Day Enrichment

Thrivival Academy's Day Enrichment Program offers a powerful, supportive path for youth facing school suspension or expulsion. We know young people on the cusp of adulthood thrive with structure, accountability, and real encouragement. Our program creates a safe, nurturing environment that helps them re-engage with education, build essential life skills, and step into a brighter future. Through focused study time and engaging activities, youth make real academic progress while developing social connections and practical skills such as financial literacy and home economics. We view every young person through a strengths-based lens. A youth previously involved in street-level sales, for example, may actually be a talented entrepreneur with strong instincts for marketing, logistics, and business. At Thrivival Academy, we help redirect those natural abilities toward legitimate opportunities and lasting success. Above all, we instill the values of honor, courage, and commitment. We teach youth to do what is right, even when it is hard. By combining accountability with genuine opportunity, our Day Enrichment Program helps young people get back on track, strengthens families, and builds safer communities.

Evening Enrichment

Thrivival Academy's Evening Enrichment Program provides essential structure and positive guidance during the critical after-school hours when youth are most vulnerable. We combine supervised academic support with exciting, hands-on enrichment activities that expand horizons and ignite new passions. We go beyond standard tutoring by exposing youth to new experiences they might never have tried. These include music appreciation, creative arts, racquetball, martial arts, woodworking, auto repair, cooking, nutrition, and home management. These practical skills prepare them for independent adulthood. At Thrivival Academy, we believe every young person has unique strengths and interests waiting to be discovered. We collaborate with each participant to build a personalized curriculum around what lights them up. Whether that is video production, music creation, entrepreneurship, or mastering a trade, we provide strong mentorship and resources to help them pursue their passions and build a future worth fighting for. Our Evening Enrichment Program does much more than keep youth safe and supervised. It helps them uncover who they are, what they are capable of, and where they belong. This fosters confidence, character, and positive momentum that lasts well beyond the program.

Thrivival Academy’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program empowers young people to turn their creative ideas into real businesses, building confidence, skills, and a sense of ownership along the way. We guide youth in developing and launching their own ventures, providing the tools, training, mentorship, and real-world opportunities needed to make their visions tangible and profitable. Youth start by exploring their passions and brainstorming ideas, whether in arts and crafts, baking, woodworking, custom apparel, handmade jewelry, digital creations, or other innovative products. Through hands-on workshops and step-by-step guidance, participants learn essential business fundamentals: generating ideas, creating prototypes, sourcing materials affordably, setting prices, managing simple budgets, marketing their products, and delivering excellent customer service. We emphasize practical, age-appropriate training that sparks innovation and teaches financial literacy, problem-solving, teamwork, and perseverance. A key highlight is our partnership with the Montclair Farmers Market in Omaha, where youth get a dedicated venue to sell their creations directly to the community. This real-world marketplace experience lets them interact with customers, handle transactions, gather feedback, and celebrate their first earnings. We also connect participants with established vendors and local entrepreneurs in their niche for personalized advice, shadowing opportunities, and ongoing mentorship to refine their craft and business approach. At Thrivival Academy, we see entrepreneurship as a powerful way to redirect strengths toward positive, legitimate paths. A youth with street-smart logistics skills might excel at supply chain for handmade goods, or a creative marketer could thrive in promoting their baked treats. By channeling talents productively, the program fosters self-respect, reduces risks, and opens doors to future opportunities in work, education, or independent ventures. The program is open to all interested youth, especially those navigating challenges like school disruptions, family issues, or high-risk environments. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity and willingness to learn. We welcome self-referrals, family nominations, or partnerships with schools and community organizations.

Program Benefits Include:

Hands-on product creation and business launch experience

Mentorship from niche experts and local vendors

Real sales at the Montclair Farmers Market

Development of life skills: creativity, financial basics, communication, resilience

Building pride through earning and community recognition

Pathways to continued support for scaling ideas

Get Involved

Enroll a youth or refer a participant

Volunteer as a mentor, workshop leader, or niche expert

Donate supplies, tools, materials, or market booth fees

Partner with us (vendors, markets, sponsors)

Thrivival Academy's Family Partner & Support program provides compassionate, dedicated guidance to youth and their families, helping them build stronger bonds, navigate life's challenges, and create stable, thriving futures. We offer personalized support that feels like having a trusted mentor or "big brother/sister" in your corner, especially for young people facing tough circumstances such as gang involvement, school struggles, family conflicts, or limited community resources.Our trained Family Partners work side-by-side with youth and parents/guardians to:

Strengthen family communication, trust, and positive interactions through coaching and shared activities.

Build practical skills like goal-setting, conflict resolution, advocacy, and emotional resilience.

Help families understand and access community resources, education options, health services, and support networks.

Guide youth toward positive choices that reduce risks, avoid negative cycles, and open doors to education, employment, and personal growth.

Foster a sense of belonging, self-worth, and hope by celebrating strengths and creating safe, encouraging spaces.

