Rising Stars: Meet Ariana Wyndham of youngstown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Wyndham.

Hi Ariana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thrive Mahoning Valley started out as a bilingual resource guide which existed on our website. From 2017 to 2019, the organization began to establish roots in the Mahoning Valley, connecting new residents in the area to resources; and whenever possible, providing assistance to families who moved to the Valley after natural disasters hit Puerto Rico.

During the Covid-19 outbreak of 2020, the organization’s strategic plans were slowed down until our team was able to begin building capacity. By 2023, Thrive MV had one paid staff person, two Americorps VISTA members building capacity, and two Notre Dame Mission Volunteers focusing on direct services. Unfortunately, due to federal funding cuts and increase in cost, the organization was not able to continue either of the volunteer programs.

After a year of service as one of the Americorps VISTA members, I joined the Thrive MV team part time as Program Coordinator. Soon after, our team and organization began growing quickly. Since 2025, we have had three full time staff members in leadership and one part time staff member. We now have paid positions for our Executive Director, President of Operations, Program Director, and our Program Associate.

Our programs have grown as well. What began as a website of resources is now a whole program we call ThriveLink which is an expanded, bilingual community resource that includes a printable PDF guide, a customized local map, a language access page, and even more resources listed. While we do have lots of outreach and direct service programming our most successful programs are Pedal Forward and our efforts to establish an immigration law clinic in the Valley.

Since 2023, we have given out over 200 bikes to adults in need of transportation across Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. Our typical bike recipients do not have vehicles; they may be new or returning residents; or they do not have the local support systems in place to have access to rides outside of our limited public transportation system. Earlier this year, we officially launched our Pedal Forward Bike Shop – a social enterprise created to sustain our program providing free bikes to adults in need.

For several years, our team has been working to fill a gap in legal services available to our immigrant neighbors. We are now close to meeting our goal of $50,000 to establish legal services to serve immigrants in need. This will help cover an immigration attorney, a Department of Justice Accredited Representative, and other needs to make filings for adjustment of status, asylum, refugee status, and more.

In February we also launched a farmers market to help increase access to fresh and healthy food in our community!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Something that has always been a challenge is funding for programs and staff, and gaining the trust and support of our community. Our mission has always been to make the Mahoning Valley a welcoming and equitable place for everyone – because everyone deserves to live a happy, fulfilling and thriving life where they feel a sense of belonging.

At times, there have been people who are completely opposed to our vision and that can make things hard when we are trying to grow our impact in the community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I see myself as a professional and creative. I’ve always been passionate about the arts and have been a multi-media artist for most of my life. It has only been the past 3 years that I have worked in the professional world, specifically in the non-profit sector.

I have an Associates of Applied Sciences in Human Services and a Bachelors of Science in Youth/Family Services & Administration from Purdue Global University.

With my creative background, life experience, and education, I feel I have a wide range skillset. I’ve learned and grown throughout the roles I have had at Thrive MV and my other part time job as a digial literacy educator. I’m bilingual and skilled in communications and marketing, graphic design, strategic planning, staff/volunteer training, case management, data analysis, public speaking, event planning, bilingual digital literacy and education, youth/adult education on various topics, and more.

I’ve also learned a lot about transportation infrastructure and bicycles. I can assess most issues on typical bikes – from a flat tire, to identifying more complex issues like bottom bracket bearings that need serviced. I have also learned how to do some basic repairs myself and I am constantly learning more and more types of work done for our bike repairs.

I think what sets me apart from others is that I love to do all kinds of things and I am creative and thoughtful. I often go out of my way to help someone in whatever is needed. Whether it’s showing them how to recover their Google account or showing them how to ride and fix their bike, I very much enjoy it.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
As corny as it sounds, be yourself. No one can ever take that away from you.

Live your life as authentically as you want while working hard towards what you want – and remember to smile everyday!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thrivemv.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivemahoningvalley/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveMahoningValley
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrivemv