Category: Shine Newsletter

The mission of The Mark Fidrych Foundation is to “enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs through and with a focus on sports and sports education.” For Ann Fidyrch, Mark’s widow, the Foundation is merely a continuation of Mark’s legacy of… Read More

Nicole living her best life in the library of her day program. Life is all about setting goals than working hard to achieve them. Nicole Rechel, a shining star in our Thrive community, has done just that. For years, Nicole longed to live in her own… Read More

As we close out 2018, I marvel at the amazing ways that Thrivers are living their best lives and reaching their unique potential. In the cover letter of this package, I shared the story of Jackie, a Thrive participant who graduated from the LEAD program… Read More

“We know that the earlier you reach a child with a disability, and his or her family, the more impact you can have on their lives,” shared Thrive President and CEO Michael Rodrigues. For that reason, Thrive has focused efforts on reaching children with disabilities earlier by keeping children engaged… Read More

I hope this message finds everyone in our Thrive community, happy, healthy and enjoying the summer. I recently had the honor of attending Thrive’s 2018 Leadership Experience and Development (LEAD) graduation. LEAD is a groundbreaking initiative that prepares and empowers young adults who want to learn what it takes to… Read More

David Howland enjoying the sights at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC. Growing up, David Howland used to hang out at the race track with his dad, who was a pit crew member and stock car driver. He remembers being in the pit and watching all the guys work with… Read More

Thriver’s enjoying the Punta Cana beaches and more! Now that warm weather is here, how quickly we forget that It seemed like winter was never going to end this year. A group of Thrivers ensured the end to their winter by heading off to warm sandy beaches and sunny days… Read More

It’s Thursday morning at Thrive, and the wafting smell of stir fry filled the air. As I strolled down to see what was going on, I spotted David carefully chopping vegetables and tossing them into the wok mixed with a delicious smelling sauce. What was going… Read More

  Back Left: Ryan Ng, Gio Pascal, Timothy Mantalvanos, Matthew McCarthy (Peer Mentor, former LEAD graduate), Samantha Grimaldo, Michael Rodrigues (Thrive President & CEO), City of Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant. Front Left: Caitlyn Kline, Jackie McCarthy, Kristen Camacho, Paula Cezar. Graduation season is in full swing and… Read More

Sky Hawks assistant coach Kevin Lutz. All athletes strive to make it to “the big game.”  In professional basketball “the big game” is the NBA Finals and for college ball, it’s March Madness. In the Thrive community, it’s making it to… Read More