Thrive in the 05
ASU OCHER founded the Thrive in the 05 initiative in Tucson, Arizona in 2017.
The Choice Neighborhoods project aims to address the needs of the distressed Tucson House public housing community and surrounding THRIVE in the 05 neighborhoods. This place-based, comprehensive planning and action project will result in a transformation plan to build assets and holistically address needs across housing, people, education, and neighborhood outcome areas. ASU OCHER serves as the research partner and lead for the CHOICE People and Education component.
ASU OCHER launched REACH AZ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. REACH AZ is a warm helpline for older adults in Tucson to connect to volunteers in order to promote social connection and to prevent isolation and loneliness. Older adults in Tucson can call 1-833-REACH AZ and connect with a REACH AZ volunteer. Individuals can also sign up for weekly social calls where a volunteer will call them, check in, and chat.
Helping Hands Care Project
COVID-19 has exacerbated needs for everyday essential items among Thrive in the 05 community members. To respond to this need, we launched the Helping Hands initiative, which focuses on delivering essential supplies to Thrive in the 05 households in need. In July 2020, we were awarded a $20,000 COVID-19 Relief grant from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to support our Helping Hands initiative. To date, we have delivered close to 1,000 helping hands care packages to residents throughout the community, including the Tucson House residents and in the Old Pascua neighborhood.
Thrive in the 05 Resource Café
THRIVE in the 05 Resource Cafés began in May 2020 as a way for local organizations to communicate with Thrive residents about services, supports, and resources, especially related to COVID-19 resources. The Thrive in the 05 Resource Café features short interviews with community organizations. Residents can access the Resource Café via phone by calling into the Zoom webinar, via @asuocher on Facebook Live, or through the Thrive in the 05 website. To date, Resource Cafes have featured the local school district, government, health department, tribal council, library, food bank, utility providers, first responders, and a number of nonprofit groups serving families, children, older adults, and small businesses.
Our IMPACT
ASU OCHER Earns 2021 ASU President's Medal for Social Embeddedness
