A little over two years ago, the seed of a dream
was planted into the heart of someone who saw the need to provide food for
local children. Along with her husband and family, she took that seed and
planted it in Clermont County. From that germ of an idea Empower Youth grew. And continues to grow.
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| photo by Lori Conley |
The first time I heard Lori Conley speak, with
compassion in her heart for children in poverty, I cried. To know that there are
children who may not have a meal to eat or a pillow to lay their head on breaks
my heart. Young people may be left to fend for themselves for any number of
reasons. But they shouldn't have to go hungry, ever.
Tonight, Tim and I were blessed to stand
beside other folks from the community and pack boxes of macaroni and
cheese, juice bags, fruit cups, ravioli, crackers and various other food items
into plastic bags. Each of the 385 bags will go home from school with a child,
to provide a weekend meal.
That's not all. Empower Youth not only provides
food, they also give a pillow with a pillow case to kindergarteners each school
year. Plus they offer scholarships for summer camp.
To read more about empower youth go to their
website at https://empoweryouth.me/about/ You'll find opportunities to volunteer, give, and
encourage.
I'd love to see this program continue to grow and
flourish. Please share this post so that more folks will know, and more will help.
"Empower Youth was founded in February 2015 to partner with children and youth in hopes of instilling in them the confidence and resources needed to break through the chains of generational poverty."