"Breakfast With Santa"

Holiday spirit filled the air as the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 3808 Union played host to the Center’s annual “Breakfast with Santa”. About 100 Plaza residents gathered in fellowship and fun to take pictures and whisper wishes in Santa’s ear. Families engaged in seasonal arts and crafts while they waited, and each child personally received a take home goody bag from the big guy. The CWA Local 3808 Union continues to show its support for the CWA-Cayce Learning Center and the families it serves.

Special Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Roger Womble and the CWA Local 3808 Board

THRIVE GOES GREEN!

The middle school students of the THRIVE after school program helped the environment and enriched their local community through one of their seasonal community service projects. The students maintain complete creative control over their projects and collective decided on a beautification venture for their very own, CWA Plaza Apartments. With the help of Ms. Carol Norton, Chair of Rediscover East; Ms. Vicki Crick, On-Site Complex Manger of CWA Plaza Apartments; and a band of gracious volunteers, 13 students planted ten trees along the apartment grounds. They incorporated teamwork and hard work as they planted, mulched, and watered the seedlings. Mr. Thomas Solensky provided guidance and the center’s Board showed its support as Mr. Ed. Phillips, lent a helping hand. CWA complex staff helped with preparation and even a few high schoolers donated their time. Wednesday November 25 was a great day as THRIVE students showcased their community and environmental pride!

The THRIVE middle school students would like to give a special thanks to:

Ms. Carol Norton, Rediscover East
Mr. Thomas Solensky, Soundforest.org
Ms. Vicki Crick & Mr. Jeremiah Crick, CWA Plaza Apartments
Ms. Tanga Gibson & Mr. Andre Johnson, CWA Plaza Apartments
Mr. Ed. Phillips, Director of Multifamily Program, HUD
Ms. Annette Fuller & Ms. Crystal Goodman, HUD
Ms. Mekayle Houghton & Mr. Augie Houghton, Project Blue Streams
Ms. Deonna Ladd, Ms. Sonaida Adam, Ms. Yasmine Eli, & Mr. Sanad Adam, THRIVE
Metro Beautification

Students Take A Stand Against Violence

THRIVE students partnered with the Oasis Center and the Youth Opportunity Center to help stop youth violence in Nashville. The citywide "Keeping Our Youth" March was hosted by Youth United and was held on November 14. Middle and high school students made signs and walked from the Juvenile Justice Center to the Metro Courthouse; advocating along the way. Following the march, students heard speeches from community leaders, payed homage to lives lost, and learned alternatives to youth violence. It was a memorable day for the city as THRIVE youth did their part to better their community.

A Commitment to Community

Elementary students participated in their first community service project this week. Students volunteered with the Martha O'Bryan "Meals on Wheels" Program. The program delivers hot lunches to senior citizens that might not otherwise receive a nutritious meal. Students created wonderful place mats and delivered them ,along with lunch plates, to seniors living in East Nashville's Edgehill Manor. They took pictuers with each participants and had a Blast!

Center Programming

Computer Lab Hours
Monday – Thursday
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Adult Basic Computer Class
Wednesdays
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Adult English Class (ESL)
Tuesday & Thursday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

THRIVE Hours
Monday – Thursday
2:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Back To School

After and exciting summer, it's already time for students to report back to school. The first day (half day) of school will be on Friday August 14 and the THRIVE after school program will begin on Monday August 17.

Changes this year

- THRIVE @ CWA is only accepting 55 students this year. High school students will sign up at CWA-Cayce Learning Center but will be bused and housed at the Martha O'Bryan Center. Stop by to register your child/children as soon as possible, as vacancies are limited.

- In addition to two full-time AmeriCorps positions, the center will be adding two new part-time AmeriCorps positions. As in years past, AmeriCorps memebrs will be assisting with THRIVE.

-THRIVE will also be hiring Transition Coaches to work directly with middle and high school students. Coaches will help students reach their individual goals and assist them in transitioning to high school and/or college.


The THRIVE After-School Enrichment Program continues to provide a safe and exciting learning environment for students in the Stratford cluster; offering services designed to develop citizenship awareness, strong character, and educational strenghts that lead to marketable skills and higher education.

An end to a great summer!

THRIVE summer activities ended at Percy Priest Lake with a boat ride, picnic, and an opportunity for students to showcase their talents and group pride. From 2nd grade to high school, each grade level performed skits, dances, and song. Swimming , games, and good food topped off a great summer with great children. July 23 might have been the end of summer activities but fall programming is just around the corner.

THRIVE Summer Enrichment Program

High school students pause for a lunch break after catching some waves at Wave Country.

Students prepare and enjoy helathy snacks after a bike ride to nearby Shelby Bottoms and a discussuion on healthy living.

THRIVE Summer Enrichment Program

THRIVE High school students visited Nashville's Channel 5 for a business tour. They met anchors, like Lelan Statom, and found out what it takes to have a successful career in journalism .

New Center Director

Emmanuel Ehiemua is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and was one of three children born to Nigerian American parents. He attended John Overton High School before obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University.

Emmanuel began his career in community support as a HIV/AIDS counselor and top presenter for Project Community Outreach for Prevention and Education (C.O.P.E.) at Meharry Medical College’s Elam Mental Health Center. After the birth of his first child, Emmanuel directed his energy towards helping children and building self advocacy for low income families. He joined the Metropolitan Action Commission Head Start Program and was quickly promoted to the position of Parent Involvement Coordinator while also spearheading the local Head Start Fatherhood Initiative.

An advocate for the underprivileged community, Emmanuel has served on the TENNderCare Advisory Board and the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TNHCC), and is a current member of Alignment Nashville's Refugee and Immigrant Support Services Committee (RISSC), United Way's Ryan White Community AIDS Partnership Committee(RWCAP), Nashville Safety Net Assessment's Community Advisory Committee (CAC); and Health Committee Chair of the Nashville Branch NAACP.

Emmanuel joined the MOB THRIVE team in June of 2009 as the Director of CWA/Cayce Learning Center and is now dedicated to the mission of the Center and Martha O’Bryan Center.