Empower multicultural communities to THRIVE!
Thrive Nation Youth Program is a youthful, thriving, multicultural community! We want to see every immigrant and refugee adolescent in Spokane THRIVE.
Who are we?
Adolescence is tough for anyone, and even more so for those who have recently left their home country behind and are now learning a new language. The Dance Group/Choir, free soccer camps, and gym night at the YMCA help cultivate community leadership among immigrant youth.
Our mission
The Thrive Nation Youth Program contributes to our thriving multicultural community by empowering refugee and immigrant youth: connecting with them, connecting them to one another, and connecting them to valuable resources through our programs and partners. We recognize the unique challenges and potential that refugee and immigrant youth face in Spokane. We seek to see them befriended and supported by the wider Spokane community.
Ultimately, the Thrive International Youth Program prepares youth for long-term success in areas of mental, personal, and spiritual growth. Specifically, this program exists to empower refugee and immigrant youth to become leaders and peacemakers, and to create positive changes in their communities.
Elements of Thriving
Physical : Health
Emotional : Well-Being
Financial: Interdependence
Spiritual : Vitality
Social : Community
Meet the Team
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Jackson Lino
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT DIRECTOR
Greetings! I'm Jackson Lino, and I proudly serve as the Director of the Thrive International Youth Program. My journey began in South Sudan, and at the age of 13, I embarked on a life-changing adventure to the USA. Since then, my heart has been set on guiding young minds to hunger for peace, justice, equality, and unity.
Spokane has been my home for the past nine years, and I've cherished every moment of connecting with our diverse youth community. Beyond my passion for youth empowerment, I find solace and joy in the great outdoors—hiking, biking, and being near the water.
My greatest wish is for a world where kindness triumphs, and my curiosity often leads me to wonder why humans must buy land when it's meant for us to live in together.
In my view, leadership isn't about control; it's about empowering the youth of this generation to unleash their potential and shape a brighter future. Join me in the pursuit of a world where kindness reigns supreme.
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Michael Harris
YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Hi, I’m Michael, the Youth Program Coordinator at Thrive! I am originally from the East Bay in California, and moved to Spokane in 2017 to study Theology at Whitworth University. I started volunteering at Thrive when it began in 2021 and haven’t been able to stop!
My passion is serving the youth in our community and being a supportive adult figure in their lives. I hope to be a source of joy, love, wisdom, and friendship to the kids in our community, as well as provide opportunities and support on their path to thriving.
My other passions include music production, playing sports like Ultimate and Soccer, and spending time in the outdoors.
