January 17, 2025
Founded in 2007, Mission Empower was created out of a simple but growing need: to help young people with disabilities integrate into their schools and communities and someday thrive as self-sufficient adults. Prior to their humble beginnings, while other organizations addressed aspects of support for families, none focused solely on empowering, educating, and advocating for individuals with disabilities and their families.
For parents, the journey often begins with a diagnosis and no clear direction. Navigating the complex world of disability services can be overwhelming and isolating, and the support they need isn’t always a friendly face. That’s where Mission Empower steps in. As a Community Parent Resource Center, Mission Empower provides families with the tools, education, and guidance to make informed decisions and advocate for their children.
The Erie Community Foundation has funded a variety of Mission Empower’s initiatives over the years, with the most recent being to support their transition with new leadership. They have been the recipient of several Helping Today grants that supported capacity building projects allowing the organization to continue expanding its programming through new community collaborations and funding partnerships. The Hovis Fund has also contributed to Mission Empower’ s annual Youth Summit this summer.
Programming for Every Stage of Development
Mission Empower offers programming to support families and their children at every stage of their academic journey:
Volunteer Today, Inspire Confidence Tomorrow
The goal of Mission Read, which was resurrected in 2021, is to provide a specialized curriculum to students with dyslexia or those who exhibit dyslexic tendencies. The program had existed in different capacities, but it wasn’t until 2022 when Darlene Brown was hired as Mission Read Connector that the program began to see consistent growth and momentum.
Mission Read currently serves 32 children, with a waiting list of 15 more. Volunteers play a crucial role in the program’s success—over 25 tutors have been trained in the past three years to work one-on-one with children, guiding them as they progress in their reading skills.
One inspiring story from the program comes from a 5th-grade student who, after participating in tutoring, is now reading at a 3rd-grade level and, more importantly, has developed a love for reading. Darlene said that many students who once struggled now gain confidence and begin to explore new opportunities, such as in school plays and public speaking. Activities that once seemed out of reach are now met with eagerness and excitement.
Team Growth & New Opportunities
The Mission Empower team is expanding. Darlene Brown has been promoted to Executive Director, while Jill Hrinda-Patten, the former Executive Director, will be transitioning to a new role within the organization. The team consists of 7 dedicated staff members and 3 per diem job coaches, along with countless volunteers who support various programs, work closely with students, and assist with day-to-day operations.
With this, there is an ongoing need for volunteers to help with tutoring. If you’re interested in making a difference, please contact Darlene Brown at 814.825.0788 ext. 111 or at dbrown@missionempower.org.
The Erie Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire, engage and empower donors and communities across the region, today and tomorrow. We envision a united, vibrant, and thriving region for all. The Foundation signed the Nonprofit Partnership’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Pledge in 2019 to demonstrate our commitment to our community. To learn more visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org.
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