THRIVE Appalachia is a youth development program serving 120 teens ages 11–18 through after-school and summer programming in Yancey County. Through hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and leadership development, THRIVE empowers young people to build practical skills, explore career pathways, and create opportunities for their future.

An IMPACT Grant from WNC Bridge Foundation is helping THRIVE Appalachia plan, design, and build a new carpentry studio and community learning space using trees that fell during Hurricane Helene. Through a series of community dialogues, the project will identify unmet community needs, strengthen partnerships, and create a shared space that supports youth workforce development and broader community collaboration.

“This project is about more than building a structure, it’s about creating a space where young people and community partners can learn, collaborate, and build a stronger future together.”

Pana Columbus, Executive Director of THRIVE Appalachia