Thrive Chelan Valley hosted “Thrive Celebrates” on November 16, 2019 at Harmony Meadows to honor the 20th Anniversary of our Teen Center program. Attendees heard accounts from Vicki Carr (an original Teen Center Board Member) and Thrive Board Chair, Jacque DePaoli (pictured below), regarding how the Teen Center came to be what it is today.
The audience could have heard a pin drop when Mario Gonzalez (pictured below), 2019 Graduate of Chelan High School and recipient of the Leaders on the Lake Scholarship, came to the stage. Mario’s story of resilience, persistence, and accomplishment had just been shared by Thrive Board Member, Sarah Barnes. Some of those in attendance were seen wiping away a few tears. That’s when Mario expressed his gratitude for the community of people that “changed my life forever.” Thrive is proud to be at the core of that community. The mentors, the relationships, and the Teen Center all played an important role.
In addition to hearing inspiring stories of lives changed, the current Thrive Teen Center Leadership Team was honored for their service along with two of the original Chelan Teen Center trailblazers, Pastor Paul Palumbo and Kathy Schuldt. The picture below includes (left to right): Kathy Schuldt (former Teen Center tutor), Pastor Paul Palumbo (former Teen Center Board Member), Rick Plueger, Travis Farrar, Carrie DeLacey (Thrive Teen Center Leadership Chair) and Kayla Helleson (Thrive’s Executive Director). Efren Alejo, Brian Cooper and David Epperson (not pictured) are also Teen Center Leadership Team members.
We are continually thankful for our dedicated volunteers, supportive community and generous donors who help us make a difference in the lives of youth…youth just like Mario. Interested in getting involved by investing your time, resources or dollars? Contact us at 509-934-2211 or executivedirector@thrivechelanvalley.com.
Thrive Chelan Valley is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ensuring that all Chelan Valley youth have everything they need to reach their full potential.