OUR MISSION
Our VISION is that Allen County will be the healthiest rural community in Kansas,
a community that thrives both physically and fiscally.
About Us
Thrive is a 501(c)3 corporation that provides a new model of rural revitalization that works to harness the strengths of local residents in building healthier, more vibrant communities.
Thrive is many things. It is a convener. It is a local public policy leader. It is a goal-setter. It is a prodder, or a cheerleader, or a critic—all depending on the need. And it is an advocate for people who cannot or do not advocate for themselves.
Thrive works to improve the quality of life in Allen County by focusing on health, wellness, recreation and education conditions, and by engaging people and institutions around a common vision for the future. This means working to increase access to healthcare, connecting people to programs and services, encouraging residents to live healthier, more active lives, and providing leadership on important public issues.
Improving quality of life is essential to the survival of small towns. People want to live in communities with healthy, well-educated residents. Businesses want to locate in communities with a robust, adaptable workforce. And young people are more receptive to moving to communities with great schools, parks and trails, and the feeling that the community has a bright future.
Thrive believes that Allen County can be the healthiest community in Kansas, and that our county’s best days are ahead of us. We hope you’ll join us in the fight for Allen County’s future.
OUR HISTORY
The original KITE logo was designed in 2007 by founding board member, Dr. Brian D. Wolfe, who still serves on Thrive’s board to this day. It represents health, wellness, and community.
The active SAIL icon was re-imagined in 2022 from Dr. Wolf’s original kite design. It symbolizes intent, positive direction, and forward progress for the communities of Allen County.
Thrive’s genesis was the 2005 award of a planning grant by the REACH Healthcare Foundation to the KU Work Group to assess health care needs and available resources in Allen County. This assessment revealed a deep concern among residents regarding the availability of medical and dental services and the general direction of the county. These results were supported by data showing that Allen Countians are generally older, sicker and poorer than the Kansas average, and that disparities in health care exist across all disciplines.
The data show that of Southeast Kansas residents, (and we extrapolate that this is true of Allen County residents specifically), 48% have no dental insurance; 27% have not had a dental visit in the past two years; and 66% are overweight or obese. Further, Allen County is losing population at the rate of almost 1% per year, including drops among nearly all racial and ethnic groups.
Driven by this data, the local Allen County Health Advisory Committee held a strategic planning meeting to prioritize survey results and develop a vision and mission statement to guide their efforts. Following the completion of the planning grant, the committee began establishing itself as an autonomous organization and implementing its action plan. In fall 2006, the Allen County Health Advisory Committee evolved into Thrive Allen County, Inc. Thrive then applied for and received an Emerging Organization grant from REACH which funded six months of organizational development, capacity building for members, and staff support from the KUWG to facilitate the organization’s advancement. The ultimate result of this effort was the creation of a 7 member board of directors, a broad-based coalition comprised of residents from throughout the county, and receipt of 501(c)3 designation.
Thrive has since moved rapidly to position itself at the center of efforts to enhance the health and wellness of Allen County residents, maturing from an all-volunteer effort centered primarily in Iola to a fully-staffed, non-profit corporation that touches all parts of Allen County.
Thrive Allen County’s Timeline
2005
REACH Healthcare
Foundation Funds
Planning Grant
2006
Thrive Allen County
Incorporates as
Non-Profit
2008
Thrive Hires
Executive Director
and Staff
2014
Thrive Named
Kansas Organizational
Health Champion
2017
Allen County Wins
“Culture of Health”
Prize
2019
Thrive Begins
Transportation
Services
2020
Kansas CARES
Program Established
2022
Thrive Kansas
Becomes 501c3
2022
Allen Regional
Transit (ART)
Becomes 501c3
2023
Lehigh Portland
State Park
Created
2023
Lehigh Portland
State Park
Created
2022
Allen Regional
Transit (ART)
Becomes 501c3
2022
Thrive Kansas
Becomes 501c3
2020
Kansas CARES
Program Established
2019
Thrive Begins
Transportation
Services
2017
Allen County Wins
“Culture of Health”
Prize
2014
Thrive Named
Kansas Organizational
Health Champion
2008
Thrive Hires
Executive Director
and Staff
Get Involved
Volunteer
Volunteer with Thrive Allen County!
Work on trails, clean up communities,
and build a healthier tomorrow.
Visit our Volunteer Opportunities Page
for more info and to sign-up!
Thrive at Home
Connect and Grow with Your Neighbors!
Thrive at Home is a trusted exchange
of community expertise through
your favorite Allen County classes,
workshops and meetings.
Donate
Support our transformative work in
Allen County and beyond. Your support of
Thrive Allen County empowers communities
and enhances health in Allen County
far beyond what grants can fund.