empowerHER Celebrates Record Year over Year Growth; Serves More than 150 Girls in Need
2018 highlighted by burgeoning partner program, successful geographical expansion and bolstered leadership team
Norwell, MA – December 19, 2018 - empowerHER, a nonprofit organization serving young girls who have experienced the early loss of their mothers, today celebrates 100% year over year revenue growth, benefitting more than 150 young girls across Massachusetts. Fueled by a recently launched year-round giving society, the Partners Program and the success of the annual Soiree, empowerHER hosted 10 customized events for the girls and matched more than 40 girls with a positive female role model in 2018. Enrollment this year grew 120% and 20 new mentor matches were made. To serve even more girls in need, empowerHER also successfully launched into neighboring states Connecticut and New York to extend the reach of the organization’s unique programming to those girls suffering the painful loss of their mother. Founder Cara Belvin was also proudly named for the “Angels Among Us” award by Yankee Magazine and Jack Conway, Realtor awarded empowerHER with the coveted Conway Cares Award.
In 2018, empowerHER launched the year-round giving society, empowerHER Partners, and to date, has raised more than $160k through the generosity of local companies and philanthropic individuals. Founding Partners including Ropes & Gray, LLP, Eastern Bank, and Rob & Karen Hale join long-time supporters including Campanelli and Quincy Mutual Group, to help empowerHER build capacity and improve infrastructure. 2018 also gave way to a successful Soiree, the organization’s flagship fundraising event, bringing together 700 guests to support continued growth and expansion of empowerHER’s unique programming.
This year, empowerHER served more than 150 girls through EVENTS for GIRLS including the highly anticipated annual Mothers’ Day Retreat, Beach Bash, Cooking Classes and Writers Workshop, in tandem with a 1:1 MENTOR MATCH PROGRAM. empowerHER is one of the only youth mentor programs in this country working in the grief space and manages a wait list of nearly 75 qualified women waiting to be matched with a young girl. Both programs, EVENTS for GIRLS and 1:1 MENTOR MATCH PROGRAM are poised for growth and uniquely positioned to replicate these programs in new geographical regions across the country.
empowerHER is community-based and non-therapeutic and relies on the support of more than 400 volunteers across the state to execute a variety of mission and development activities. However, to support and sustain this year’s unprecedented growth, empowerHER bolstered its leadership team, making several strategic hires including Founder Cara Belvin to Executive Director, Allison Daraskevich to Creative Director, Diane Burke to Intake Coordinator, Joanie Quealy to Mentor Program Coordinator and Kristin Jordan to Office Manager. The seasoned team of passionate women join Cara to further the mission of empowerHER and positively impact the lives of so many young girls suffering alone.
Founder Cara Belvin co-produced the HBO event, The Conversation: Stories that Matter for the second consecutive year with producer Hope Edelman, Author, Motherless Daughters. This episodic speaker series focuses on the topic of early mother loss, and how daughters and sons are defined, shaped, and inspired by a mother’s death. Hope & Cara were joined by leading authors, athletes and experts in the field of grief and loss including Carole Geithner, Joe Primo, and Jon Babul to encourage open and honest dialogue around the topic of grief and how they rose above to lead happy and healthy lives. To learn more about this series, visit www.theconvoseries.com.
“I am humbled by the overwhelming support we have received this year to further our mission and directly impact the lives of young girls who are suffering this devastating loss,” said Cara Belvin, founder, empowerHER. “Our success is a direct reflection of the generosity of our community and a growing awareness of the gaps in resources designed specifically for young girls who are navigating the tricky terrain of grief, struggling to find their voice and others who can relate. I remain steadfast in my commitment to our mission and will continue to cultivate opportunities to instill hope, optimism and confidence among this beautiful community of girls who may just need a reminder of their own strength.”
About empowerHER
Headquartered in Norwell, MA, empowerHER is the only organization in the country specifically working to address the struggles of girls whose mothers have died. Through a comprehensive mentor program and year-round group events designed to remind the girls they are not alone in their grief, empowerHER works tirelessly to instill confidence and reduce isolation through a community of sisterhood that offers hope to each girl it serves. EVENTS for GIRLS include the signature Mothers’ Day Retreat, Annual Beach Bash and Writing Workshops in tandem with a thoughtful 1:1 MENTOR MATCH PROGRAM, designed to provide strong female role models as they traverse the difficult terrain of grief and as they mature into young adults. All programs and activities are provided at no charge to the family and empowerHER serves girls up to age 23. To learn more about empowerHER, visit www.empoweringher.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
