About Us
Our Mission
Improve the lives of transgender youth across the United States by educating their communities, connecting them with new and existing resources, and providing them with much needed representation.
What We Do
Thrive: Better Lives For Trans Youth is an organization rooted in the concept of being able to be loudly, and safely, yourself in all aspects. Our goal is to not only reduce the harm transgender youth are experiencing but to build and foster a world in which they no longer live in fear and are instead, able to Thrive.
AK Hazel, Founder
I’m AK Hazel (They/Them) and I am the proud founder of Thrive: Better Lives for Trans Youth. After coming out as non-binary at fifteen years old, I found myself looking for resources and representation on how to navigate the world while being a member of the LGBTQ community. I quickly took up the job of advocating for myself and my community, and have now been a trans and gender nonconforming youth advocate for over 12 years. Over these 12 years, I've used my partnerships with other LGBTQ organizations, Pennsylvania Pride tours, and the platform provided by the Miss America Opportunity to help transgender youth across the state of Pennsylvania and look forward to taking my work further across the nation as it is needed now more than ever.
