Happy 15 years, WeTHRIVE!

As I look back over the past 15 years, I think back to when I first started at Hamilton County Public Health – there are only a few of us who can say we have been a part of WeTHRIVE! for the entire 15-year journey! A few thoughts stand out:

• The WeTHRIVE! initiative has grown! We started with three community teams in 2009. Today, we have 25 community teams, eight school teams, and nine child care providers.

• WeTHRIVE! continues to add valuable partners. Our partners are organizations in Hamilton County committed to helping child care providers, communities, and schools achieve their goals, by providing various resources or technical assistance. We added ten new WeTHRIVE! partners in 2024, bringing the total to 68.

• WeTHRIVE!’s focus is broader than ever before. We started out focusing solely on Chronic Disease. Today the initiative focuses on all aspects of health, safety, and vitality to ensure that all individuals have the ability to thrive.

To highlight the impact of WeTHRIVE! over the past 15 years, we asked our community and school teams to record testimonials, which we included in a special video that we played at the Recognition Event. One of the questions we asked was, ‘How would you describe WeTHRIVE! in just one or two words?’ In case you missed it, you can see the answers and more about the past 15 years of WeTHRIVE! here:

Just like the video, I asked the WeTHRIVE! team at Hamilton County Public Health to describe WeTHRIVE! in 2024 in one or two words. Their answers?

Resilient, collaborative, inspiring, empowering, creative, innovative, partnership, growth, encouraging, perseverance, welcoming, adaptable, interactive, supportive.

I believe that this year has been all of that and more. WeTHRIVE! teams came together and implemented creative, innovative strategies to address the needs of their community, school or child care. It’s our honor and privilege to walk with them through the journey of creating a culture of health, safety, and well-being.

To our WeTHRIVE! child care providers, communities, and schools – we are committed to partnering with you, identifying additional resources, and continuing to expand WeTHRIVE! to ensure that all residents in Hamilton County can THRIVE! Be on the lookout in 2025 for a new resource to help support your team throughout the stages of WeTHRIVE!

See photos from the 2024 WeTHRIVE! Recognition Event here!

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” I believe that you are changing the world!

We also announced the 2024 WeTHRIVE! Champion Award winners at the Recognition Event. Congratulations to Margaret Wienholts, Madison Kist, Ron Spears, Jr., Rhiana Hubbard, and ProducePerks. Watch for more information during Champions Week in January 2025!

Mary Ellen Knaebel
Director
Health Promotion and Education
Hamilton County Public Health

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Congratulations to the following child care providers, communities, and school districts for meeting WeTHRIVE! recognition requirements for 2024!*

WeTHRIVE! Communities:

• Addyston – 6^th year
• Amberley Village – 10^th year
• Anderson Township – 10^th year
• Arlington Heights – 7^th year
• Cheviot – 8^th year 
• Cleves – 1^st year
• Deer Park – 7^th year
• Delhi Township – 6^th year
• Elmwood Place – 4^th year
• Evendale – 8^th year
• Forest Park – 10^th year
• Golf Manor – 5^th year
• Green Township – 5^th year
• Lincoln Heights – 10^th year
• Lockland – 10^th year
• Miami Township – 5^th year
• Montgomery – 10^th year
• Mt. Healthy – 10^th year
• North Bend – 10^th year
• North College Hill – 7^th year
• Reading – 8^th year
• St. Bernard – 6^th year
• Whitewater Township – 9^th year
• Woodlawn – 10^th year
• Wyoming – 3^rd year

WeTHRIVE! School Districts:

• Lockland City Schools – 8^th year
• Mt. Healthy City Schools – 8^th year
• North College Hill City Schools – 7^th year
• Northwest Local Schools – 3^rd year
• Reading Community City Schools – 6^th year
• St. Bernard/Elmwood Place City Schools – 5^th year
• Three Rivers Local Schools – 7^th year
• Winton Woods City Schools – 7^th year 

WeTHRIVE! Child Care Providers:

• Hamilton County ESC Early Head Start – 1^st year
• Learning Clubhouse – 1^st year
• Play N’ Learn Child Care – 1^st year
• Tee Tee’s Daycare – 1^st year
• Tendercare Child Development Center – 1^st year

*While the WeTHRIVE! initiative started in 2009, annual recognition requirements were added in 2014. The numbers above represent how many years a child care provider, community, or school district has met these requirements. Some communities have been a part of WeTHRIVE! since the beginning!