The local group Owensboro Women Living Socially (OWLS) recently made a $15,000 donation for the Homelessness to Hope Capital Campaign to build a long-term housing facility for homeless teens in Owensboro.
Last fall, the Empowerment Academy (EA) launched an Adopt-A-Room capital campaign. It allows individuals or organizations to sponsor various rooms at the EA, which once operational will help empower students to reach their educational potential by providing safe housing with access to basic necessities and life skills training.
The Academy partners with local school districts to identify students who may not have access to a stable and safe place to live. The facility will have 18 bedrooms, six bathrooms, a teaching and learning kitchen, laundry rooms, dining area, library and study areas, plus a house parent suite when complete.
The OWLS, a group for women over 50 years old, hosted various fundraisers including BINGO, bakes sales, and selling Christmas decorations to raise the $15,000 needed to sponsor a room. More than 60 of the 3,200+ women in the social organization made cash donations ranging from $5 to $1,800.
“The ladies in this group say it all — women coming together to enjoy life after 50 to give back to our community and help the Empowerment Academy to fulfill the dreams of teenagers. The [Empowerment Academy’s] dream is our dream for a better life,” said OWLS Founder Pam Lewis.
OWLS member Barbara Wells said, “I learned of the Empowerment Academy through the OWLS group and took a tour of the facility. This home will be so beneficial to the youth of Owensboro. I was so inspired to help this worthy endeavor that I set up a donation box at my monthly Bunco event.”
OWLS administrators indicated this is just the beginning of their partnership with Empowerment Academy as members have expressed interest in mentoring residents and providing additional support for at-risk youth.
Construction is expected to be finished within 6 months of raising the remaining $400,000 needed to complete the project.
Many other organizations, individuals, churches and companies have already sponsored rooms at the Empowerment Academy. Those groups include:
Room Adoptions
Dining Room – Truist (grant) $85,000
House Parent(s) Suite – Curdsville Baptist Church – $56,389.81
$15,000 Adopt-A-Room
- Atmos Energy
- Big Rivers
- Boardwalk Pipelines
- In Memory of Joe Bowen (by his family)
- In Memory of Dr. Bill Chandler (by the Quisenberry family)
- In Memory of Damien & Mary Katherine Elder
- First Christian Church in partnership with Century Christian Church
- German American Bank
- Don Moore Automotive Team
- Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
- Wright Family
The EA also gave a special thanks to City of Owensboro and Daviess County Fiscal Court for their support.
If you or your group would like a tour, email [email protected] or contact any board member. Learn more at empowermentacademy.us.
