bowl of tomatoes served on person hand

Rooted In Community

Building health and connection in Laurens County, one neighbor at a time.

Our Mission

Our Vision

We envision a thriving Laurens County where everyone—regardless of income, background, or zip code—has the opportunity to live a healthy, active, and connected life.

About Us

THRIVE Laurens County brings people together to expand access to nutritious food, safe places to be active, and wellness resources for all residents of Laurens County.

THRIVE Laurens County is a coalition of residents, organizations, and institutions working together to improve health and well-being across Laurens County. Rooted in the strengths of our rural community, we focus on making healthy choices easier by expanding access to nutritious food, encouraging active living, and connecting people to local resources.

Our Core Team

Tedra McGillan, Co- Chair

Renita Barksdale

Jervelle Fort, Co-Chair

Alesia Carter

Our Focus Areas

We are dedicated to providing equitable access to the resources necessary for an improved quality of life and a foundation in preventative health.

Access to Fresh, Nutritious Food
Community Listening & Engagement
Promoting Active Living
Advocacy & Community Impact
Community Partnerships & Collaboration
Connecting People to Local Resources

We work to increase access to healthy, affordable food for individuals and families across Laurens County, particularly in under-resourced areas.

We support safe, accessible opportunities for physical activity for people of all ages and abilities.

We advocate for policies, programs, and environments that support healthy eating and active living across Laurens County.

We host listening sessions, conversations, and engagement opportunities to better understand local needs, barriers, and ideas.

THRIVE Laurens Coalition brings together nonprofits, healthcare providers, schools, local businesses, government agencies, and residents to align efforts and share resources.

We spread the word about local health and wellness resources through social media, community outreach, and partnerships.

Our Partners In Community