FY23 was a year of profound change and resilience for Arlington Thrive. As our community and organization weathered transitions, we were met with an outpouring of support that anchored us through one of the most challenging periods in our history. Our ability to adapt and continue providing life-saving support to thousands of Arlingtonians is a testament to the strength of our community, our partners, and the unwavering commitment of our donors.
Navigating Leadership Transitions
One of the most significant changes in FY23 was the departure of Arlington Thrive’s long-time Executive Director. His departure marked the beginning of a new chapter for Thrive. However, with change comes opportunity. We were fortunate to welcome our new Executive Director, Melanie Anderson, whose passion and seasoned leadership have already begun positioning us for a successful future. While Melanie did not officially join until FY24, the groundwork laid during FY23 helped prepare us for a smooth transition.
Funding Challenges and Record Assistance
FY23 also brought financial challenges as pandemic-era funding, which helped us scale our services during the COVID-19 crisis, began to wind down. With the conclusion of these emergency funds and the social work team we had built in response to the pandemic, we faced tough decisions about how to continue providing crucial support to our community.
Despite these obstacles, Arlington Thrive disbursed a record amount of emergency financial assistance to our neighbors in need. Over the course of the year, we provided critical support to more than 3,000 individuals, helping families avoid eviction, keep the heat on, access life-saving medications, and more. The level of need in Arlington remains high, but thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to fill the gaps during a time of financial uncertainty.
Expanding Our Scope of Services
While emergency financial assistance remains at the heart of what we do, FY23 saw a continued expansion of our holistic programs. Listening to our clients and partners, and recognizing that financial emergencies often reflect deeper, more systemic challenges, we worked to address these broader needs through our Early Childhood Program. This initiative connected families to affordable childcare, giving parents the security and flexibility to pursue employment opportunities.
We also laid the groundwork for several new initiatives that would launch in FY24:
- Wee Thrive Baby Box Program: Designed to provide essential infant health and wellness supplies to low-income families, this program ensures that every child gets a healthy start.
Community Navigator Program: This initiative offers in-depth, goal-driven support to help clients improve their earning capacity and achieve long-term stability.
A Community Rallies Together
The success we achieved in FY23 was only possible because of the incredible support we received from our donors, partners, and community members. During a year of uncertainty, your generosity was our anchor. Your commitment helped us stay grounded and provided us with the resources we needed to adapt, grow, and continue serving those who need us most. In the words of our Board President, Karen Daniel, “Your generosity was the anchor that kept us grounded during these uncertain times.”
As we look back on FY23, we are deeply grateful for the resilience, compassion, and partnership that defined this year. And as we move forward, we carry with us the lessons learned and the strength gained from this period of transition.
Together, we are creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Want to learn more?
Explore our full FY23 Impact Report here to see how your support made a difference last year.
