THRIVE Conference 2026

The Annual THRIVE Student Conference and Opportunity Fair

2026

THRIVE

ABOUT
THE EVENT

Become part of one of NJ’s largest networks of students.

The Annual THRIVE Student Conference and Opportunity Fair provides a platform for college students and young people to come together and explore opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities. The event showcases the passion and creativity of the next generation of leaders and encourages them to pursue their goals with determination and purpose.

Experience THRIVE Through Powerful Workshops

Step into rooms designed to equip, challenge, and elevate you. From leadership to creativity, each workshop is built to help you grow and take action.

Pipelines in Public Service

What happens after a service year ends? Pipelines in Public Service explores how short-term service experiences evolve into long-term careers and community impact. Featuring alumni of AmeriCorps and the Bonner Leader Program alongside a community partner, this panel offers honest insights on transitioning into public service roles, navigating challenges, and turning service into a sustainable, mission-driven career.

Tomorrow’s Trailblazers Forum

Who I Am, What I Will Do, and Why It Matters: An Identity‑Rooted Framework for Civic Leadership

The leap from campus to career is rarely a straight line - and adulthood doesn’t come with a user manual. Hear for a panel of young professionals and recent graduates who are actively building their paths in real time. This panel pulls back the curtain on the post graduate experience: the wins, the wobbles, and everything in between. From landing that first job (or third) and navigating workplace dynamics, to managing finances, mental health, and the pressure to have it all figured out by the time you graduate - these speakers keep it real and honest.

This dynamic, hands-on workshop invites participants to explore identity, purpose, and civic agency in meaningful ways. Through the I Am / I Will framework, attendees will reflect on the intersecting identities that influence how they engage with their communities, define clear, time-bound commitments aligned with their civic purpose, and connect their personal motivations to the larger effort of advancing democracy, equity, and community well-being.

Project Unlonely

This workshop focuses on connecting with others through artistic expression as a way to reduce loneliness and foster a sense of community. Participants will engage in creative activities that encourage self-expression, shared experiences, and meaningful connection, helping to build relationships and strengthen a collective sense of belonging.

Spreading Love, Hope, and Joy One Simple Wish

This workshop will feature a presentation on One Simple Wish, a national nonprofit dedicated to spreading love, hope, and joy by granting wishes to youth in foster care and individuals in crisis through the support of individual, community, and corporate donors. Participants will also learn about Love, Hope, Joy Delivered, One Simple Wish’s mobile initiative that brings positivity to events while highlighting the importance of happiness and human connection.

As part of the experience, attendees will take part in creating Loved Notes—uplifting messages that can be kept for personal encouragement, shared with someone in their lives, or returned to be distributed to others in need of kindness and support.

Safe Space v. Brave Space: Why Your Voice Matters

What’s the difference between a safe space and a brave space—and why does it matter? In this workshop, we’ll explore how each shapes the way we engage in conversations around race, gender, and technology, and what it truly means to show up with intention. Together, we’ll examine how brave spaces encourage us to speak honestly, listen actively, and embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth. Participants will leave with practical tools to build stronger connections, engage more meaningfully in their communities, and use their voice to support both personal and professional development.