After opening its doors in June 2022, Thrive Center Spokane has helped more than a thousand individuals in the community.
SPOKANE, Wash. — Thrive Center Spokane, a nonprofit refugee resource center, celebrated three years of service on Friday. Since opening its doors in June 2022, Thrive Center Spokane has helped more than a thousand individuals with temporary refugee housing, education and empowerment programs.
The nonprofit — in partnership with BECU, the Spokane Police Department and the First Presbyterian Church — hosted a block party to commemorate the anniversary. They handed out shoes and backpacks filled with school supplies, provided food and organized activities.
Thrive Center Spokane is the flagship location of Thrive International, which also has a center in Tacoma. The nonprofit started just weeks before war broke out in Ukraine, and quickly pivoted to help hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in 2022. Since then, they’ve helped individuals and families from all over the world.
Between the Spokane and Tacoma locations, Thrive International can house around 100 refugee families at a time. Executive Director Mark Finney said it’s inspiring to see how quickly new arrivals adjust to life in Washington.
“It’s amazing to me how fast people move, from coming here with no language, no understanding of the culture, often very little money, to within usually, typically six to nine months, they’re working, they’re out there, you know, renting their own apartment, they’re totally sufficient, they’re ready to move on,” Finney said.
In a press release, Thrive International said the block party was not only intended to honor refugees, but also to recognize the “welcoming and uplifting” people in the community.