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Thrive Youth Center Annual Report
A Message From Our Board Chair
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we reflect on another year of service, we are grateful for the incredible resilience and strength of the LGBTQ+ youth we serve. Thrive has become a safe haven, providing not only essential services but also a community where young people can find acceptance and support.
This year, we welcomed over 149 youth through our doors, each with their own unique stories and challenges. Our dedicated staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that every young person feels valued and heard. We are proud to have strengthened our programs, offering mental health support, job readiness training, and life skills workshops tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth.
Despite the challenges we face, we have witnessed the transformative power of love and support. With your help, we have fostered a nurturing environment where youth can rebuild their lives and embrace their identities without fear.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to advocating for policy changes that will protect and empower LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. Together, we can create a future where every young person feels safe and supported.
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission. Your contributions make a profound difference in the lives of these remarkable individuals. Let us continue this important work together.
Together, we can continue to foster hope and create lasting change. If you’d like to join us in our mission— whether through volunteering or a donation—please visit our website or reach out. Every effort brings us one step closer to a brighter future for these remarkable youth.
In gratitude,
Stefanie Gaines
Chair, Board of Directors
By The Numbers 2024
Social Impact
149
YOUTH SERVED
18,483
NIGHTS OF SHELTER
16
EMERGENCY BEDS
43
APARTMENTS
$16,000
AVERAGE COST TO HOUSE AND PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR 1 YEAR
40%
of our youth served in emergency shelter identify as trans
43%
of our housing youth identify as LGBTQ+
45%
of emergency shelter clients have experienced domestic violence
RACIAL MAKEUP
HISPANIC VS. NON-HISPANIC
50%
of our youth are self- referred or referred by word of mouth to the emergency shelter
58%
of emergency shelter clients have a diagnosed mental health condition
39%
of transgender youth in the emergency shelter aged out of foster care*
*Only 6% are referred by CPS and 5% by school counselor, despite 41% being involved in the foster care system
Emergency Shelter
Employment & Benefits
- 50% Obtain Benefits
- 48% Obtain Employment
Educational Achievements
- 9% complete vocational training or obtain a certificate.
- 7% earn a GED or high school diploma.
Approx 40% of new residents at Thrive already have a GED or high school diploma.
Counseling
- 41% participate in counseling.
Resident Outcomes
- 63% never return to homelessness.
- 33% move in with family or friends.
- 27% transition to Thrive’s housing program.
- 24% return to homelessness within 12 months.
- 7% move into their own apartment independently
Addressing Employment Barriers for Our Youth
Some challenges faced by our clients when applying for employment include discrimination and employers not accepting how the client identifies. Many individuals need a stable address to meet residency requirements for state-specific benefits. Critical documents, such as identification and Social Security cards, may be lost, stolen, or left behind during frequent moves or transitions. Additionally, young adults aged 18-24 often fall into eligibility gaps as they transition from child-focused to adult programs. For many youth entering our emergency shelter without stable housing, immediate survival needs like food and shelter frequently take precedence, leaving little time or resources to navigate the longer-term process of applying for benefits or employment opportunities.
– Jai, Dorm Case Manager
Rapid Rehousing
Employment & Benefits
- 64% obtain benefits AND employment
Educational Achievements
- 14% complete vocational training or obtain a certificate.
- 9% earn a GED or high school diploma.
Counseling
- 33% participate in counseling.
Of those moving in with family or friends:
- 81% never return to homelessness.
- 13% return to homelessness within 6 months.
Housing Outcomes
- 66% of housing program clients never return to homelessness.
- 49% plan to renew their lease independently or with a roommate.
- 22% plan to move in with family or friends.
- 18% plan to return to homelessness immediately
Of those renewing their lease independently:
- 74% never return to homelessness.
- 13% return to homelessness within 6 months.
- 3% return to homelessness within 12 months.
