Thrive Mahoning Valley Opens Office in Former Church Rectory

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – An old church rectory is the new home of Thrive Mahoning Valley.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber was on hand Tuesday afternoon for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 854 Wilson Ave., the former rectory for Saint Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church. 

Before having a building, Thrive Mahoning Valley relied on phone and email to communicate with those who needed its services, said Christopher Colón, executive director.

The building provides a meeting place as well as space for Thrive’s other work.

“Now we have a place where we can fix up our bikes,” Colón said. “That’s a huge part of our program.”

People donate used bicycles, and Thrive fixes them and gives them to adults in need. The basement of the Wilson Avenue building provides space for the repair work.

“We put flyers on church bulletins. We’ve done advertising on social media, word of mouth,” Colón said. “We have a waiting list of 44 as of today, mostly international students.”

But there have been other recipients, including an 85-year-old woman. They’re people who don’t have access to transportation, Colón said.

“We had one person who was walking an hour to work, back and forth,” he said. “We provided him a bike.”

People apply using a QR code on the flyers. Ariana Wyndham, Thrive outreach manager, said the goal is to give out 50 bikes by the end of October. Each bike comes with a helmet, a bike lock and instructions for safe riding.

“This was funded through the Raymond John Wean Foundation,” Wyndham said. “They gave us a $5,000 grant to help us start the program.”

Bikes can be picked up, but most people need them to be dropped off.

“A lot of people are so grateful,” she said. “They’re like, ‘Thank you so much. I can get to work now, or I don’t have to wait for someone to give me a ride. I can get groceries. I can go to the doctor.’”

Tuesday’s event, which included food trucks, music, a Youngstown Fire Department truck and activities for children, also coincides with Welcome Week, when organizations bring together people of all backgrounds.

Pictured at top: From left are Angelica Diaz, Thrive Mahoning Valley board member; Justin Mondok, board president; Vicki Vicars, vice president of advancement; Ariana Wyndham, outreach manager; Christopher Colón, executive director; Austin Sturgeon, volunteer; Erin Duffy, marketing manager; and Terry Vicars, AmeriCorps community engagement coordinator.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.