Thrive
16 S Washington, Ypsilanti, MI
Thrive is a program of FedUp Ministries.
For more information, fill out the contact form below.
If you don't receive a response in 2-3 days, feel free to contact Luna at: luna@fedupministries.org
Thrive provides free individual therapy sessions for qualifying participants (low-income folks who cannot afford therapy or are on a waiting list and need transitional support).
Individual therapy through Thrive is short-term, lasting from 6 sessions to 18 sessions, depending on the therapist's availability. Contact the clinical intern of your choosing (below) or fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page to join our program. Please note that there may be a waitlist as the summer goes on.
Mary Buzzard
Clinical Social Work Intern
Hi! I’m Mary (she/her). I am currently in the MSW program at the University of Michigan in the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Pathway. I have worked in non-profits for the last ten years, and strongly believe in the community change that non-profits and community connection brings. I am excited to be starting my internship with Fed Up and working towards a more equitable and just society. I can provide individual therapy either virtually or we can meet up in a local park. Email me any time to get started!
When I am not studying or working, you can find me tending to my garden, getting lost in a good book, or hunting for hidden gems at local thrift stores. My favorite thing to do is spend quality time with my husband and daughter.
Luna N.H.
Clinical Social Work Intern
Hi! I'm Luna (she/they). I am in the University of Michigan's Interpersonal Practice Social Work program. I am looking forward to a future career as a therapist, working with people impacted by trauma specifically related to oppression and coercive-controlling environments. Outside of practicing therapy, I am an artist, a street medic, a dog-lover, a geek, and someone who loves the outdoors. I can provide individual or relationship therapy through Thrive, either virtually or we can meet up at a local park and receive the medicine of the outdoors. Email me any time to get started!
Thrive: Weekly Support Group
March 26 - August 13, 2024
*No gathering on April 29 and July 2
Thrive is a weekly support circle for people who are in a state of transition from living on the street to permanent housing, or from unemployment/precarious employment to more secure employment. Homelessness and economic exploitation cause trauma that can lead to challenges in gaining a sense of safety, self-love, and belonging through transitions. We recognize that these transitional times are challenging, and that people often lose their housing or their job due to the chronic crises of poverty and trauma–we want to ensure that people keep their housing, keep their jobs, and build capacity toward stability through social connection.
The support circle will run continuously from March 26 - August 13, 2024, with the following weeks off for rest and reflection:
- April 29, 2024 (No gathering)
- July 2, 2024 (No gathering)
Thrive uses a Mutual Aid model, which means we build a shared understanding that the systems we live under, not individual people, are to blame for crisis. Participants drive the direction and content of sessions, provide each other with support, and invite each other into collective action.
Sessions are facilitated by Luna N.H., a clinical social work student. Sessions focus on activities and collective action related to preventing crisis, trauma, and destructive conflict while building joy, creative problem solving, and self-love. Time is also provided for peer support where participants are encouraged to listen to one another, offer guidance, and help each other strategize through current problems.
Program Goals:
- Hold space for grief, pain, suffering, anger, and struggle during times of change
- Participants maintain a job or housing, if that is the participant’s wish
- Address material needs (car problems, transportation issues, childcare issues) and build social connections that can be supportive in crisis, if that is the participant’s wish
- Expand space for belonging, care, joy, hope, and opportunity during times of change
- Connect to social change organizations and movements that provide purpose, healing, and access to justice
Note: While this program is housed within FedUp Ministries, it is not a faith-based program–people of all faiths or no faith are welcome and encouraged, and no faith-based content will be included in the program. Participants are invited and encouraged to bring in their own spirituality and religious or faith-based practice.