Barriers to Access: Systemic Hurdles for our Youth
For the last 2 years, ID recovery has been one of the biggest challenges. Our housing clients require a valid state ID to proceed with their apartment moves. Although appointment times have improved since COVID, they can still take one to two months, which delays move-ins The next hurdle is that most of our youth do not have the basic necessities to move in. Thrive relies heavily on donations from the community and we have been fortunate to provide for the clients because of people’s generosity. They come from a variety of difficult backgrounds and enter homelessness with next to nothing. Having something of their own impacts our clients in the best way possible.
-Statement by Erin Kirby – Housing Manager and David Guajardo-High – Director of Housing Programs
“We’ve been with my parents and with the family, and it really sucked, so pretty much as soon as I turned 18, about like a couple of weeks later, I decided I’m just going to leave before I do something stupid,” Max shared.
Max’s journey took a drastic turn when he took an Uber to a library, far from his home in the middle of nowhere. “I kind of expected to read books until I die or starve to death, or something like that, and that was it for almost a week.” During this time, Max spent his nights by a playground area against a fence and his days in the library until a concerned woman approached him at an intersection.
“She was suspicious and she was telling me about her other kid who was 16 who ended up in the hospital because he tried to end his life, and she saw that I was struggling and she didn’t like seeing that at all,” Max explained. The kind woman offered him a place to stay for a week, providing food and conversation. Although she couldn’t house Max permanently, she introduced him to Haven for Hope, where Max was initially hesitant to go. However, understanding it was better than staying outside, he agreed and was eventually referred to Thrive.
Max also spoke about the sense of community and belonging he has found at Thrive. “That’s like one of the best things here, I swear to God, because like kind of going back to the household that I lived in, it wasn’t great, I wasn’t really let out of the house a lot, I didn’t have a lot of friends. I was always grounded so I couldn’t talk to people online. So, yeah, I never had friends especially when I dropped out. So, being here, it’s great, because there’s so many people, good people! And I’ve made a good amount of friends and I can actually go out and do stuff. Even if I don’t have money, we can still hang out and go walk around. It’s great, wonderful, amazing, awesome, so it makes me really happy.”
Youth Experiences
Max (he/him), 18
Financials
Income
- Grants (Restricted) – $1,436,841.77
- Grants (Unrestricted) – $151,986.45
- Business / Civic Income – $146,174.16
- Fundraising Income – $46,660.26
- Individual Contributions – $128,208.47
- Gifts In-Kind – $69,942.21
- Total Income – $ 1,979,813.32
Expenses
-
Administration – $185,362.08
-
Program Support – $1,269,780.28
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Emergency Shelter – $185,816.13
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Fundraising – $146,793.50
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Total Expenses – $1,787,751.90
A Message From Our Board Treasurer
This year marked a crucial period of stabilization and strategic foundation-building for Thrive Youth Center. As we continue to navigate the evolving post-COVID fundraising environment, we are proud to report a solid financial year, supported by a strong base of grant funding and community-driven fundraising efforts.
Grant funding remains a critical pillar of our financial health, with both restricted and unrestricted grants enabling us to sustain our core programs, from emergency shelter to long-term housing solutions. Additionally, our fundraising efforts—including individual contributions, business and civic support, and in-kind donations— have played a key role in ensuring that we can provide life-changing services to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
As we look ahead, this year has positioned us for future growth. By addressing our financial stability, we are beginning to lay the groundwork to expand services, reach more youth in need, and enhance our programs. We remain deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our donors, partners, and community members—your generosity ensures that Thrive continues to be a place of safety, empowerment, and transformation.
-Statement by Martin Keighley, Board Treasurer
DEVELOPMENT
Since joining the team at Thrive Youth Center, I’ve been excited to connect with our donors to talk about the importance of our shelter and the services we provide. For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, the connection to the work Thrive offers is personal. Many of us can remember a specific moment when someone stepped in and helped us get back on track with compassion and trust. In that same spirit, our team works tirelessly to provide a wide array of services from employment assistance, mental health support, education options, clothing, and more. Thrive Youth Center relies on your support to ensure that young people experiencing homelessness have an opportunity to change the direction of their journey.
As we look towards the future, we know that our greatest strength as a community is our solidarity. It is our commitment to build together and to support each other with dignity and respect for our individual journeys to a collective destination. Support of our mission has helped Thrive Youth Center impact the lives of almost 500 youth since we began our work in 2015. While we know the future will come with unique challenges to the LGBTQ+ community, we will continue to dream and strategize toward a more empathic world that believes that all youth deserve a safe place to call home.
Our work is to help facilitate this vision inside and outside of our shelter through engagement, support, and care. Thrive is excited to celebrate 10 years of service in 2025 and we sincerely hope that you will join us in celebrating our youth, our work, and our potential to grow. With the continued support of our donors and allies, Thrive will continue to ensure that any youth facing homelessness has a second chance at building a brighter future on their terms.
– Beto DeLeon, Director of Development
To learn more about donation options, becoming a monthly supporter, or making a special one-time gift in honor of our 10th anniversary, please contact Beto DeLeon, Director of Development for Thrive Youth Center at beto@thriveyouthcenter.org.
A special thank you to members of our Metamorphosis Society, Thrive Youth Center’s recurring donor group who offer monthly support to our shelter. With recurring giving starting at $10 a month, your contribution of any size will make a large impact!
We are excited to reconnect in 2025, with new meetings, events, and special opportunities to keep you engaged and informed about our work and vision!
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
37
METAMORPHOSIS MONTHLY DONORS
$13,202
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS
CREATIVE WAYS OUR COMMUNITY GIVES BACK!
This Could Be You
Erica and Nicole demonstrated the power of partnership and generosity by offering a matched donation for the 2024 Big Give Fundraiser. Their commitment doubled the impact of every dollar donated, allowing us to provide essential resources such as backpacks, laptops for school, welcome-kits, and bus passes. Thanks to Erica and Nicole, we are removing barriers to success for our youth and empowering them to reach their full potential.
Ken and Louis have been steadfast supporters of Thrive by donating appliances for youth transitioning into their own apartments after completing our shelter program. From refrigerators to microwaves, Ken and Louis’s contributions ensure that our young adults have the tools they need to create a home of their own. Their generosity provides both comfort and functionality, helping our youth take confident steps toward independence.
We love when local businesses and artists step up to support Thrive! A local band called Morta designed an exclusive t-shirt, with proceeds benefiting our programs. Their creativity and dedication to giving back not only raise vital funds but also spread awareness of our mission to a wider audience. Thank you, Morta, for rocking out for a great cause!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Partners,
This year has been one of both challenge and growth. The ongoing crisis of youth homelessness continues to disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ individuals, and we are more determined than ever to create spaces of safety and belonging. Our work has expanded in so many ways—from the number of youth we’ve been able to support to the programs and services we’ve developed to meet the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Together with our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters, we have made incredible strides toward providing not just shelter, but also a foundation for brighter futures.
However, we know there is still much work to be done. Homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth remains a dire issue, and our community faces ongoing challenges in securing stable housing, employment, and healthcare. As we look to the future, we are committed to expanding our outreach, deepening our impact, and ensuring that we are there for every young person who needs us.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners. Your contributions—whether financial, emotional, or in the form of your time—are what allow us to continue this vital work. Together, we are creating a world where every young person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can find safety, support, and the opportunity to build a future they deserve.
Thank you for standing with us, and with the youth we serve. Your dedication makes all the difference.
With gratitude and hope,
Justin R. Holley
Executive Director,
Thrive Youth Center
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS
Supporting our unhoused neighbors goes beyond providing temporary assistance—it’s about fostering community and creating pathways for stability. In San Antonio, countless aid groups are working tirelessly to address homelessness. From providing free meals and hygiene supplies to offering direct aid for housing assistance, there are many ways to get involved. Consider volunteering your time, donating essential items, or advocating for policies that address the root causes of homelessness. Check out the organizations below to find a cause that resonates with you and join their efforts to make a lasting impact!
Support Our Efforts Year Around
Become a monthly sustainer to help the LGBTQ+ youth of the Alamo City obtain the resources they need to succeed!