WHO WE ARE

WELCOME TO THRIVE!

THRIVE Child Development Centre / THRIVE Centre de développement de l’enfant helps children and youth with diverse abilities to achieve their highest potential. One of twenty-one children’s treatment centres across Ontario, we support children & youth from 0–18 years of age who are impacted by differences in physical, perceptual, communication and/or developmental trajectories. We build on their unique strengths, gifts and talents so that they and their families can truly THRIVE!

OUR NAME

The word “thrive” speaks to the goal of each of our staff members, whether they work directly or indirectly with the children and youth we support. Thrive embodies the conviction and commitment that all staff have, knowing that we can help change their lives. We don’t simply work with the children and youth we serve; our goal is to see them reach their full potential—in other words, to THRIVE!

The Centre is an incorporated, non-profit charitable organization with accountabilities to a Board of Directors, the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, the Ministry of Education, the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board, and the Algoma District Social Services Administration Board. THRIVE is a proud member of Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO). EKO represents all 21 Children’s Treatment Centres in Ontario as a strong and united voice across our province.

OUR VISION

A future of possibilities.

OUR MISSION

THRIVE empowers children and their families to reach beyond what is expected toward the extraordinary.

VALUES & BELIEFS

Our deeply held values and beliefs guide our approach to serving families, working with each other, and working with our community partners. We strive to emulate them in all our interactions.

We believe in:

The voice of our children, youth, and families
Interactions framed by respect and dignity
Opportunity through fairness, equity, and inclusion
Achieving excellence through innovation, curiosity, and optimism
The power of teamwork and partnerships

OUR HISTORY

THRIVE Child Development Centre opened its doors in 1952 as a project of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Board of Education, and a local group of physicians. The goal of the project was to provide therapy services to children with physical disabilities who were attending school. The Centre, initially called “The Rotary Children’s Centre,” was incorporated in 1983 as a freestanding Children’s Treatment Centre funded by the Ministry of Health. The Centre’s name was changed to “Children’s Rehabilitation Centre – Algoma” in 1996 to reflect its broader community involvement. In 2016, the name was changed to THRIVE Child Development Centre in order to capture the true spirit of the work that we do here.

DIVERSITY

THRIVE embraces and respects all types of diversity. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Committed to creating positive space within our organization, we welcome clients, families, volunteers, staff, and community partners from all cultural, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds.

FUNDING

THRIVE’S funding, the majority of which comes from the Ontario Ministry of Children and Community Social Services. Our donors help us enrich services to the children and youth in our Algoma communities by enabling the development of innovative programs and clinics, as well as the purchase of new technology.

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, as founder of our centre, has been a proud benefactor since our inception in 1952.