About

ITHRIVE Empowerment Inc. (ITHRIVE), was founded in 2018 by Juanae Johnson, who currently serves as the Executive Director, to address the unique needs of girls who come from low-resource communities of vulnerable and endangered girls. Its goal is to impact girls and women age 12 to 25 positively that often feel invisible, vulnerable, powerless, and hopeless. This population is particularly susceptible to human trafficking, teen drug abuse, and poverty. Nearly 40% of children in the United States live in low-income families with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

 

Students living in communities with high poverty levels are 4x more likely to be chronically absent. Reasons for this include unstable housing, unreliable transportation, and a lack of access to health care. By 6th grade, chronic absence is a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. According to the Department of Justice, girls are lured/forced into prostitution as young as 12. Many girls that are rescued self-identify as runaways have truancy charges, engage in sexual contact prior to age 13, live with one parent or have one parent incarcerated, have a history of family violence or drug abuse, or have been sexually abused.

 

By investing in these girls, ITHRIVE aims to rebuild deteriorating communities and deter juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, teen drug abuse, and a host of other problems plague underserved and neglected communities. ITHRIVE’s vision is to create a haven by teaching life skills, self-love, and life skills focused on leadership, personal growth, business etiquette, and entrepreneurial strategies. ITHRIVE is dedicated to the success of a population of girls who are often hidden in plain sight.