Introducing Avery McCutcheon, Our New Executive Director

Avery McCutcheon, Executive Director - Thrive Medical Clinic

Rhonda Wrede, our Executive Director of 32 years, officially retired right before Christmas, and as we transition into this new season, we are so thrilled to announce that Thrive Medical Clinic's new Executive Director is our very own Avery McCutcheon! Avery, a Registered Nurse who previously worked in the ER and NICU, joined TMC in July as our Thrive Forward Director. She quickly gained our trust and admiration for her incredible leadership skills, humble wisdom, strategic thoughtfulness and her ability to engage the whole team to achieve more together. She has an acute focus on our mission to reach, love and serve abortion-vulnerable women in our community and empower them to thrive in a life-affirming pregnancy choice.

We conducted a nationwide search for our new Executive Director, but after a few months God made it clear to Rhonda (and then to the entire board and staff) that the person He had chosen and prepared for this role was right under our nose. Rhonda has trained Avery on the new role, and she will be available to Avery for consults throughout the year.

Get to Know Avery & Her heart for the ministry!

We love Avery and have full confidence in her ability to follow God's will and lead us into this new chapter of His ministry.

We need your continued partnership, support, and encouragement to be able to steward this ministry and be vessels for the Holy Spirit to save and transform lives. Email Avery at Avery@ThriveMedicalClinic.org to introduce yourself and schedule a tour of TMC. She would love to meet you!

And finally, we want to say thank you to Rhonda. She has devoted her heart and life to leading this ministry for over three decades. Through countless hardships, she has faithfully fought the good fight and has been a champion for God’s transforming love and saving grace for countless women, men and children throughout our region. Her profound impact is generational and eternal. Each of us on staff have been changed by her love for us and her courageous servant leadership. We love her dearly and wish her every joy in retirement.

And to all of our amazing supporters, thank you for your faithful partnership and prayers. You mean more to us and our patients than you'll ever know.

-Thrive Medical Clinic Team

To My Child Who Almost Wasn't

A poem inspired by our patients and written by Annie Solem.

To My Child Who Almost Wasn't:

The reality of your precious life stole my breath and heart with one

glance at that black and white screen.

Your tiny frame suddenly held so much weight.

An unexpected epiphany, like the sun breaking through dense clouds.

Until then, I couldn’t let myself love you.

I thought my only choice was to let you go before fully grasping the

truth of what I was holding.

The crashing waves of worry and shame drowned out the tiny voice

deep within. But when I saw you, it all became so quiet - so clear.

That day, you became real to me, and I knew I had to protect you.

That day, a “problem” became a blessing; my fear became my joy.

That day, your little heart - pitter pattering away - captured my heart.

You’ve been opening my eyes since that first day I saw you.

I doubted my strength until I carried you.

I have seen my own value in the reflection of your eyes.

You have filled deep caverns of my heart I never knew existed.

If you’d like to make a donation to help give more abortion-vulnerable women the opportunity to see and connect with their child on an ultrasound at Thrive, click the button below.

Summer - Fall Newsletter, 2023

The 2023 Summer — Fall Newsletter is here and it’s full of powerful patient stories, a letter from Rhonda about her upcoming retirement, updates on how you can help spread the word about Thrive Medical Clinic and so much more! Please click the button below to read the newsletter. And thank you to each and every one of our amazing supporters, volunteers and prayer warriors for sustaining and strengthening this ministry. Your work is changing lives and saving precious babies right here in our community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Rhonda Wrede - Executive Director

Baby Bottle Boomerang 2023

Baby Bottle Boomerang (BBB) is a community-wide fundraiser that is changing the world! Every penny raised goes to help Thrive Medical Clinic equip abortion-vulnerable women and men with the solutions, resources, and support they need to choose life for their unborn baby, and abundant life for themselves!

This year’s event begins September 10, and runs through October 8th.

We’re so happy you’re here, because YOU can make a difference. With so many women and men facing unplanned pregnancies and feeling that abortion is their only option, we need your help more than ever!

Your donation will save the lives of precious unborn babies, and provide the love, support, and solutions that their mothers and fathers desperately need. Make a donation of any amount to “fill your bottle” today, and change someone’s world!

