2019 Annual Appeal Results
Thank you to everyone who generously gave to our annual appeal. So far, $5,500 has been raised, which is 10% away from our goal. If you have not yet contributed, please consider giving so that we can reach our appeal goal and direct the money to supports that help people to live the lives they choose. Every dollar raised really does make a difference so please give today!
Visit Empower’s Grab ‘N Go Cart at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA
Thanks to a Verizon Media Community Benefit Fund for Niagara County grant, Empower purchased a mobile coffee cart and supplies which will become a new community-based job training program. Workers will be learning marketable job skills including customer service and money management while serving coffee and snacks to the public. The cart temporarily will be located in the new section of the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA before moving to a more permanent location that is still being determined. Stay tuned for announcements when this service is up and running! We will be happy to meet you and serve you your favorite snack!
This effort is a wonderful example of Empower fulfilling its mission through collaborations with a business, a private foundation and government. It began as a dream of one person we support named Anthony who wants to open a coffee shop and employ others who like him have a disability. Realizing that dreams take steps, Empower obtained a grant to send Anthony to Leadership Niagara to learn business and leadership practices. Empower also obtained the Verizon grant to get the coffee cart and give Anthony and others who want to pursue food service careers direct experience. The coffee cart program will be a Community Prevocational Program developed by New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to provide job training to people with disabilities. Funds from OPWDD will pay the wages of a supervisor and the workers who have a disability.
11th Annual Basket Auction, March 27-28, Volare Lodge, 56th & Kies, Niagara Falls
Please join us for this fun-filled, family-friendly event with free admission, lots of chances to win great prizes, and delicious food. Proceeds benefit Empower services and supports that help people to live the lives they choose.
If you wish to donate something, please contact Cheryl at 297-0798, x134 or cseelbinder@empower-wny.org. Baskets, bottles of premium liquor and toy donations are all welcome and greatly appreciated.