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THRIVE New England

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Kennebunk, ME
THRIVE New England

We prevent exploitation and serve those who have already been affected by commercial sexual violence.

The idea for Thrive New England began to take shape in March 2014 with a small group of passionate Mainers desiring to provide aftercare for teens who have survived the horrors of human trafficking. As we learned more about the prevalence of human trafficking throughout New England, the devastating harm to the victims, and the limited options for comprehensive, specialized care, we determined to c

reate a sustainable model for facilitating restoration. After years of research and support from many volunteers, the Thrive Restorative Care Program was developed to meet the unique needs of teen survivors of sexual exploitation. Informed by adult survivor leaders, this program is specially designed to offer a long-term, survivor-driven, strengths-based restorative path, made possible by various trauma-informed partners, including – licensed professionals and professional groups, service agencies, faith-based organizations, colleges, etc. During the research phase of Thrive’s development, the need for prevention measures to protect kids from exploitation became obvious. Teens usually have a period of time before being trafficked when they can say “no” and walk away. We knew that teens needed tools and training in order to recognize and avoid grooming, exploitation, and other dangerous situations. In the Spring of 2018, we launched our Thrive Prevention Program at Sanford High School! This program has continued to expand into different locations and youth-serving organizations each semester. Our goal is to bring this prevention program to schools, colleges, and community groups in the New England area and stop trafficking before it takes place! In early 2019, as a way of honoring and encouraging our survivor leaders, we began a program to equip adult survivors of trafficking as they transcend the trauma of their past and engage in personal growth. Thrive’s Survivor Leadership Program provides customized 1:1 coaching and support groups to provide practical guidance for building confidence and attaining goals. We are excited for you to link arms with us and join our movement!

09/03/2026

As kids head back to school, it’s a great time to talk about safety—not just in the classroom, but online, too.

A few simple conversations now can help create safer boundaries throughout the school year.

* Check chat settings. Know what features are available on the apps your child uses and turn off unnecessary chat or contact features.

*Set boundaries. Talk about who they can connect with online—and remind them that it’s okay to come to you before responding to someone or meeting someone.

* Choose platforms together. Not every app is appropriate for every age. Have an open conversation about what’s safe, what isn’t, and why.

* Talk about posting. Help kids understand what information, photos, and locations are appropriate to share—and what should stay private.

Keep the conversation going. The most important safety tool is a trusted adult who will listen without judgment.

Being a safe, trusted adult is one of the best forms of prevention. Kids need to know they can come to us with questions, mistakes, uncomfortable conversations, or situations they don’t understand.

The strongest safety net we can give kids is a trusted adult they know they can turn to. Start the conversation, keep it open, and let them know you’re there—no matter what.

08/21/2026

Jen Ross Dix is doing what she loves to end what she hates! She has swum 11.26 miles of the 15 miles she hopes to swim during the month of August for her Fundraise for Freedom campaign. She has raised 70% of her $2500 fundraising goal.
You might not be able to swim 15 miles, but we can all do something to support survivors.
Raising $5 or $5000, every dollar provides life changing programming for survivors here in New England.
Want to cheer Jen on? Leave a note of support below!
Do you have an idea for your own Fundraise for Freedom?

08/18/2026

Do What You Love to End What You Hate.

It’s a simple idea with a lasting impact.

Join the Thrive community by creating your own peer-to-peer fundraising campaign and use the things you already love to do to help end the cycle of exploitation and abuse for local survivors.

Maybe you love to swim or run, like our board members Jen Dix and Mariah Larocque. Maybe you’re hosting a Labor Day BBQ and can turn a day of connection, food, and fun into an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Thrive.

There are so many ways to get involved—and your idea doesn’t have to be complicated.

What will you do for Fundraise for Freedom?

08/12/2026

A survivor suffered a severe concussion this last month. While she was repeatedly told that she was "fine," she was also warned to watch for symptoms of a brain bleed and instructed to have someone monitor her closely.

For someone already living with the effects of trauma, those instructions created overwhelming fear and uncertainty. Without someone to explain what was happening or recognize how trauma amplified her anxiety after a head injury, she repeatedly returned to the emergency department, terrified something life-threatening had been missed.

With the support of her mentor, she began to understand what she was experiencing. Her anxiety became more manageable, her symptoms became less overwhelming, and she started find a little bit of peace.

This story isn't about blaming healthcare providers. It is about recognizing that systems designed to help often overlook the realities survivors face. Instructions like "have someone monitor you" assume a support system exists.

Reassurance without education can leave a survivor feeling dismissed rather than safe. A few extra minutes of trauma-informed communication can prevent repeated visits, reduce fear, and improve outcomes.

08/07/2026

Right now, survivors in Thrive's programs are facing a growing crisis.

