Dear Champions, Friends, and Partners,

As we reflect on this remarkable year of programming, we are reminded of the words,

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more.”

You, our community of supporters, have made the “more” possible for youth and families across California! 

On Friday, November 15th, we celebrated a milestone that words cannot fully capture: the graduation of the first two cohorts of our Mental Health Community Health Workers! These graduates are the first to be deployed in the fulfillment of our mission to build a resilient workforce, particularly in the Inland Empire. 

For 12 weeks, we have poured into the lives of these remarkable individuals, shaping the workforce and opening pathways to meaningful, middle-skill careers across sectors including Healthcare, Government, and Community-Based Organizations. These graduates are not only trained professionals—they are stories of transformation. They have overcome some of life’s toughest barriers including reentry after incarceration, housing insecurities, high-risk pregnancy care, and addiction recovery. This graduation was not just a ceremony but a testament to their resilience, determination, and the power of what is possible when we come together to create pathways for success. 

It is our honor to extend a special thanks to our programmatic funders, philanthropic supporters, board members and volunteers. 

California Workforce Development Board: Your belief in our vision to train and deploy a frontline army of Mental Health Community Health Workers—and your willingness to fund that vision—empowered us to fulfill our mission of building resilience and bringing it into the workplace. CWDB, you have not just given to a program; you have invested in people, in futures, and in hope.

Jobs For The Future: Your philanthropic support greatly expanded our organizational capacity to not only train individuals but to provide them with the depth of supportive services they need, including housing, mental health supports, tech assistance, and much-needed wraparound services! Thank you for championing our work! 

Board Members and Donors: Thank you for your financial investment in our work and the continual guidance to ensure we remain aligned with our mission of building resilience. 

Murrieta Mayor & District 4 Councilwoman Lori Stone: Thank you for empowering our graduates to honor their stories and lived experiences by sharing yours! The expression of the “why” you do this work resonated so strongly and made an indelible impression on the hearts of every single person present. 

Chaplain Lisa Steward: Thank YOU for deploying our graduates! You sent them forth, into the field, with such genuine care of heart and sincerity of prayer! It was felt and needed. 

From all of us at The Empowerment Center, and from the hearts of those we serve, thank you. Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in us. And thank you for helping us change lives.

May this Thanksgiving season bring you the same abundance of hope, joy, and gratitude you have generously shared with others.

Sincerely,

Teresse Lewis LCSW | Executive Director

Tiffany Baker | Founder & President

The Empowerment Center