Formerly Substance Awareness Center

Formerly Substance Awareness Center

Thrive has been the leader in substance misuse prevention and recovery services in Indian River County for over 35 years. Originally founded in 1989 as the Substance Abuse Council and later as the Substance Awareness Center, we began as a small organization providing resources, information and referrals on substance misuse prevention and recovery. Over the years, we have grown into the most complete prevention, recovery and treatment organization, expanding our services to meet the needs of our community.

Our goal is to eliminate substance misuse through prevention education and community awareness. Partnering with over 20 different schools and nonprofits, we build resilient youth in our community through prevention education, giving them the necessary skills to reduce the likelihood of substance misuse. Through community awareness initiatives, we empower parents and families with life saving knowledge. Our team of prevention strategists and licensed therapists are dedicated to continuously elevating the success of our evidence-based prevention programs, striving to protect and empower our community.

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We are committed to helping our community thrive by sharing the hope, healing, and possibilities that come with recovery from substance use disorders. As the leading organization providing recovery services in our community, we offer comprehensive and essential substance abuse treatment services including Day Treatment, Outpatient Services, Recovery Housing and Peer Support. Our licensed clinicians and certified peer support specialists utilize the most advanced evidence based approaches for youth and adult recovery.    

As the leading provider of comprehensive Drug Testing Services in Indian River County, judicial institutions  and businesses alike trust our state of the art equipment for reliable results. We are easily accessible to the community with a centralized location in Vero Beach and a second location in Sebastian. Child welfare, court programs and local businesses benefit from our services. 

Thrive IRC is powered by a passionate team dedicated to operational excellence and community impact. Our work is supported through local, state, and federal grants, foundation support, and private donations. Guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, Thrive upholds the highest standards of accountability and service. The Board meets monthly to ensure our mission stays on course and our operations continue to serve with integrity and care.

Thrive Leadership

Carrie Lester

CEO

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David Flynt

Chief Operating Officer

About- Thrive Staff Jill Amos

Jill Amos

Chief Clinical Officer

About- Thrive Staff Shelley Stuart

Shelley Stuart

Director of Prevention Services

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Kyleigh Motiwala, MPH

Director of Data and Outcomes

Gina McGirt

Office Manager

Thrive Staff

About- Thrive Staff Alexia Akuchie

Alexia Akuchie

Counselor

About- Thrive Staff Tony Barcelona

Tony Barcelona

Recovery Assistance Program Manager, Peer Specialist

About- Thrive Staff Michele Buldo

Michele Buldo

Community Outreach

About- Thrive Staff Jenny Cossio

Jenny Cossio

Bookkeeper

About- Thrive Staff Catherine Damutz

Catherine Damutz

Prevention Specialist

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KJ Demich

Peer Support Specialist

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Cat Fisher

Front Office & Drug Testing Assistant

About- Thrive Staff Marissa Greenwood

Marissa Greenwood

Manager of Human Resources & Administration

About- Thrive Staff Holly Hughes

Holly Hughes

Counselor

About- Thrive Staff Rich Kohler

Rich Kohler

Peer Specialist

About- Thrive Staff Maureen Kunkel

Maureen Kunkel

Counselor II

About- Thrive Staff Dan Jones

Dan Jones

Drug Lab Technician

About- Thrive Staff Morgan McPartlan

Morgan McPartlan

Prevention Specialist

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Lisa Mellott

Data Integration Manager

About- Thrive Staff Daniel Rionda

Daniel Rionda

Prevention Specialist

About- Thrive Staff Molly J. Scanlon

Molly J. Scanlon, PhD, MS

Counselor II

About- Thrive Staff Ariel Suarez

Ariel Suarez

Prevention Specialist

Christine White Thrive Staff

Chris White

Prevention Specialist

Maria Clark Thrive Staff

Maria Clark

Executive Assistant

Julia DeMott Thrive Staff

Julia DeMott

Prevention Strategist

Thrive Board Members

About- Thrive Board Member Chief David Curry

Chair
Chief David Curry | Vero Beach Police Department

About- Board Member Holly Mantle

Vice Chair
Holly Mantle, RN, MSN, JD | Law Office of Holly Mantle

Board Member Headshot

Secretary
Honorable Judge Nicole Menz | Circuit 19 County Court Judge

Board Member Headshot

Treasurer
Jake Koontz | New Age Business Solutions

About- Thrive Board Member Chief David Curry

Chair
Chief David Curry | Vero Beach Police Department

About- Board Member Holly Mantle

Vice Chair
Holly Mantle, RN, MSN, JD | Law Office of Holly Mantle

Board Member Headshot

Secretary
Honorable Judge Nicole Menz | Circuit 19 County Court Judge

Board Member Headshot

Treasurer
Jake Koontz | New Age Business Solutions

Board Member Headshot

Lt. Thomas Raulen | Indian River County Sheriff's Office

Thrive Board members-01

Wilfred Hart | School District of Indian River County

Board Member Headshot

Lt. Thomas Raulen | Indian River County Sheriff's Office

About- Board Member wilfred hart

Wilfred Hart | School District of Indian River County

Board Member Headshot woman smiling outside

Lindsay Concannon |
Cypress Bank & Trust

Board Member Headshot Woman smiling gray background

Chelsea Moulton |
Pur Health

Board Member Headshot woman smiling outside

Lindsay Concannon |
Cypress Bank & Trust

Board Member Headshot Woman smiling gray background

Chelsea Moulton |
Pur Health

About- Board Member Ainsley Schneider

Ainsley Schneider | Shipt

Board Member Headshot

Lt. Phil Huddy | Vero Beach Police Department

About- Board Member Ainsley Schneider

Ainsley Schneider | Shipt

Board Member Headshot

Lt. Phil Huddy | Vero Beach Police Department

Annual Report

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Thrive Compliance Information

The Substance Awareness Center of IRC was founded in 1989 as a resource for information and referral and has expanded the services offered as the community need has increased. We have embraced two positions, Prevention Works! and Recovery Works! Our programs are CARF accredited and state licensed.

Want to Support Our Mission?

Your contribution enables us to protect and empower our community from the risks and impacts of substance misuse.

Want to Support Our Mission?

Your support enables us to protect and empower our community from the risks and impacts of substance misuse.