For many, food assistance simply isn't lasting through the month. Housing vouchers don't cover essentials like toiletries, cleaning supplies, or other household necessities. Transportation costs continue to rise, and recent reductions in Medicaid-funded support have left survivors with even fewer resources to meet their basic needs.

These aren't luxuries—they're the everyday necessities that make it possible to stay housed, get to work, attend appointments, and continue rebuilding a life free from exploitation.

You can help bridge these critical gaps by donating gift cards to stores such as Walmart, Market Basket, or Hannaford—businesses that are easily accessible to the survivors we serve throughout New England. These gift cards allow us to respond quickly when someone needs groceries, hygiene items, household essentials, or transportation.

Gift cards can be mailed to:

Thrive New England
PO Box 1821
Sanford, ME 04073

Or, if you prefer, you can make a financial gift through our website at https://www.thrivenewengland.org/give, and we'll use it to meet survivors' most urgent needs.

Thank you for helping ensure that no survivor has to choose between buying groceries, getting to an appointment, or purchasing the basic necessities that support healing and independence. Every gift helps fill the gaps when other systems fall short.

07/30/2026

Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

This year's United Nations theme, "Trapped Behind the Scam," shines a light on one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking: people being lured by false job offers, trafficked across borders, and forced to participate in online fraud operations. Behind many scams are real victims whose freedom has been stolen by organized criminal networks.

But trafficking isn't only happening overseas.

Here in New England, young people are being groomed online, exploited by people they know, manipulated through relationships, and trafficked in our own communities. The methods may look different, but the same tactics are used everywhere: deception, coercion, isolation, and exploitation.

At Thrive, we believe the most effective response begins long before someone is identified as a victim. Through prevention education, survivor-led mentorship, and long-term restorative care, we're working to stop exploitation before it starts and help survivors build lives defined by freedom—not survival.

Ending human trafficking isn't just the responsibility of law enforcement or nonprofits. Every one of us has a role to play.

💙 Learn the signs of grooming and exploitation.
💙 Talk openly with the young people in your life about online safety and healthy relationships.
💙 Listen to and believe survivors.
💙 Support organizations providing prevention education and long-term care.
💙 Share accurate information to help your community recognize that trafficking is a local issue—not a distant one.

Real change begins in our neighborhoods, our schools, our workplaces, and our homes. When informed communities take action together, we make it harder for traffickers to operate and easier for survivors to find hope and healing.

Today, let's stand with survivors in New England and around the world—and commit to building communities where every person is free to thrive.

07/24/2026

What if something you love could help a survivor rebuild their life?

That's the heart of Fundraise for Freedom—a campaign that turns your hobbies, celebrations, or community events into hope for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.

Host a BBQ, organize a pickleball tournament, run a race, hold a bake sale, or create your own fundraiser. Every dollar raised helps Thrive provide survivor-led mentorship, restorative care, prevention education, and the support survivors need to move from surviving to thriving.

Ready to make a difference? Start your Fundraise for Freedom today and help create freedom, one fundraiser at a time.

07/04/2026

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we also recognize that for many survivors of exploitation and trafficking, freedom isn't just a historical ideal—it's a deeply personal journey.

Freedom is finding safety after living in fear.

Freedom is having choices after years of control.

Freedom is rediscovering your voice after being silenced.

Freedom is believing that your future can be different from your past.

At Thrive, we have the privilege of walking alongside survivors as they rebuild their lives through mentorship, community, and hope. Their courage reminds us that freedom is more than a day on the calendar—it's something worth protecting, pursuing, and making possible for everyone.

As you celebrate this weekend, we invite you to listen to Brynn's powerful spoken word piece and reflect on what freedom truly means. Together, we can build communities where every person has the opportunity to live safely, freely, and with dignity.

Wishing you a safe and meaningful Fourth of July.

06/30/2026

For the past few months, our In Their Shoes exhibit has been quietly waiting for its next home—and we're looking for churches, businesses, libraries, schools, community centers, and organizations willing to host it.

In Their Shoes is a powerful educational art exhibit featuring shoes transformed by survivors and young people to tell stories of exploitation, resilience, healing, and hope. Each pair invites visitors to step into experiences that are too often hidden in plain sight, creating space for compassion, conversation, and greater understanding.

Communities that host the exhibit help:

*Raise awareness about sexual exploitation and trafficking in New England.
*Challenge common myths and misconceptions.
*Give survivors a platform to be seen, heard, and understood.
*Inspire meaningful conversations that can lead to prevention and change.

Human trafficking isn't something that only happens somewhere else—it exists in our own communities. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to recognize it, prevent it, and support those impacted.

If your church, workplace, or community organization would be interested in hosting In Their Shoes, we'd love to connect and explore how we can bring this impactful exhibit to your space.

Send us a message or email us to start the conversation. Together, we can make the hidden visible.

Address

112 Main St
Kennebunk, ME
04043

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.thrivenewengland.org/

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