What is the THRIVE! Challenge? The THRIVE! Challenge is an initiative of The Health Collaborative, which supports and highlights the organizations and community groups throughout the Dan River Region that are working to improve the health of our community.

What are the THRIVE! Awards? The THRIVE! Awards are a time to celebrate the success of the organizations and individuals who have been improving our community's health. The first annual THRIVE! Awards will be given in honor of Laurie Moran, founding convener and coordinating committee member of The Health Collaborative. Her spirited passion and longstanding commitment to building a vibrant, healthier and more resilient Dan River Region, provided inspiration, strategic guidance and an inclusive leadership framework to The Health Collaborative. While all participating organizations and community groups will be celebrated, up to six THRIVE! Awards will be presented to those who are going above and beyond to make the healthy choice the easy choice in the places where we live, learn, work, play, pray, and age. These awards include $500 in THRIVE! funds to continue impacting health in the region.

The celebration will take place on Thursday, October 12th 3:15 p.m. at Averett University as part of the 2017 Health Summit. By applying, you are acknowledging that you can be present for the awards ceremony. Winners will be contacted by the selection committee before the Health Summit

Qualifications: To apply for a THRIVE! Award, organizations, worksites, individuals, schools, childcare providers, etc. must reside or have a place of operation within Caswell County, NC; City of Danville; VA or Pittsylvania County, VA. The program, policy, or environment change must have taken place between September 1, 2016 and September 1, 2017 and impacted the region.

How to apply: Applicants are eligible to apply for multiple categories, but may only win once in each category as selected by the judging committee. Up to two awards may be given in each category. Individuals and organizations may nominate themselves or others for awards. Applications can be submitted here through The Health Collaborative website, or mailed to Elyse Jardine at 512 Bridge Street, Danville VA 24541. Applications can also be dropped off in person. The deadline for award submissions is September 29 at 5:00 p.m.

• Program: A wellness program is an effective method to promote health and well-being among staff, congregation, and community members. Programs encourage awareness of health-related issues, improve morale, and often reduces the cost of healthcare (examples include lunch & learn programs, walking programs, health challenges, health competitions, support groups, etc.).
• Policy: A policy is a wellness principle, rule, or guideline formulated and adopted by an organization, church or community group to assist members in maintaining or achieving wellness goals. Policies are designed to influence staff, guide decisions and actions (examples include tobacco free grounds policy, wellness committee policy, food and beverage policy, employee assistance policy, etc.).
• Place (Environment): Environmental change is a way of modifying the workplace, church, school or gathering place to make healthy choices practical and available to all employees and community members. By changing the physical landscape, a big impact can be made (examples include mapping out a walking trail, having a garden or quiet room on site, having a bike rack and/or shower facilities available for commuters, etc.).

For questions concerning the THRIVE! Awards and this application contact Jason Bookheimer at 434-799-5150 or bookhjl@danvilleva.gov