speaking, is a place where you can say, ask, and discuss all that may have been taboo. It’s a place to learn and heal, to mourn and laugh. Individual coaching is also available if a group setting doesn’t feel comfortable for you.
Note from Lindsey: I want to acknowledge the appalling lack of attention given in the field of sexual science to those who identify as gender nonconforming, sexual orientations that are not primarily heterosexual, and relationship styles that are not monogamous or traditional. Far too little has been done in these important areas of relationships, sex, and sexuality, and I hope we as a field do better.
Creative & Expressive Therpapies
Writing ReConnection
Painful or traumatic life experiences can often leave us speechless—we’re not sure how to tell our stories, or even feel like we have words for what has happened. Sometimes our words have been taken from us by shame or forced silence. We can feel separated from our language, our memories, and from ourselves. This creative writing group meets on Thursdays at 7:45 p.m. and provides a safe, judgment-free, open space to explore our own language and reclaim our voices. Through this process, we can reconnect with our embodied experiences, the power of our own words, and our senses of self. (Participants will NOT be required to share their writing; this class, as with all our classes, honors personal agency and consent. YOU decide when and if you share.) The fee for Writing Reconnection is donation based. Suggested donation is $5. All donated funds pay for class materials and refreshments.
Mental Health Counseling Services Individual & Group
Coming Soon!
The Thrive 5K Annual Community Run/Walk
The Thrive 5K, presented annually in October, is a community-action event in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, supporting all survivors and taking a stand against violence in our area. This run/walk is designed to bring people together in the spirit of promoting healthy relationships and ending domestic abuse.
Thrive Empowerment Center believes the ability to protect and defend oneself is a human right. To this end, we welcome all individuals, regardless of age, physical ability, athletic/martial experience, race, religion, gender identity, or ability to pay. Though some courses may be specially designed for certain population segments, it’s our mission to provide varied programs for all. We encourage you to reach out to us if you feel our programs are not meeting your needs or if the cost of registration is a barrier to your attendance.