Building a Foundation for People to Live Their Best Lives
The Niagara Children’s Foundation recently was renamed the Empower Foundation, and is undergoing a repurposing effort to align Foundation and Empower initiatives and to expand its Board of Directors number and function.
In 2000, a $400,000.00 bequest from the estate of Rose A. Franier established the Niagara Children’s Foundation to underwrite continuing education for staff, which ultimately benefits people supported by Empower. Examples of staff development paid for by the foundation include professional certification fees, Leadership Niagara tuition for two staff and disability education seminars and conference fees.
While this focus continues to be a part of the agency’s strategic vision, there is a need to expand the funding scope to include all Empower initiatives; the Empower Foundation’s renaming is the first step in attaining this alignment.
As part of the repurposing effort, a value proposition statement was developed to be used in Board member and donor recruitment. It identifies how Empower helps people live their best lives and facilitates their contributions to the community with support from a trusted and efficient agency. The Empower Foundation will recruit an additional 5-7 members to serve who can commit time and resources to enhance the organization’s capacity to help people live their best lives.
If you or someone you know would like to serve on the Empower Foundation Board of Directors, please contact Elizabeth at (716) 297-0798, x173 or ecardamone@empower-wny.org.
The Empower Foundation is set to unveil its new identity and recruiting materials in September. Stay tuned!
Artpark’s Odyssey Includes People Supported By Empower
Artpark’s August production of the Odyssey was truly a community event, bringing together on stage people of all ages and abilities. Eleven people supported by Empower received theater instruction throughout the spring and did a wonderful job performing during two productions on August 4 and 5. More and more, Empower is being approached by different partners about including the people it supports in various activities, which is crucial in them being fully involved in their communities.
Lewiston Porter High School Student, Charles Dieteman, Raises Money For Empower
Each year, Lewiston Porter high school student Charles Dieteman raises awareness and funds for cerebral palsy through school and community events held throughout the school year. In June, Charles presented Empower Chief Executive Officer Jeff Paterson with a check for $1,200. Thank you, Charles, for your advocacy.
What Does It Mean to Be Accredited?
For current and prospective service recipients and their families, knowing Empower earned Council on Quality and Leadership accreditation (read more about Empower’s road to accreditation here) means they will receive excellent care that is person-centered. In turn, they will be supported in achieving excellence in their own lives. It’s an extra layer of assurance that Empower always puts the people it supports first.
Person Centered Services (PCS) Care Coordination Organization Contact Information
PCS is a Health Home/Care Coordination Organization for individuals and families currently receiving Medicaid Service Coordination or Plan of Care Support Services. Empower is one of 35 member agencies of PCS, and all of its former MSC clients have transitioned to PCS or another care coordination organization that best matches their needs. In case of questions, PCS can be reached at 888-977-7030.