It’s not easy networking, finding a job or even making new friends when you are restricted by a mental disability.

Unless, perhaps, you Thrive.

Thrive, a new student group on campus, is trying to give mentally disabled adults a softer landing on the other side of high school graduation.

“Once students [with disabilities] graduate from high school, which has served as the main social arena for the majority of the students, the opportunities for socializing are minimal,” said Julie Evans, a physical education coach for Athens- Clarke County schools. “I have spoken to many former students and parents that are desperately looking for opportunities for socialization and recreation.”

After hearing about Evans’ concerns, five of Terry College’s Leonard Leadership Scholars program participants came up with Thrive.

“We just really wanted to create an opportunity and community where they could succeed and go further,” said Katie Kellogg, a junior from Stone Mountain and one of the founders of Thrive.

“Thrive was a really appropriate term for that,” she said.

Evans said Thrive will “provide access to social, educational and recreational settings for adults with disabilities as well as an opportunity to advocate and inform the general public about people with disabilities.”

She said Thrive will focus on three main goals: socializing, skills training and employment opportunities.

“[Many participants] are mentally disabled usually to the point where they are not independent,” said Austin Hodge, a junior from Forsyth County and a founder of Thrive. “Their parents have to help them with a lot of things. They really have no social life.”

To address the education aspect of Thrive, speakers will help disabled adults and their families interact better with each other. Team members will talk to parents to find out what skills will be most helpful.

Thrive also plans to help these adults find employment opportunities.

“Obviously there will be limitations on employment opportunities,” Hodge said. “We’re going to try to get them involved in something they can do that will help them live more of an independent life even though they can’t live out on their own. [It's] something they can do for themselves and take pride in.”

Thrive hosted a social at their first meeting last week. Invitations were sent out to about 25 recent high school graduates in the Athens area.

“At the event we ended up having about six participants and their families come,” said Megan Gaither, a junior from Chickamauga and a founder Thrive. “It was a huge success. We got to meet with the parents separately and hear about how we can best serve them.”

Gaither looks forward to beginning to hold regular meetings next semester.

“It felt like we were doing something really worthwhile,” Gaither said. “We were paying attention to a need that has been neglected in the Athens community. After [the participants and their families] left, we were just really excited.”

The main goal of Thrive is to help the adults live better lives.

“We want these young adults to not be held back by anything and to thrive in their community,” Hodge said. “We want them to get involved in all aspects of life and not just settle for one thing or another. We want them to really be able to pursue life.”