Take Action Thursdays Back to School CAMP QUEST Summer Baskets Ignite Thanksgiving Holiday Drive
Annual Fundraisers E4L Gala
Teaching homeless kids to get happy and healthy
 

Who We Are

We are a community. The impact that Empower4Life has made over the years is the result of passionate community members who donate time and resources to make a difference in the lives of homeless children. We are a group of people who believe that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves love, hope, and opportunity.

 

Here at Empower4Life, we are dedicated to helping every child we meet grow strong. We know that in doing so, we make our communities, even our world, better places.

 
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"I can say, my passion for kids and your organization helped me realize I wanted to do something more than working in a cubicle doing insurances and finance. Also, for other reasons as well, I decided to quit my job and work in the schools as a substitute teacher. Doing so, I’ve realized how much our kids today need yoga and mindfulness! I decided to become a kids yoga and mindfulness instructor."

— Jennifer Jimenez, Volunteer

 

Our Story

Empower4Life was founded in 2015 after our founder, Jennifer Barrett Cox, a teacher, began volunteering to work with homeless children at the Eastside Family Emergency Shelter in Rosedale, Maryland. Her time at this transitional shelter opened her eyes to the tremendous disadvantages faced by children coming from turbulent situations including homelessness.

Jen saw children with behavioral and emotional problems acting out, children not getting nourishing and healthy foods, children who were confined to cramped spaces for long hours, and children with hollow, empty eyes, full of fear and void of hope. Jen knew that for these kids to have a chance at a happy and healthy life, they needed nourishment for body, mind and spirit and in May 2015, Empower4Life was born.

 
 
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Our Programs

The three pillars of our Empower4Life program can empower a homeless child to build a self-sufficient future by providing them with basic resources and knowledge.

 

Health for hope

EMPOWER children to make good choices in life by giving them the tools needed to build and maintain their mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health throughout their lives by offering them access wellness lessons. 

resources for rejuvenation

EMPOWER children with basic necessities. With the help of our generous community, we are able to distribute food, bedding, clothes, personal care products, school supplies and more to these at-risk children. Here is a list of items we need.

fitness for a future

EMPOWER children in shelters to learn that physical fitness can be a fun, lifelong habit by offering participation in a variety of interactive games, exercises and movement activities led by fitness professionals.  

We hold several annual fundraising events each year to help financially support our programming. Learn more about them and how you can get involved here.

 
 
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“I believe that kids living in poverty have a great disadvantage when it comes to accessing their education. I believe in leveling the playing field for all. I hope we achieve empowerment of young people experiencing homelessness so that they know, …

“I believe that kids living in poverty have a great disadvantage when it comes to accessing their education. I believe in leveling the playing field for all. I hope we achieve empowerment of young people experiencing homelessness so that they know, understand, and believe that they can indeed pave their own path in life!”

Jennifer Cox - Founder

Jen founded Empower4Life in May of 2015 and serves as our President. She is a pupil personnel worker with Baltimore County Schools and works to reduce dropout rates & increase student achievement by removing educational barriers. Read more about Jen.

“Children need a good base to start with and the opportunity that E4L has to reach them in a positive role helps them to thrive where they are. Each person who donates, volunteers, teaches, purchases items or even mentions E4L, gives that much more …

“Children need a good base to start with and the opportunity that E4L has to reach them in a positive role helps them to thrive where they are. Each person who donates, volunteers, teaches, purchases items or even mentions E4L, gives that much more empowerment to these children in need.”

Connie Carnes - Office manager, compliance officer, board member

Connie found that her office skills could help the needs of the organization so that E4L can provide as much empowerment to the children in need as possible, and she has been helping E4L since 2016.

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Jeff Alleman - BOARD MEMBER

Jeff joined our board in 2020 and participates in a variety of programs for Empower4Life, the most impactful being his role as Gala Chair for our 2021 'Little Kids, Big Dreams' Gala.

“My favorite part of what we do is our ability to see the direct impact that we have on homeless youth whether it is through programs, donations, or events! It is my hope that E4L continues to grow so that we can provide more opportunities for homel…

“My favorite part of what we do is our ability to see the direct impact that we have on homeless youth whether it is through programs, donations, or events! It is my hope that E4L continues to grow so that we can provide more opportunities for homeless youth to participate in healthy activities outside of the shelters.”

Jaqueline Hardwick - BOARD MEMBER & Instructional LEad

Jackie is an integral part of Empower, having been with the organization since 2015. She is an enthusiastic board member and a fantastic program lead at the Hannah More shelter. 

“We are at a point where our services are highly sought after. We are also seeing a great deal of interest in volunteer support to help our cause. This is the perfect combination to allow E4L to expand its footprint and help more children.”

“We are at a point where our services are highly sought after. We are also seeing a great deal of interest in volunteer support to help our cause. This is the perfect combination to allow E4L to expand its footprint and help more children.”

Zach Greaver - BOARD MEMBER

Zach is a valuable asset to our team. He serves as a board member, camp volunteer, and Head of Corporate Sponsorships for our annual gala.

“I enjoy being part of E4L. The hard work that I see from Jen, the board, and volunteers is phenomenal.”

“I enjoy being part of E4L. The hard work that I see from Jen, the board, and volunteers is phenomenal.”

Kathy Klausmeier - Board Member

Kathy is a Maryland State Senator and serves as a contributing member of E4L’s board.

