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Empower

Our Mission

Empower is an international nonprofit on a mission to empower, support, and connect children and young adults up through age 24 who have experienced the loss of a parent.

 

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What we do

Empower hosts events that remind children they are not alone in their grief, and offers a unique one-on-one mentor program with positive role models from the community who help teach, “loss is survivable.”  All programs and activities are provided at no charge to the family.  Join the Empower community now.

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Mentorship

We provide a unique one-on-one mentor program with positive role models from the community who help show them that loss is survivable.

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Events

Our events are designed to remind us we are never alone in our grief. Empower events are non-therapeutic, community-based, and volunteer-driven.

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Stories

  • mentorship

    Gianna, Age 24

    "Kally is the big sister I never had but am so fortunate to have gained. I look up to her in so many ways. I can feel our mother’s love when we are together and that itself gives me comfort."

  • event

    Boston Mother's Day Retreat 2023

  • mentorship

    Cynthia, Empower Mentor

    "As we have gotten to know each other and shared experiences, Abby has become so much more than a mentee. She is my dear friend. An unspoken desire to bring light into the dark world of parent loss also connects us."

  • event

    NYC Mother's Day Event 2023

  • mentorship

    Katie, Empower Mentor

    "Mentorship means showing someone that you are there for them and demonstrating that surviving loss is possible. It's also about showing that you can be vulnerable, that it's okay to ask for help."

  • mentorship

    Megan, Empower Mentee

    "My mentor has shown me it is okay to talk about how I am feeling — and that there will always be people there for me."

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Featured Mentor

Ellie and Tess

Ellie (age 9) and Tess (age 30) were matched in July 2022 and although their stories are quite different, they’ve found a deeply meaningful connection.

Mentorship Feature: Ellie and Tess

Join Us For Luminaria

LUMINARIA is an illuminated display of personalized bags honoring loved ones. Purchased by donors from across the globe, each luminaria bag is uniquely displayed IN MEMORY OF or IN HONOR OF our loved one(s). Thousands of volunteers and donors come together to produce LUMINARIA events across the United States and United Kingdom.

100% of all proceeds raised fund Empower events and mentorship and help ensure all programs remain at no charge to the family.

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Founding Story

Founder Cara Belvin was nine years old when her mother Kit died of breast cancer.  Cara founded Empower (formerly empowerHER®) in 2013 out of the gratitude she had for all the layers of support her family received growing up.

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