THRIVE OUTSIDE WASHINGTON D.C.

The Thrive Outside Washington, D.C. Community is a network of organizations committed to maximizing the value of public spaces along the Anacostia River to residents of Ward 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia. The network recognizes the importance of community-based and civic organizations and the value of parks and outdoor experiences in addressing social justice, health, employment, respite, and other issues impacting economically stressed communities.

Thrive Outside D.C. works to provide a forum for local leaders to strategize more deeply and identify joint projects, this includes resources for community groups for operational resources like communication, coordination, and grant writing support, and physical resources like event and meeting supplies. 

The goals of the network include ensuring that D.C. youth and residents in Ward 7 and 8 are safe and have access to the Anacostia River and parks. This includes building the capacity of social and environmental organizations to lead meaningful park experiences that increase collective power-building through on-the-ground outdoor experiences and connect private, city, and government agencies to the community in a more meaningful way.

Key Focus Areas:

Social justice, health, employment, respite, and other issues impacting economically stressed communities

Backbone Organization:

Friends of Anacostia Park (FoAP)

Steering Committee Partners:

Anacostia Parks and Community Collaborative. Anacostia Coordinating Council, Making A Difference (MAD), Soul Track

Community Partners:

Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), Bread for the City, Center for Non-Profit Management, Chocolate City Bike Club, DC Attorney General’s Office, DC Environmental Film Festival, Earth Conservation Corps, Martha’s Table, Metropolitan Police Department, Opportunities for Deserving Children (ODC), United Planning Office