On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Summit County officials gathered on Frederick Boulevard in Akron to celebrate the grand opening of THRIVE House, a new facility that will provide transitional housing and continued care for newly released individuals from the Summit County Jail who are unhoused and participating in the jail’s THRIVE program.

The THRIVE (i.e., Transition. Help. Restore. Independence. Value. Empower.) program was developed in 2022 as a collaboration between Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree and Summit Psychological Associates. The THRIVE House is an extension of this program, providing housing for those participating in the program who are unhoused at the time of their release.

The 14-bed facility will be staffed 24/7/365 by Community Support Services, who will provide vocational, clinical, and housing support. The goal of the THRIVE House is to help those impacted by mental health and substance use disorders be connected to community-based treatment and other resources.

Funding for case management is provided by the Summit County Executive’s Office through opiate abatement funds. The THRIVE House is owned by Summit County Land Bank and was leased to Community Support Services for short-term behavioral health housing as well as vocational and clinical support. Funding for the transitional housing and on-site services is provided by the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADM) Board.