Crook County Library, Thrive C.O. expand social worker program

Free assistance for low-income residents on housing, other services

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Social workers from Thrive Central Oregon will now visit the Crook County Library twice a week., the organizations announced Monday.

In addition to their 11 AM–5 PM visits on Tuesdays, Thrive representatives will now provide free consultations for low-income Crook County residents every Friday from noon–3 PM.

Thrive was able to add Fridays to their Crook County rotation thanks to a 3-year, $185,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. These funds will support expansion of the Thrive program as a means to prevent homelessness and rehouse households experiencing homelessness in Crook and Jefferson counties.

“We are thrilled to have received this funding from Meyer Memorial Trust to better support our program in Crook County,” said Thrive executive director Sarah Kelly. “The (library) staff have been incredible partners for Thrive and the community of Prineville in bridging the gap to needed resources.”

According to an infographic available at www.thrivecentraloregon.org/our-impact, about 65% of the consultations Thrive provided in 2018-19 were related to housing.

Crook County Library has partnered with Thrive Central Oregon since January 2018. It is one of many locations around Central Oregon where Thrive has established a regular presence.

Through partnerships with libraries, health care centers, churches, and community centers throughout Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties, Thrive representatives helped over 2,500 local adults and families connect with services during the 2018-19 fiscal year.

People who meet with Thrive can get one-on-one counseling and connect with housing and energy assistance, food banks and kitchens, disability and senior support services, employment agencies, and other organizations that help fulfill basic needs.

Thrive Central Oregon seeks to connect individual needs with community resources by directly linking families to the permanent housing and services they seek. Individuals and families who are living with low-income are often in need of social services and support to make ends meet. A lack of knowledge of what the community has to offer, transportation and access barriers, and difficulty in navigating systems are primary reasons individuals and families are unable to access these community service supports.

Thrive bridges the gap for community members, meeting them where they are in public spaces, and providing vital connection to services and support that for many would otherwise not happen. To learn more about Thrive Central Oregon, visit www.thrivecentraloregon.org.

Crook County Library provides traditional and innovative library resources and programming to Crook County residents of all ages. It is an environment where people come together for lifelong learning, enjoyment, and connection. To learn more, visit them at www.crooklib.org.