Games were played and giggles were heard during the fourth annual Family Fun Fest at the Intergenerational Center, hosted by Thrive Coalition, formerly known as the Substance Awareness Center, in partnership with the Indian River County School District.
Throughout the day, nonprofits and vendors engaged with families through entertainment and activities, including bounce houses, a petting zoo, an escape room, bookmaking, free book giveaways, and an elementary school robotics race.
Michele Buldo, Thrive Coalition director of community outreach, said the event was another big hit, noting that an estimated 1,200 people were in attendance.
“I really wanted to bring something to the community,” said Buldo.
She explained that she was looking for a way to get families together so that they might learn about the community resources available to them, while at the same time keeping the youngsters engaged.
Despite its new moniker, Thrive will continue its goal of supporting the community through leadership, awareness, education, assistance and healing.
Buldo said the new name for the nonprofit is to better convey its commitment to empower the entire community so that everyone thrives.
“We’re here for everyone,” she added. She said their goal is to work together to “achieve the capacity to be and become our best selves, make healthy choices, and thrive.”
Over the past 35 years, the organization has provided resources, prevention strategies, and recovery services to address substance misuse and behavioral health and promote long-term wellness.
They have reached more than 75,000 students through educational programming regarding substance misuse, giving teachers and students the knowledge they need to avoid the risks of addictive substances.
For more information, visit thrive-irc.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