“My passion for why I do what I do with E4L was ignited when I was an instructor. Seeing how a simple, 1 hour session with the kids immediately created positivity in their hearts and smiles on their faces made me absolutely love E4L. Knowing that those kinds of interactions (+ a million other more) are the outcomes of the marketing I do for E4L is the absolute best feeling and why I do what I do with E4L. I'm so incredibly thankful to be involved and hope to continue to expand my impact as the years go on somehow!”

Meredith Kilgore - Marketing Director

Meredith started as a POUNDfit instructor in our shelters and now helps raise awareness and encourage support for E4L’s cause through marketing even after moving out of state. She was our 2022 recipient of the Bob McClelland award. 

“What I love about Empower is the pure goodness and selflessness that the community shows everytime they rally around the children and families that we support. I love seeing people show up in such large ways, for such a great cause.”

Ashley Fallon - Educational Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Project Manager

Along with serving as an instructional lead, Ashley coordinates Empower’s larger projects during the year (Back to School Project & the Holiday Project), as well as educational programming. Outside of Empower, Ashley is a teacher for BCPS.

“I love that Empower4Life really focuses on helping children and ensuring they have the right resources to succeed and live happy and healthy lives.”

Melissa Mattern - Product Partnership Coordinator

Melissa coordinates Empower’s weekly produce delivery from a community partner to one of our partner shelters, ensuring that they have access to fresh produce all week.

“I grew up in less than ideal circumstances, where poverty was the norm. What I’ll always remember about my childhood are the amazing adults who stepped up and helped me make a better life for myself. Empower is an organization dedicated to providing this kind of help to children who need it the most, and it is a privilege to be even a small part of that work. I love knowing that the work I’m able to do with Empower makes an impact: the kind of impact that can spread kindness and opportunities in ways that truly have a lasting impact.”

Amanda Shields - Take Action Thursday Coordinator

Amanda serves as the project manager for Empower’s Take Action Thursdays (TAT) initiative, which launched in February 2022.

“I love the work that Empower4Life does to help these kids. My goal is to use my skill set to help make everyone more efficient, so that we can maximize the time and money spent directly on the kids, and not waste it on something that can be automated with software.”

Brice Dobry - Director of Technology

Brice runs all technology aspects of Empower. He coordinates volunteer signup forms, donation pages, auction sites, and ticket sales for all events throughout the year. He was also the 2021 recipient of the Bob McClelland award. 

Allison Hardwick - Instructional Lead

Allison is one of the lead instructors at the Hannah More shelter. Allison has been supporting Empower for over 8 years.

“What stands out to me the most is how genuinely grateful the children and their parents are at the end of each session, so to see how much of a positive impact a one hour session has on them and knowing we were a bright spot in their day is so rewarding.”

Lauren BRown - Instructional LEad

Lauren is the lead instructor at the Eastside Shelter. Outside of Empower, Lauren is the AVID coordinator at Overlea High School, where she’s been teaching since 2014.

“My favorite parts of E4L: 1. Watching the excitement the kids have at each program, and 2. Working with great like-minded people who want the best for the next generation!”

Laura Massaro -Instructional Lead

Laura is the lead instructor at Anna’s House. Outside of Empower, she is a clinical social worker working as a therapist/outreach director at a local private practice.

“Empower4Life truly brings the community together to make a big impact on the lives of vulnerable children.  I love that there are opportunities for people of all ages and talents to support the important work that E4L does.  My involvement with Empower4Life allows me to combine my passions for social justice and education, and I am inspired daily by both the children that we serve and the community that supports them.”

Megan BArrett - Ignite Program Director

Megan is E4L’s Ignite Program Director, Annual Golf Tournament Register, and alongside her husband, Matt, coordinates the Thanksgiving Meal Project. Outside of E4L, she is a busy mom, preschool Teacher’s Assistant, and the PTA Outreach Coordinator.  

 

Casey stockton - in-kind donations coordinator

Casey is the driving power behind our donations from receiving goods for our thrift shop to generating funds using FUNDrives. She has been vicariously helping since 2016.

I was drawn to support Empower as I have always believed in supporting organizations who are involved with our youth, reasoning that if we can get young people off to a good start in life, future problems can be avoided.

Chuck Ferraro - Board Member

Chuck has been involved with Empower for years. He has participated in the golf tournament and the Little Kids, Big Dreams Gala. Outside of Empower, Chuck has served in corporate leadership positions for the past 30 years and is now retired.

Lauren's favorite thing about Empower 4 Life is the Holiday Drive, and participating in the gift wrapping.

Lauren Yankolonis - Board Member

Lauren has supported Empower4Life since 2015, donating to holiday and back-to-school drives. She also served on the Gala committee, assisting with the Fund the Mission event. Currently, Lauren is the VP of Development & Marketing at The League.

Denise Maskell - Board Member

[Bio Coming Soon]

Ray Maskell - Board Member

[Bio Coming Soon]

 
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Bob McClelland (1955 - 2018) - Founding Board Member

Robert (Bob) McClelland faithfully served his community for more than 35 years as a Community Supervisor for Baltimore County Recreation and Parks. After his retirement, Bob continued to serve as a volunteer on a variety of councils and non-profits. He was most proud of serving as one of the founding board members for Empower4life alongside his dear friend, Jen Barrett Cox, who he loved like one of his own children. Our team honors Bob and his immeasurable contributions with the Bob Award, established in 2019 and presented to a deserving volunteer who demonstrates dedication, joy, and compassion.