Thriving Communities has used film to recognize and amplify the voices of community builders across the U.S. over the past twelve transformative years. This past week, we made an important announcement that marked a milestone in our organization's history that arose from both adversity and opportunity, displaying the same resilience that we see in the communities we serve.
Our tale of growth began long before 2024. Since 2022, we've experienced an organizational shift – the mission is still the same, but we have optimized our operations from video production to engagement and community connection. This year, we celebrated our first-ever film festival screenings of "Regenerating Communities," which included Rid-All Farm's remarkable efforts and producing three strong films about regenerative farms that represented this year’s theme of "Rising, Rooted, and Resilient."
Sometimes, the most profound growth results from unforeseen circumstances. When our beloved founder, Jerry, was in a serious bicycle accident this summer, our community showed its true strength. In a testament to the organization's depth and resilience, Jerry has chosen to commit Thriving Communities' future to the dynamic leadership team that has played a key role in our recent success. Eden Trenor and Anna Zefferys have Jerry’s full support and vision for our next chapter, and they are coming forward as co-leaders.
This shift is a logical extension of Jerry's visionary leadership, Eden's expertise in nonprofit capacity building and regenerative systems, and Anna's strategic savvy in organizational scaling, communications, and film. Joined by Ross Monagle as Film Producer, they have laid the framework for our most ambitious project yet: the Catalyst Circle.
The Catalyst Circle, which will launch in 2025, embodies everything we've learned about creating long-term community connections. This six-month incubator program will combine our hallmark filmmaking with structured learning, customized operational support, cultural exchange, peer learning, and networking—all geared to helping grassroots organizations flourish through uncertain times.
As we navigate this change, we genuinely thank Jerry for his ongoing strategic guidance and our community's support. We're excited about the prospects ahead and committed to growing our impact while remaining true to our founding vision: Daring to be in it together.
Stay tuned for additional information on the upcoming program, including digital film premieres and our plans for a special Gathering in fall 2025, which will mark our first since the emergence of the Catalyst Circle.