Thrive’s Parent Place – Supporting Families from the Start
At Greater Gallatin United Way, we know that a thriving community starts with strong families, and our Community Impact Partner Thrive embodies this belief every day through their Parent Place. This free, prevention-based program provides parents and caregivers with the tools they need to lay the foundation for healthy child development, offering services like parenting classes, developmental and literacy screenings, and engaging family events.
Why does this matter? Because a strong start prepares a child for a lifetime of success, and not all families have access to the same resources at the start of their journey. Thrive’s Parent Place helps bridge that gap, giving parents critical support during the earliest and most formative years of their child’s life. Research from the Children’s Bureau shows that successful parent education leads to safer, more nurturing homes and reduces the risk of child abuse and neglect.
The need is urgent: 1 in 3 children in Bozeman enter kindergarten without the foundational skills needed to learn to read. Last year, 126 kindergartners in the Bozeman School District did not meet literacy benchmarks, and students who start behind often stay behind. In fact, 54% of Montana students in grades 3–8 are not proficient in reading.
Thrive is working to change that, especially for English Language Learners. Over the past decade, Gallatin Valley’s Latino population has grown by 179%, yet resources for Spanish-speaking families remain limited—and Montana is one of only two states that does not receive federal ELL funding. Thrive fills this critical gap by creating programs that meet families where they are, increasing literacy and school readiness for ELL children and connecting caregivers to culturally relevant resources and support.
Thrive’s approach is rooted in prevention, compassion, and partnership. By working with families early, they help prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences and reduce the need for costly future interventions. Their work—alongside GGUW and other local nonprofits—ensures every child, in every family, has the chance to succeed.
Together, we’re laying the foundation for a brighter future.
To learn more visit Thrive’s website.
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