We meet families where they are, offering flexible, ongoing support that can include regular check-ins, home visits, group workshops, or one-on-one mentoring sessions. While we collaborate with probation officers, schools, and courts when needed, the program is open to any family seeking extra guidance and partnership, no referral required.This program empowers youth to break free from hardship, families to gain confidence and self-sufficiency, and communities to become safer and more connected. Research on similar mentoring models shows that consistent, caring adult support leads to better school performance, reduced risky behaviors, stronger relationships, and brighter long-term outcomes.Every child and family deserves someone who believes in them and walks alongside them. Your support as a donor, volunteer, or partner can make that possible.Why Support This Program?

Donors: Fund scholarships for families, training for partners, or program expansion to reach more Omaha youth.

Volunteers: Become a Family Partner or mentor, sharing your time and life experience.

Partners: Collaborate as a school, church, business, or organization to refer families or provide resources.

Get Involved

Enroll your family or refer someone who could benefit

Volunteer as a Family Partner or mentor

Donate to sustain and grow this life-changing support

Partner with us to amplify our reach in the community

Thrivival Academy offers year-round training in conflict resolution and self-defense, led by dedicated instructors who prioritize practical, life-changing skills. Our program goes beyond physical techniques it equips youth with tools to navigate real-world challenges through calm, strategic communication and thoughtful decision-making. Conflict resolution teaches that true strength lies in de-escalating tension, understanding others, and resolving disputes peacefully whenever possible. We emphasize positive conflict resolution techniques rooted in proven principles, including:

KODIAK model (a structured framework for safe, respectful de-escalation in high-pressure situations),

L.E.A.D.S. (Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies, focused on managing confrontations through effective communication and behavior redirection),

EAR Statements (showing Empathy, Attention, and Respect to quickly calm upset individuals and build connection),

Insights from Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George J. Thompson, which treats words as a tactical tool to redirect behavior, defuse aggression, and persuade without force,

Techniques from De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less by Douglas Noll, offering immediate, actionable steps to reduce emotional intensity and restore calm,

Strategies from Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen, guiding youth through emotionally charged talks with clarity, empathy, and mutual understanding.

These approaches help young people recognize early signs of conflict, listen actively, respond thoughtfully, and turn potential escalations into opportunities for positive outcomes. To complement these verbal and mental skills, we incorporate confidence-building and discipline through martial arts training, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), MMA, and Boxing. Led by experienced practitioners like Brown Belt Isaiah Grant, these physical disciplines provide a healthy outlet for energy, teach self-control and perseverance, and develop practical self-defense capabilities when words alone aren't enough. At Thrivival Academy, conflict resolution and self-defense are about shaping character, fostering resilience, and surrounding youth with positive influences. Participants gain the tools to handle disputes constructively, build unshakeable confidence through progress, and thrive in any environment — on the mats or in everyday life. This holistic approach creates not just skilled individuals, but responsible, empathetic leaders ready to make a difference.

Thrivival Academy is in the planning stages for a transformative Summer Day Camp program that will help Omaha's youth unplug from screens, reconnect with nature, build resilience, discover new strengths, and create positive summer memories in a safe, supportive setting. This initiative targets young people facing challenges such as school disruptions, family stress, high-risk behaviors, or limited access to enriching activities. It offers structure, adventure, and genuine growth opportunities.Our Vision
We aim to launch a week-long (or multi-week) day camp first, running Monday-Friday (for example, 9 AM to 4 PM) at local parks, green spaces, or partnered venues in Omaha. The focus will be on digital detox. Youth will leave devices behind to fully engage in the present moment while fostering teamwork, creativity, self-confidence, and joy through hands-on outdoor experiences. As resources grow, we plan to expand to overnight camping sessions. This will add deeper immersion like extended wilderness stays, evening campfires, stargazing, and multi-day adventures to strengthen bonds and build lasting independence.Planned Activities (What We're Designing for Day Camp)
Our program will blend outdoor exploration, skill-building, active play, and reflection for a balanced, engaging experience:

Nature hikes and exploration: Guided trails, wildlife observation, plant and tree identification, and nature journaling to spark curiosity and appreciation for the environment.

Team-building games: Scavenger hunts, relay races, cooperative challenges, and group activities to encourage communication and trust.

Adventure basics: Introductions to archery, orienteering with maps and compasses, knot-tying, simple survival skills, and low-impact challenges.

Creative and hands-on crafts: Nature-inspired art, woodworking projects, DIY creations with found or recycled materials, and other tactile activities.

Active fun: New sports introductions (for example, frisbee basics, racquetball elements), movement games, and energy-positive play.

Wellness and values moments: Group circles for sharing stories, mindfulness practices in nature (for example, quiet listening walks), and discussions on core values like honor, courage, commitment, and self-respect.

Themed weeks: Rotating focuses such as "Wilderness Explorers," "Creative Adventurers," or "Team Builders" to keep energy high and variety fresh.

