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.

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

David Flynt

Chief Operating Officer

Jill Amos

Chief Clinical Officer

Shelley Stuart

Director of Prevention Services

Kyleigh Motiwala, MPH

Director of Data and Outcomes

Gina McGirt

Office Manager

Thrive Staff

Alexia Akuchie

Counselor

Tony Barcelona

Recovery Assistance Program Manager, Peer Specialist

Michele Buldo

Community Outreach

Susana Carranza

Executive Assistant

Jenny Cossio

Bookkeeper

Catherine Damutz

Prevention Specialist

KJ Demich

Peer Support Specialist

Cat Fisher

Front Office & Drug Testing Assistant

Marissa Greenwood

Manager of Human Resources & Administration

Holly Hughes

Counselor

Rich Kohler

Peer Specialist

Maureen Kunkel

Counselor II

Dan Jones

Drug Lab Technician

Morgan McPartlan

Prevention Specialist

Lisa Mellott

Data Integration Manager

Daniel Rionda

Prevention Specialist

Molly J. Scanlon, PhD, MS

Counselor II

Ariel Suarez

Prevention Specialist

Mauri Waldman

Counselor

Chris White

Prevention Specialist

Thrive Board Members

Chief

Chair
Chief David Curry | Vero Beach Police Department

Board Member Headshots Thrive-13

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

Thrive Board members-06

Secretary
Honorable Judge Nicole Menz | Circuit 19 County Court Judge

Thrive Board members-03

Treasurer
Jake Koontz | New Age Business Solutions

Chief

Chair
Chief David Curry | Vero Beach Police Department

Board Member Headshots Thrive-13

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

Thrive Board members-06

Secretary
Honorable Judge Nicole Menz | Circuit 19 County Court Judge

Thrive Board members-03

Treasurer
Jake Koontz | New Age Business Solutions

Thrive Board members-02

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

Thrive Board members-01

Wilfred Hart | School District of Indian River County

Thrive Board members-02

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

Board Member Headshots Thrive-14

Wilfred Hart | School District of Indian River County

Thrive Board members-08

Lindsay Concannon |
Cypress Bank & Trust

Thrive Board members-09

Chelsea Moulton |
Pur Health

Thrive Board members-08

Lindsay Concannon |
Cypress Bank & Trust

Thrive Board members-09

Chelsea Moulton |
Pur Health

1631553447437

Ainsley Schneider | Shipt

Thrive Board members-04

Lt. Phil Huddy | Vero Beach Police Department

1631553447437

Ainsley Schneider | Shipt

Thrive Board members-04

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.