Your efforts exemplify the spirit of service, community partnership, and positive impact

…You have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the quality of life for Charles County residents. Your efforts exemplify the spirit of service, community partnership, and positive impact….We commend and honor your vision, hard work and meaningful contributions that strengthens and inspires our community.

…With Gratitude

…with gratitude for it’s [Upward Thrive Academy, Inc.] unwavering dedication to uplifting and serving our community, with appreciation for all it does to touch the lives of others, and with best wishes for it’s continued success.

An amazing nonprofit…

Charitable Trust Staff visited an amazing nonprofit [UTA] yesterday who is in desperate need of help from the community!

I just want to thank the #community and especially the Upward Thrive Academy

I just want to thank the #community and especially the Upward Thrive Academy for attending my latest Commissioner Patterson Community Townhall on education, Docket 90, and the 2024 Charter document. These young journalists were a joy to have…

UTA has been a true blessing to our family

UTA has been a true blessing to our family. Throughout our two years with UTA, our children have been able to express and find talents while building confidence and lasting friendships. This organization has helped them understand and put into practice vital life skills, including integrity, sportsmanship and positive self expression. Whether on stage or on paper, we have witnessed them grow in their own abilities; and have watched all they have gained through their interactions, support and encouragement of their peers.

Shout Out to Upward Thrive Academy Theatre! 

I want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the incredible work being done by Upward Thrive Academy Theatre in building confidence among our young people. Your dedication to empowering the next generation through the performing arts is truly commendable, and the impact you’re making on their lives is immeasurable.

In a world that often challenges the self-esteem of our youth, Upward Thrive Academy Theatre stands tall as a beacon of encouragement and personal growth. By providing a safe and nurturing environment for young performers to explore their talents and express themselves, you are instilling them with lifelong skills and invaluable self-assurance.

Keep shining brightly and uplifting the spirits of our youth. Bravo, Upward Thrive Academy Theatre

…providing stability, security, and hope to families who need it most. 

…Since the program’s inception at our school, it has provided critical support to families experiencing food insecurity by ensuring that students have access to nutritious meals over the weekends. 

To date, Upward Thrives has provided 398 weekend backpacks filled with food for our students. What started as a program serving 30 students has now grown to 40 students, thanks to Upward Thrives’ dedication and commitment to meeting the needs of our community. This growth reflects the increasing demand for food assistance and the vital role the program plays in supporting our students’ well-being. 

Families have expressed immense gratitude for this support. One parent shared, “This program has made such a difference for our family. Knowing my child has food for the weekend allows me to focus on other needs without constant worry.“Another family stated, “The support from Upward Thrives has been a blessing. It has truly helped us get through tough times. “ 

As a Community School Coordinator, I have seen firsthand the direct impact of this program. When students have their basic needs met, they come to school more prepared to learn, engage, and succeed. Upward Thrives is not just providing food-it is providing stability, security, and hope to families who need it most. 

We are incredibly grateful for Upward Thrive

The Weekend Backpack Program is invaluable to our school community. It provides essential nourishment
and allows our students to focus on their education and reach their full potential. We are incredibly grateful for
Upward Thrive and the positive impact it has on our students and families.

The program has proven to be instrumental to our students and families

…Every week, Upward Thrive Academy delivers weekend backpacks for our students who are in need of additional food to help support them during the weekend. It provides families with access to healthy food on the weekend who experience food insecurity. In addition to this support, Upward Thrive Academy has provided turkeys for our holiday baskets, coats for our winter coat distribution and socks. We continue to partner to determine programs for our school and how Upward Thrive Academy can support. The Upward Thrive Academy program has proven to be instrumental to our students and families who look forward to receiving their weekend backpack each week.

The program ensures our families have additional food over the weekend

Our students often face food insecurities and hunger, especially on the weekends.  The Weekend Backpack Meals Program provided by Upward Thrive Academy has stepped in to provide our students and their families with sufficient and healthy food when school is not in session. This not only supports our families in need but also eases their financial burden in the face of rising food costs. The program ensures our families have additional food over the weekend, when the students do not have access to school breakfast and lunch programs. It also enables students to prepare their meals, if necessary, further enhancing its practical benefits.  I appreciate Upward Thrive for their dedication and support.  The services they provide to those in need throughout our county and our school is commendable.  The resources their program supplied to our students and their families this year truly has made a difference and has helped endure the challenges of food insecurities.  Thank you Upward Thrive. 

Thank You UTA!

Thank you Ms. Alicia and Mr. Mike [Upward Thrive Academy] for supporting my vision and helping me meet the objectives of my project. Your words of encouragement will forever keep me inspired and cover me with God’s grace.

…they should be in every school in Charles County.

These magazines [Get Up and Goal Magazine] are amazing, they should be in every school in Charles County.

The young scholars left empowered

Upward Thrive Academy, Inc., provided voter registration training to its journalism and media club members this week.  These young journalists learned about voter registration process and what it means to cast your vote. The young scholars left empowered to exercise their right to vote one day.

Upward Thrive Academy, Inc. is an amazing organization!

[My children] had their movie premiere tonight. They were cast members with the Actin Up Theatre Troupe and I’m super proud of them both! It was fun but it was a lot of work too as my show business friends know. It’s a lot if work to film movies especially with kids! Lol… Upward Thrive Academy, Inc. is an amazing organization! They had to overcome a lot of obstacles today to make this night possible but they prevailed like they always do. It’s not everyday that the Gibson’s get to get dressed up in our best. The kids felt and looked great!

I am so appreciative of all that you all do to support our youth. 

You all did an amazing job on the magazine. The cover and inside graphics are fire. The articles are phenomenal…we’re so stoked. I am so appreciative of all that you all do to support our youth. 

The entire publication is amazing!!!!!!

The Magazines arrived. The entire publication is amazing!!!!!!

The masks are great…

The masks are great. Fit comfortably and are easily adjustable. Thank you for what you do.

Thank you for handmade masks…

Thank you for your kind donation of handmade masks for the staff at Hospice of Charles County.

Thank you soooo much…

Thank you soooo much for the bags. They are amazing!

Christmas Joy

Working with Upward Thrive Academy and our blessed donors we were able to bless five families in the local community with Christmas joy!

Amazing

This [Magazine] is amazing!

It was very educational…

Thank you for the bookbag and equipment. It was very educational. I liked everything there was inside. 

…all the goodies included with it are so nice.

Thanks so much! The backpack and all the goodies included with it are so nice. My grandson loves it and he checked out the challenge and enjoyed it. I will be passing the magazine to my friend’s granddaughter.

Very helpful…

The book bag was nice and the journal was very helpful. I look forward to the videos. 

We are Overwhelmed with Gratitude

Our school received book bag donations for the students who would benefit most from Get Up and Goal. The book bags provided by Upward Thrive Academy exceeded our expectations. The bags were filled with so many goodies to help our kids get moving and stay active during this Pandemic. We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you for your donation.

The items in the backpack will bring joy to their faces…

I appreciate the backpacks that you have provided for the children in our community. This Pandemic has impacted so many for the last year. My heart is concerned about the social-emotional learning and needs for these, our children. For many of them, school was a safe haven where their needs were met. The items in the backpack will bring joy to their faces and remind them of how to take care of themselves. You will never really know how this kind gesture will allow these children to feel that they are loved, and someone is thinking about them.

I enjoyed the many exercise items…

The video and backpack are really nice. I enjoyed the many exercise items. Thank you.