For young adults aged 18-24 who have aged out of the foster care system or are facing homelessness, Christian City’s Thrive Program has become an invaluable resource- offering housing, life-skills education, GED assistance, and consistent support for residents. 

Some of the residents were once a part of Christian City’s Children’s Village, and of those who have transitioned to Thrive, the program has a 100% graduation rate. According to Christian City President and CEO Keith Horton,  success is a direct result of their prioritization of education above all else.

“We are uber-focused on making sure they get that high school diploma or GED,” said Horton. “We know how important that is for them to be able to get a job that’s going to provide livable wages.” 

While residents are required to maintain employment, education remains the top priority. In addition to pursuing a GED or high school diploma for residents who have neither, all residents attend professional development seminars that cover practical life skills ranging from etiquette to financial management, credit, and investing. 

One unique way Christian City further prepares the residents of Thrive is their rent installment system that begins six months after beginning the program. Residents pay a small, income-based portion of rent each month that is returned to them after completing the program. This initiative not only provides a financial boost for residents as they begin their next chapter, but also establishes a positive rent history that allows them to move forward with stability and confidence. 

After graduation, residents have several career pathways to choose from. Some enroll in college, and others seek certification in various industries through Atlanta Technical College or Goodwill of North Georgia. These opportunities help Thrive program residents specialize in an area that will further aid them in finding a career that matches their passion and skill set.

“I think that every person brings value, no matter who they are, no matter what their circumstances, no matter what their economic status, they bring value,” said Horton. “What we do at Christian City is we want to level the playing field so that they can achieve the dreams they aspire to achieve.”

One recent success story is Annagrace, a Thrive resident who earned her GED this year.  Annagrace found the Thrive program to be quintessential in setting her up for success after aging out of the foster care system, specifically expressing gratitude towards staff members, such as Ms. Vasheta and Ms. Crystal, who assisted Annagrace in multiple ways.

“The staff have been a huge help in getting me to and from places when I needed to study for my GED, helping me find jobs I can apply for, and giving me a support system I know I can trust,” she said. 

Besides the educational growth she has achieved since beginning the program, she has also seen herself grow personally, gaining confidence in herself while she builds lasting bonds and skills that will carry her into her next chapter.  Annagrace plans to take computer science courses at Atlanta Technical College in the fall, with the ultimate goal of working in computer systems programming for the U.S. Air Force in the future. 

“If you have the right support system you should be able to pass your GED or get your high school diploma, even when others say you can’t,” said Annagrace.

As Thrive looks to the future, they are currently in the midst of a capital campaign to expand the program from being able to support 17 residents to 45-49 residents, aiming to support more teenagers and young adults in need.  Those who would like to assist in the expansion and support of the program can visit Christian City’s donation page. In addition, Thrive seeks mentors and professionals from all fields to participate in their professional development series. Individuals interested in mentoring  should reach out to Vasheta Prather via email [email protected].