The camp will target ages 10-17 (adjustable based on community input), with planned support for snacks, meals, and transportation as funding allows. No prior experience is required. Just an open mind and willingness to try new things.Current Status & Path Forward
We are actively in the development and resource-gathering phase. At this time, we do not have the necessary funding, transportation solutions, equipment (for example, sports gear, craft supplies, safety items like first aid kits), or secured venues to launch. However, with community partnership and support, we can move toward a pilot day camp soon and build toward overnight camping in the future.We are seeking:

Volunteers with backgrounds in youth mentoring, outdoor education, first aid or CPR, activity instruction (for example, archery, crafts, games), or camp planning and coordination.

Donors and Sponsors for startup funds, equipment purchases, transportation options (for example, vehicle partnerships or bus rentals), snacks, insurance coverage, or scholarships to ensure accessibility and low or no cost for participants.

Partners (local parks departments, churches, businesses, outdoor organizations, schools, or community groups) for venue access, in-kind donations, expertise sharing, or collaborative planning.

Interest and Input from families, youth, educators, or supporters to help refine activities, timing, themes, and priorities. Your feedback will directly shape the program.

If you believe in giving youth meaningful, screen-free summers that build purpose and positive pathways, your involvement now can help turn this vision into reality. It starts with day camp and grows to include overnight adventures.Get Involved Today

Share your interest, ideas, or suggestions for the camp

Volunteer your time, skills, or experience

Donate funds, equipment, supplies, or in-kind resources

Connect us with potential partners or spread the word

Thrivival Academy is currently developing the Youth Literacy & Reading Intervention Project. This focused literacy initiative is designed to help at-risk K-12 youth in North Omaha rebuild confidence in reading and re-engage with learning.

The project will provide daily supervised small group and one on one tutoring sessions. Youth will use high interest books, graphic novels, literacy software, interactive games, and dedicated tablets or mini PCs. Every young person will receive the personalized tools and support needed to strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. This is especially helpful for those reading below grade level or learning English as a second language.

All aspects of the project are in the planning stage. We are actively accepting volunteer tutors, especially university students, to help deliver engaging, evidence based instruction that makes reading fun and meaningful. Youth will use the new technology and materials during structured literacy sessions.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the 12 month project period, we expect:
75 percent of participating youth to increase their reading comprehension by at least one full grade level.
At least 60 percent of youth who entered below grade level to reach or exceed grade level benchmarks on the STAR Reading assessment.

This dedicated literacy project will serve as the foundational building block for our upcoming K-12 Homeschool and Equivalency Pathways Program. It creates a stronger pathway for every young person to thrive academically and in life.

Spark Passion Through Purpose
At Thrivival Academy

We believe every youth deserves more than just survival. They deserve the tools and confidence to truly thrive. The Youth Literacy & Reading Intervention Project is a powerful step toward making that vision a reality for Omaha at risk youth.

Interested in supporting this program?
We welcome donations of books, technology, or financial contributions. We are also accepting volunteer tutors, especially university students. Contact us today to learn how you can get involved.

Thrivival Academy is in the planning stages for a transformative new program that will equip even more at-risk youth and their families with a complete, flexible educational solution right here at our Omaha academy. The K-12 Homeschool and Equivalency Pathways Program will operate as a multi-family exempt school and combine full homeschooling (kindergarten through 12th grade), personalized tutoring, and targeted GED preparation (ages 16 and older) into one safe, structured environment. Youth will receive daily supervised academic support and tutoring while continuing to participate in our signature strengths-based activities including Big Unc mentorship, martial arts, entrepreneurship workshops, conflict resolution, life skills, and passion-driven enrichment. Families will choose from integrated pathways designed around each young person's needs and goals: K-12 Homeschool

Pathway:

Personalized academics leading to a homeschool diploma, meeting all Nebraska requirements. Tutoring and Academic Support Pathway: One-on-one and small-group tutoring woven into the daily schedule.

GED Equivalency Pathway:

Focused preparation and testing support in partnership with local adult education providers. By sparking passion through purpose, this program will help young people redirect their natural abilities, re-engage with learning, build unshakeable confidence, and step into a brighter future whether through a homeschool diploma or high school equivalency credential.

We are currently in active development, coordinating exempt-school filings with the Nebraska Department of Education, securing partnerships, preparing personalized learning plans, and ensuring every detail aligns with our mission to reduce risks and foster lasting success. Help Bring This Program to Life Launching the K-12 Homeschool and Equivalency Pathways Program is a major step forward in our commitment to Omaha's at-risk youth and families.

We are actively seeking generous donors, grant partners, foundations, and community supporters to help fund curriculum materials, technology, additional staffing and training, facility updates, and scholarships for participating families. Every contribution, large or small, will directly impact children and teens by giving them the structure, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive instead of just survive.

Interested in supporting this exciting expansion? Contact us today or donate through our Amazon registry or general fund. Together we can make this program a reality and change even more young lives.