Nora's Story

When Nora* got a positive pregnancy test, her first reaction was that she needed an abortion. Carrying a pregnancy to term and raising a child were both overwhelming things for her to think about, and the concept of being a mom at this time in her life just didn’t seem realistic. The only people she had spoken to about the pregnancy so far were abortion providers, and it seemed like getting an abortion was the clear thing to do. But after telling her partner about the pregnancy, she felt unsure.

Nora heard about Thrive Medical Clinic through a friend and decided to schedule an appointment with us to confirm her pregnancy. While at her appointment, she bravely and honestly talked about how confused and torn she felt about what to do. She openly acknowledged how difficult any pregnancy decision she came to would be, but also how pleasantly surprised she was by seeing the support from those around her.

When it came time for her ultrasound scan to be done, Nora was able to see her beautiful child for herself - with its little head, body, legs, and arms. The baby’s heart could be clearly seen, strongly beating away; and, gradually, Nora started to become more excited about being this child’s mom. After the ultrasound, she expressed how things seemed much more real and asked good questions about her options and the types of support available.

Seeing the process of her mind cautiously go from shocked confusion to genuine excitement about parenting was absolutely incredible. Without anyone pressuring her, God simply worked to shift Nora’s perspective in a beautiful way as she took the time to process and learn more. It was such a joyful day when she shared that she made the decision to parent this child!

We’re grateful for each of you who prays and supports our patients in so many ways. These women, men, and babies are being given the chance, hope, resources, and support to choose life in a safe and loving place - and that is absolutely priceless.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality.

If you were touched by this story and want to help provide the solutions, resources and support for women like Nora to choose life for their precious babies, we invite you to make a donation. Thank you so much!

Katelyn's Story

Katelyn* came to Traverse City with her child and no support or family in the area. After she became pregnant again, she made several abortion appointments, but each time something kept her from going through with it.

She finally made the decision to keep her baby, but was feeling entirely overwhelmed. She came to Thrive Forward in her last trimester because she heard that we offer free baby supplies. We were delighted to meet her and gave her maternity clothes, a postpartum and newborn gift bag, and we just so happened to have one unclaimed dresser fully stocked with baby items that we gave her that same day.

Before she came in, she knew she was meant to have this baby, but the thought of it seemed so daunting and hard to grasp. But the tangible love and support she received that day made all the difference; she felt hopeful and had confidence in her ability to thrive as a mom of two.

TMC supported Katelyn throughout the rest of her pregnancy and she continues to participate in regular mentorship sessions with one of our Thrive Forward mentors. Katelyn received a Bible with her dresser, and her mentor has been able to share comforting Bible verses with her. She has also been very receptive to discussions around God’s power during times of uncertainty and fear, and His incredible love for her.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality.

If you were touched by this story and want to help provide the solutions, resources and support for women like Katelyn to choose life for their precious babies, we invite you to make a donation. Thank you so much!

One Year as Thrive Medical Clinic

There are so many women and men in our community who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and truly believe abortion is their only choice.

But when they see their baby’s beating heart during the ultrasound and learn that there is a loving community empowering them with solutions, resources and support, they realize they do have a choice, and many courageously choose life!

When we look back over our first year as Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC), we are in awe of what God has done through you. There are children alive and loved today, because of the love and care their mothers and fathers have received through you and your support.

God has blessed and grown this ministry in abundant ways this past year. We have some big updates to share with you! 

• We bought our building! In 2022, God opened the doors for us to buy our building and provided the funds through all of you! Your gifts have enabled us to double our space, and to repair and remodel our building with excellence. Thank you for investing in a building that will be serving our community and saving lives for years to come!

• Increased staff, operating hours, and resources: To reach women and men considering abortion at their immediate time of need, we have increased our hours, added to our staff, and will soon be implementing online scheduling! Thanks to your support, scheduling an appointment at Thrive Medical Clinic is now easier and more accessible than ever before. This increased accessibility is truly saving lives! 

• Abortion Pill Reversal: Thrive Medical Clinic is the only pregnancy center north of Grand Rapids that is able to offer this life saving protocol! Women are being pressured to make abortion decisions completely alone and incredibly fast and many come to regret their decision immediately upon taking the first abortion pill. With Abortion Pill Reversal, they can choose again and give their baby a chance to live, and these mothers and fathers can live without the pain and regret of abortion. You made this possible!

• Launched Thrive Forward: In order for people to thrive through an unplanned pregnancy, they need to know they won’t be alone. We want to prove to them that there is a whole community waiting to surround them in support for as long as they need - from essential baby and maternity supplies, to coaching and mentorship for both mothers and fathers, and connections to other vital local resources. Thrive Forward also hosts group events to create connection for parents who otherwise feel starved for community. Thrive Forward’s ongoing set of resources creates opportunities for repeated experiences of Jesus’ love through interactions with our staff, and also creates an environment where these moms can grow in friendships with each other. 

• Launched Thrive Shop: Thrive Shop was created as a tool for awareness and connection. When you wear Thrive shop items, you not only spread awareness for Thrive Medical Clinic, but it also builds trust with potential patients (many of whom are your friends, coworkers, acquaintances, etc), because they can associate Thrive with someone they know, like, and trust vs an organization that’s unfamiliar. This has been more impactful than we could have prayed for.

THANK YOU!! 

This is all God’s provision through you - every hour volunteered, every dollar and item donated, every prayer, every single one of you are making a life-altering impact! Your individual part may seem small to you, but please believe us when we say that it matters and we couldn’t do this without you!

Because of you, Thrive can reach more people with the love and hope of Jesus, and see more people choose life for their baby. 

Winter - Spring Newsletter, 2023

With your faithful support, Thrive Medical Clinic has been able to impact the lives of many people facing unplanned pregnancies in our community with our medical services. But Medical appointments can only touch the surface of our patients' needs. An overwhelming need we’ve seen is the desire for connection. It’s our vision that these courageous men and women who choose life wouldn’t just survive, but thrive and move forward to a more abundant life.

Out of this heart, Thrive Forward was launched just four months ago, and we’ve already seen God work in amazing ways in the lives of our patients through this new program.

Learn more about TMC’s new Thrive Forward Program in this 2023 Winter-Spring Newsletter! There’s lots of exciting news around here - from the Spring Gala to the launch of Thrive Shop, Baby Bottle Boomerang and a beautiful and inspiring new patient story we can’t wait for you to read!

Ava's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

*Ava reached out to us after getting multiple positive pregnancy tests at home. She called saying, “I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but now I’m not sure.” We were able to schedule her for a free consultation and confirmation ultrasound to verify her pregnancy, and when she came in, she opened up more about what she was going through.

She and her boyfriend had broken up just before Ava found out she was pregnant. When Ava got the positive pregnancy tests, she told her ex-boyfriend along with some family members. She said that she didn’t initially know what to do, but then began to experience pressure from multiple people around her trying to persuade her that abortion would be her best option. So, Ava scheduled an appointment to get a medication abortion.

Ava came in to TMC for her ultrasound appointment just two days before her abortion was scheduled to happen. During her options consult, she cried as she expressed her fears about being a single mom but also her conflict in not wanting to abort her child. She talked about someone God had put in her life who was encouraging her that she was capable of carrying this pregnancy to term and felt that she might somehow receive the support she needed.

After discussing her pregnancy options, Ava went in for her ultrasound. She measured just over 8wks along, and her beautiful baby could be seen clearly...heart beating away. Seeing the scan, Ava let herself laugh with joy a little as she watched the scan and expressed that she actually was beginning to feel excited!

She said, “Seeing the baby, I’ve made up my mind to parent. I wish that I came here weeks ago when I first found out I was pregnant. That was super lonely to go through, and coming here was the encouragement I needed.”

Ava canceled her abortion appointment, and we were able to help her get set up with some helpful community resources. She also gratefully accepted our offer to gift her a dresser filled with essential baby supplies.

When the time came for Ava to receive the dresser, she let us know that she is having a boy! Once Ava came to pick up her dresser, she started crying as soon as she saw it. She expressed how thankful she was and that it was so much more than she expected. She shared that, since making the decision to parent her son, things have gotten much better, and she is genuinely feeling the support of those around her.

Ava’s story and her courage and determination to be a good mom to her son blows me away! Seeing the way that God looked out for her and is now working on her behalf through amazing individuals in this community is such a beautiful reminder of the loving, miraculous, and personal God that He is. It also makes me overwhelmed with thankfulness to everyone who has given, prayed, and volunteered for TMC so that Ava and her son were both given this chance at life.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Shop for Good

Spread awareness for Thrive Medical Clinic!

It’s powerful to think of all the spaces you can take the message of Thrive into. You never know who’ll be in your path - your simple decision to wear a Thrive shirt one day could be the reason someone facing an unplanned pregnancy reaches out for help. Or you could be the reason someone decides to put their beliefs into action and get involved as a volunteer, donor, or prayer partner!

Each item in our little shop has been chosen with care, ensuring the quality is impeccable, and each sweatshirt so cozy you won’t want to take it offff! We have sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, and mugs - a color, style, and texture for everyone. The proceeds from each purchase help to cover the cost of running a medical clinic so that every single service is provided for free for our patients. That’s a lot of good accomplished in one purchase!

Shop In-Person or Online

If you want to try things on before making a purchase, or if online shopping isn’t your preference, you’re welcome to come in during our open hours and pick something out! We’re located at 121 South Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686.

You can also shop online and have it shipped right to your door, or select local pickup at checkout to save on shipping, and pick it up from Thrive.

Baby Bottle Boomerang, 2022

We’ve wrapped up another amazing Baby Bottle Boomerang (BBB) Fundraiser and have been blown away by the way the Lord works to save the lives of His little ones through your generosity. This year, over $58,000 was raised - thank you! You are truly the ones who have not “grown weary in doing good” and it is making an impact in so many lives both now and for eternity.

Thank you so much to all of our 2022 participants:

Thrive Forward

With your faithful support, Thrive Medical Clinic has been able to impact the lives of many people facing unplanned pregnancies in our community with our medical services. But Medical appointments can only touch the surface of our patients' needs. An overwhelming need we’ve seen is the desire for connection. It’s our vision that these courageous men and women who choose life wouldn’t just survive, but thrive and move forward to a more abundant life. Out of this heart, Thrive Forward was launched just four months ago. Our hope is that everyone who comes to Thrive Forward will feel the empowerment to thrive through a community of support and access to knowledge that is life-changing.

Think of it as a series of bridges. Thrive Medical is the first step that provides immediate medical care. Then patients are connected with a staff member who tells them about continued mentorship/ coaching, practical support, and opportunities for growth offered by Thrive Forward.

Once patients cross the bridge to Thrive Forward, they have a personal connection, a friend for the journey. Their mentor/coach helps them create many bridges to other supports within the community.

Simply put, Thrive Medical is for that moment of decision. Thrive Forward is for everything after.

When hearing there is someone ready and willing to hear their story and process life with them on a regular basis, many people have responded, “I need that!” Patients have come into Thrive Forward with tough and overwhelming life situations and consistently leave looking physically lighter, so thankful, and full of hope. They leave saying things like, “I don’t know what I would do if you guys weren’t here!”

It’s working—He is working! It has been such a privilege to join in the work God is already doing in these patients’ lives; and it is humbling to think that He is providing for them through Thrive Forward. He created this place for them “for such a time as this”, because they matter and their story matters.

Thank you for the service and prayers you have poured into making Thrive Forward a reality. You matter! And what you care about matters and what you pray for matters; your passion and your generosity— it matters!

Thrive Forward exists to continue relationships with patients.

Here’s how:

Thrive Essentials

One of the ways we come alongside the courageous women and men who choose life for their unborn child is by ensuring that they have what they need to care for their child as they navigate parenthood. Thrive Essentials provides brand new maternity and baby items, such as clothing, diapers, formula, hygiene products, period supplies, etc. This program is completely donor funded, and each beautiful item comes from individuals just like you!

Mentorship for Women

Sometimes women want someone to celebrate with and other times they want someone who will just listen. Being able to talk through life is incredibly healthy. We offer professional one-on-one mentorship for women seeking a non-judgmental and calming space. Mentors offer a listening ear, encouragement, and connections to help create a bridge with other helpful resources within the community.

Coaching for Men

We’re here to provide men with the individualized support and encouragement they need to navigate the pressure and stress of life. One-on-one, 60-minute coaching sessions take place regularly and are personalized to specific goals, questions, and needs. Trained coaches will discuss various topics such as parenting/co-parenting, healthy relationships, finance, and career exploration.

Summer - Fall Newsletter, 2022

By Rhonda Wrede, Executive Director

With the introduction of self-managed abortion and a 7% increase in overall abortion rates since 2017*, the challenges facing abortion-vulnerable women and men are at an all-time high. The needs of our patients are great and the time to offer life-saving resources and support is now!

The vision of Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC) is to give every woman and man considering abortion the opportunity to confirm their pregnancy through an ultrasound (allowing them to see their child for themselves), to receive information about their pregnancy options from a source that doesn’t profit from or push abortion, and to learn about the realistic solutions, practical resources, and loving support that would empower them to parent their child or make an adoption plan.

It’s our dream that these precious women, men, and children can thrive, not just survive.

But one person cannot carry out this mission alone. It takes all of us working together. As you read the stories contained in this newsletter, you will see how donors, volunteers, board members, staff and, of course, the Holy Spirit are all essential.

The only way for our patients to thrive is for all of us to do our part. Here is a heartwarming quote from a recent TMC patient review that confirms this truth: “[The staff] was so helpful and gave me so much peace. I am so, so glad I came here. I feel like I have the information and resources I need to make the best decision for me.”

We are truly thriving together! Thank you in advance for your continued support of Thrive Medical Clinic. You are loved and appreciated!

*source Guttmacher Institute June 2022

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Virtual Event Recap

A reason to celebrate

We want to take the time to celebrate YOU, our supporters. Your sacrificial gifts provide a safe place and life-saving services to women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy to make pregnancy decisions with courage and confidence instead of fear and desperation.

During this event, we provided crucial information concerning the latest risks to abortion-vulnerable women such as “self-managed abortion” and how Thrive Medical Clinic is prepared to reach as many of these at-risk women as possible.

Because of your help and intervention, Thrive Medical Clinic will be providing additional ultrasound appointments, online scheduling, mobile intake, Abortion Pill Reversal and virtual consultations for our patients.

By removing barriers and providing additional services, more women and men will have the opportunity to connect with Thrive and be provided with life-saving services.

We want to give a special shout out to Christian Family Financial, Absolute Building Solutions, Jade Rentals and other anonymous matching donors! Altogether, over $85,000 was raised!! We are blown away by your generosity!

I wish you could see the many faces that come through our doors. Many enter visibly weighed down and burdened by the many decisions swirling around in their head. After their appointment, many have a different posture and look like a weight has truly been lifted.

You are DIRECTLY impacting women and men when you give to TMC by paying for their appointment, creating a welcoming environment through renovations, keeping the lights on, and so much more!

So, be encouraged, your dollars are making a direct impact. We could not continue this forward movement without you - so from the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU!

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If you haven’t had the chance to watch the event, don’t worry just hit replay below.

Brooke's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

After getting a positive pregnancy test, *Brooke made an appointment for an abortion. She felt conflicted about what she should do regarding her unplanned pregnancy and wanted to talk things through, but she also faced serious pressure from individuals encouraging her to go through with her abortion.

After making the abortion appointment, she chose to come to TMC to get a confirmation ultrasound, ask questions, and verbally process in a safe and private setting. Brooke openly expressed the conflict she felt inside and said, “Honestly, I want to keep my baby; but I know it would be hard. I think I’d regret getting an abortion, though.”

When Brooke saw her baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound machine, she said she felt “protective” of the life inside of her and said, “I know I need to do what’s best for me and my child.” She courageously canceled her abortion appointment and, for the first time, allowed herself to feel excited about being a mom!

She is now being surrounded by beautiful support and practical help that she didn’t even know existed originally.

Brooke has repeatedly expressed so much appreciation for this ministry and the support she is receiving from so many in the community... “If it wasn’t for this place, getting to talk to someone, and seeing the ultrasound, I’m convinced that I would’ve been coerced into having the abortion.”

Praise God for what He is doing through both of these lives! And thank you for providing this brave mom and her little one with the chance they needed to thrive and know how incredibly valuable they both are.

“I am so, so glad I came here. I feel like I have the information and resources I need to make the best decision for me.” - Brooke

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality