Atrium Health’s Training for Healthcare Readiness, Inclusion, and Vocational Empowerment (THRIVE) program is creating meaningful career pathways for young adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. A $40,000 gift from the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. provided the seed funding to launch the pilot in fall 2025 for students at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Metro School.
THRIVE is designed for transition-age students as they prepare to enter the workforce. It offers a structured, supportive path to careers in healthcare and life sciences at Atrium Health while helping students build independence, confidence, and long-term career readiness. Each week, six to eight young adults ages 18–22 participate in hands-on workforce development experiences. Plans are already underway to hire the program’s first participant, an early milestone in the program’s success.
At the center of this experience is the STEM Lab, located within The Pearl Innovation District, serving as the program’s primary learning and training hub. In this environment, students engage in hands-on healthcare simulations, medical technology demonstrations, and career readiness instruction rooted in real-world practices. From there, learning extends across The Pearl, where students move beyond the classroom to experience healthcare operations, firsthand.
Through work-based learning, students build practical skills while exploring careers in environmental services, nutrition services, hospitality, and equipment support. Mentorship, informational interviews, and job-shadowing experiences help them gain insight and confidence.
THRIVE addresses two persistent barriers: limited employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a lack of accessible workforce training tailored to their needs. Across the country, people with disabilities continue to face disproportionately high unemployment rates. THRIVE responds with a structured, supportive program that builds skills, confidence, and real-world experience in a healthcare setting.
The grant from the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society funded training materials such as CPR kits and adaptive medical tools, along with health literacy resources, social-emotional learning supports, mock interview materials, workplace supports, transportation assistance, and communication aids. These investments help students fully participate in the program and build the skills and confidence needed for future employment.
Donor support has been essential to launching THRIVE. As the program grows, continued partnership among employers, educators, and philanthropic supporters can help create a sustainable model for inclusive hiring and expand career pathways for young adults interested in healthcare and life sciences.