Jaden Caine, 23, has reset his goals after experiencing some tough times - and (fortunately) sometimes with a little help.  

After a rough patch in middle school following his parents' divorce and initially “not doing well” in high school, he set his sights on a career in medicine.

As a sophomore at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, he found it wasn’t “realistic” to attend school while working full time, and sought advice from Denise Hanson, who arranged for Thrive to pay him to enter data for Root 2 Rise. The flexible work schedule let him continue in school.

He hasn’t looked back since, earning certification as a nursing assistant and as a medical aide, and now attends college to become  a registered nurse while working at a state hospital.

“I don’t just want to earn a degree. I want to start at the bottom and work my way up,” he said.

He considers himself fortunate to be “surrounded by determined people,” including his mother who earned an MS degree while raising eight kids.

“I try to learn as I go. I understand that I fail sometimes, and when I do, I seek advice. Sometimes you have to go through hard times to get to a better place,” he said, noting that high school students often benefit from assistance after graduation.

Hanson, the Founder and Executive Director of Root 2 Rise, said Jaden’s experience is an example of the targeted and timely help that Thrive provides.

“The right help at the right time can make a huge difference,” she said.