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OUR STORY 

Founded in 2018 by Juanae Johnson, ITHRIVE Empowerment is dedicated to tackling critical issues affecting vulnerable girls and young women. Our mission centers on empowering girls aged 12 to 25 who face challenges such as poverty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including human trafficking. By addressing root causes like chronic absenteeism, unstable home environments, and a lack of resources, ITHRIVE strives to break cycles of vulnerability and provide these young women with the tools they need to succeed.

 

The organization's work highlights the urgency of its mission. Nearly 40% of U.S. children live in low-income families, and students in high-poverty areas are four times more likely to experience chronic absenteeism, which is a leading indicator of dropping out of school. Girls in foster care are particularly vulnerable, with studies showing that approximately 60% of child sex trafficking victims in the U.S. have a history in the foster care system. Foster youth are also at a higher risk of abuse, neglect, and educational disruption, contributing to their susceptibility to exploitation. 

According to the Department of Justice, girls are often lured or forced into prostitution as young as 12. Many of these girls have experienced truancy, sexual abuse, family violence, or parental incarceration. Without intervention, they remain at high risk for exploitation, teen drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and continued cycles of poverty. 

ITHRIVE's holistic approach aims to change this trajectory by fostering self-love, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. Their programs equip girls with essential life skills and offer a safe, supportive environment for growth.

By focusing on providing tools to overcome challenges in identity, self-worth, leadership, and personal development, ITHRIVE empowers girls and young women to confidently navigate life and succeed. Through our suite of programs, we equip them with the skills to lead, excel, and contribute meaningfully to society. Our vision extends beyond uplifting individuals; we aim to ignite a ripple effect that catalyzes the transformation of entire communities, creating a lasting impact for generations to come.

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EDUCATE 
EMPOWER 
TRANSFORM
 

Founded in 2018 by Juanae Johnson, ITHRIVE Empowerment is dedicated to tackling critical issues affecting vulnerable girls and young women

MEET OUR FOUNDER 

JUANAE JOHNSON

In 2018, I founded ITHRIVE Empowerment Inc. with a simple yet powerful mission: to Empower, Educate, and Transform the lives of girls ages 12-25. I wanted to do more—to provide a new path forward for young women navigating life’s toughest challenges and help them step into their full potential. 

When I looked back on my own life, I realized something profound: the only thing that kept me pushing for greatness and out of trouble was God’s grace and the gift of exposure. Exposure, I believe, is the window to possibility. 

IT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Growing up, I was fortunate to participate in life-changing programs like Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas, Smith Barney Stock Exchange, and Cessna Aircraft Company. These experiences opened my eyes to life outside my early surroundings, shaping my identity and teaching me a valuable truth:

THE ONLY LIMITS THAT EXIST ARE THE ONES THAT WE PLACE ON OURSELVES.

As I ventured into the real world, I made a promise—to myself and to the next generation of girls—that I would create opportunities for them to explore, grow, and be exposed to experiences that could transform their lives the way those opportunities transformed mine. 

Additionally, as a Special Agent, with more than two decades of experience working in the areas of child exploitation and human trafficking, I saw firsthand the devastating realities that many young girls face. This work deepened my understanding of the vulnerabilities young women experience—poverty, neglect, abuse, and exploitation. It also fueled my passion to take action. I knew ITHRIVE had to be a safe haven and a launchpad for young girls to reclaim their lives and rewrite their futures. 

At ITHRIVE, we teach entrepreneurship, self-empowerment, and creative expression—not just as skills, but as pathways to power:

  • The power to defy the odds.

  • The power to overcome the sting of abuse, poverty, and neglect.

  • The power to take control, dream bigger, and boldly define your future. 

Because when you EMPOWER A GIRL you’re not just changing her story—you’re helping her rewrite it. ITHRIVE is my passion and my purpose, and together, we’re building a brighter, more resilient future for the young women who will lead the world. 

Let’s THRIVE, together.

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