Thrive’s free counselling, services help thousands of people who need help

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This article was published 06/12/2019 (2421 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THRIVE Community Support Circle couldn’t have a better name.

“We want to help people with their personal goals, no matter what they are, and help them thrive and grow,” says Rhonda Elias-Penner, the organization’s executive director. “Working toward a happier and healthier community is why we exist.”

Located at 555 Spence St., Thrive offers a number of services. People who visit the organization’s family resource centre can take part in a variety of programs, workshops and support groups, as well as receive counselling.

Community members can also use Thrive’s child-care centre and thrift shop.

“We support every sort of age and race and gender, and we have such a holistic group of services,” Elias-Penner says. “All of our services are free.”

More than 10,000 people visit Thrive annually, including Danielle Giesbrecht.

Giesbrecht sought counselling at Thrive to work through the grief she felt after her son, Jordan, died suddenly at the age of 24.

“I wanted to die. I wanted to be with him,” Giesbrecht says. “It was horrible, horrible, horrible.”

It’s just one of the traumas she has endured. When Giesbrecht was a child, her father went on violent rampages during which he would physically and verbally abuse Giesbrecht and her four siblings.

“I was in a really deep depression for a long, long time,” she says.

Soon after she started going to Thrive, Giesbrecht’s counsellor suggested she volunteer at the thrift shop.

The shop aims to empower people by providing volunteer opportunities where they can learn skills and gain work experience.

Staff members work with newcomers and individuals overcoming mental health crises, as well as volunteers from a variety of programs, including disability programs, work experience programs and volunteers doing court-mandated community service.

Today, Giesbrecht works as the volunteer trainer and store supervisor. In the two years since she first got involved at the store, she’s made it her mission to help people.

Making people feel welcome, and treating them with dignity and respect, is the key.

“It’s so important that they feel a part of the community,” Giesbrecht says. “Everyone is unique and worthy, and we want to help them any way we can.”

Elias-Penner praises Giesbrecht and the strides she’s made.

“She is an amazing woman with incredible resiliency, spirit and heart,” Elias-Penner says. “She really is our biggest cheerleader, and she encourages everyone, no matter what their challenges are.”

People who visit the store and get to know Giesbrecht are often taken aback when they learn her story.

“They can’t believe anything bad has ever happened to me because I’m always happy,” she says. “I’m happy, happy, happy, and I should be. I’ve got my life and I’ve got my Thrive family.”

Funding from United Way Winnipeg makes it possible for Thrive to offer ongoing, consistent programming.

“Thrive works hard every day for everyone who needs us,” Giesbrecht says. “We’re there to empower people and to give them back hope.”

United Way Winnipeg is currently in the midst of its annual fundraising campaign. The organization has set its highest-ever fundraising goal: $21.6 million.

“With every donation, (Thrive) gets bigger and better,” Giesbrecht says.

 aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca