Empowering Moments News

Dear Community Partners and Friends, 

As 2020 comes to an end, we reflect upon the true spirit of the holiday season. Empowerment Resources, Inc. (ERI) is thankful for all of the hard work and dedication of our board of directors, advisory council, volunteers, and donors. Together, we are helping families cultivate strength to become productive members of the community. We really appreciate the way everyone worked together to help create the safest possible environment. Additionally, we are thankful to the families and youth who continued to participate in our programming this year. Although this year has looked a lot different than normal, there is still so much to be thankful for this year.

Check out these exciting highlights from this year: 

• The Journey Into Womanhood program celebrated 16 years during the 2020 JIW Virtual Awards Celebration which has awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships to 42 graduates to date. Click to read more about our alumna. You can also check out the 16th annual JIW Celebration program booklet here.

• Made the best of going virtual and expanded our JIW program to girls all around the world! As of August 2020, JIW now offers a hybrid model that includes virtual meetings and optional bi-monthly mentor outings while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. To apply, please click here.

• Currently serving more than 50 parents/caregivers with parenting education from our Parenting Education Seminars, as well as parenting tips via social media. We also offered our first-ever virtual parenting workshop. 

• More than 125 students learned core life skills such as decision making, self-esteem building and effective communication from our Life Skills Workshops.

• Over the summer, ERI offered all three programs virtually with a three-part series that catered to each member of the family. Click here to check out a replay of these sessions on our YouTube page. 

• We celebrated the 5th Annual Curls and Convo event! More than 75 guests joined Mygani and ERI for a MAGICAL experience in instilling confidence in our girls, regardless of their hair texture or skin complexion.

• Our dedicated volunteers have donated more than 1,000 hours of service to empower children and families annually including our  2020-2021 board and advisory council.

• Continued honoring our beloved Jacuelyn Rae Lowe, who had a true gift of giving back for ten years for ERI. Find out more about The Jacquelyn Rae Lowe JIW Scholarship Award.

• Education and empowerment around the Black Lives Matter movement for families. Read our powerful, and moving blog post including a great amount of racial injustice parenting tips. 

• Financial support to help build organizational capacities and our programs. Many of which included, The Rice Family Foundation, The Remmer Family Foundation, TIAA Bank, Fidelity Investments, The Main Street America Group, Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, United Way, The City of Jacksonville/Kids Hope Alliance, The Delores Barr Weaver Fund and The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.

Be sure to check out the 16th annual JIW Celebration program booklet linked above to see more of our donors and supporters. 

These are just a few examples of the impact ERI made to empower youth and families. We could not have done it without all of you! 

As we approach the new year, we're ready to start fresh. Here's a sneak peek of what 2021 will have in store:

• The 17th Annual Journey Into Womanhood Celebration will be in May 2021.

• We will continue building on the community impact with Life Skills Workshops and Parenting Education Seminars. ERI is currently accepting face-to-face and virtual bookings for 2021. 

• The 6th Annual Curls and Convo event will be on Feb. 13, 2021! 

• Accepting new JIW applications for the second-half (Jan. 9 to May 15, 2021) Journey Into Womanhood program. Girls in grades 4 through 10 are encouraged to join us. 

• Accepting applications for volunteers which include board members, fundraising, events, and general volunteers. Give back in 2021 by joining us!

As always, thank you for being a part of ERI's mission and best wishes for a safe and joyful holiday season!