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A Letter From Our Founder
There are moments when I get to pause, look around, and really take in what’s happening through Empower4Life and this season has been full of those moments. The kind that stop you in your tracks. The kind that remind you why this work matters so deeply.
From the laughter and movement filling our spring shelter sessions, to the quiet, powerful transformation of a child regaining confidence after hours of care and attention… these are the moments that stay with me. They’re not always loud or visible, but they are everything. They are why we continue to show up, to push forward, and to believe in what’s possible for every child we serve.
We’re also stepping into a season of growth. Whether it’s expanding Camp Quest to reach even more campers this summer or launching new opportunities like SPARK Birthday Parties every step forward is rooted in impact, connection, and the belief that we can always do more.
None of this happens without you. Your support, your trust, and your willingness to be part of this journey is what allows us to keep showing up for these kids and families in meaningful ways. I am endlessly grateful to walk alongside you in this work.
Jennifer Cox Founder, Empower4Life
Shelter Sessions Spring into Impact
Our spring in-shelter sessions are off to a strong start! With 2 dedicated teachers leading each evening, children are engaging in a dynamic mix of activities including improv, Pilates, POUND Fit!, yoga, and special holiday-themed experiences. These sessions continue to provide a fun, supportive environment where kids can build confidence, stay active, and explore new ways to express themselves. Infants & Toddlers has also launched its spring session at our largest partner shelter targeting early intervention learning for kids ages 0-5. With these programs we bring new learning opportunities to the shelters outside of school hours where all of the programming is normally geared towards adults
Restoring Confidence, One Act of Care at a Time
After years of searching, we were finally able to connect one of our students with someone who had the time, skill, and heart to care for her severely neglected hair, a process that took incredible patience and nearly seven hours to complete. Thanks to this act of compassion, our 6th grade friend walked away not only with a beautiful new hairstyle, but with a renewed sense of confidence. Paired with a new outfit, she headed to school the next day feeling proud of herself in a way she hadn’t felt in a very long time, something her family shared deep gratitude for!
Help Provide an Unforgettable Summer to a Camper
We’re excited to officially kick off our Camp Quest 2026 fundraiser and this year, we’re dreaming even bigger. After the incredible impact of last summer’s overnight camp, we’re expanding to serve 30 campers, giving even more children the chance to experience the joy, growth, and confidence that camp provides.
To make this possible, we’re working to raise $60,000 to cover transportation, lodging, meals, activities, and staffing. We invite you to be part of this life-changing experience by sponsoring a camper. Your support helps create a space where kids can simply be kids building friendships, trying new things, and making memories that last a lifetime, while also giving them the rare opportunity to step away from the stress and uncertainty of their daily lives and immerse themselves in the beauty, peace, and possibility of a 200+ acre camp setting.
Camp Quest is now held in loving memory of Wes Guckert, a devoted supporter of Empower4Life whose generosity and belief in our mission helped bring our first-ever overnight camp to life.
Tina is at the core of many of Empower4Life's key initiatives and has been since she started with us in 2019! She is a consistent teacher for our educational programs bringing yoga, meditation, and fun games that help the children we support practice calming skills. She is a full-time staff member for Camp Quest and has been for the past 3 summers, and she participates in some capacity in all other E4L drives and events. Each initiative that she is involved in has more creativity, passion, fun, and love. Tina is the first to jump on any of our programs, initiatives fundraisers.. she truly is all things E4L! Outside of Empower4Life, Tina loves traveling with her husband, Travis. She is also a fur mama! We are so grateful to have her on our team and as this month's staff highlight.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are always in need of dedicated volunteers both individuals and groups who want to make a meaningful impact in our community. Whether you’re interested in supporting ongoing programs or lending a hand at special events, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Two upcoming opportunities include our Back-to-School Project on August 15, 2026, where volunteers will help sort, pack, and deliver donations to shelters across Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil Counties, and our Annual Gala on October 15, 2026, which will require support before, during, and after the event.
We’re excited to launch a brand-new way to celebrate at Empower4Life! With our SPARK Birthday Parties, kids ages 7–12 can enjoy a fun, themed celebration with friends while also giving back to children experiencing homelessness.
From creative activities to meaningful service projects, it’s a birthday party filled with purpose, connection, and impact.
Looking for a celebration that goes beyond the candles and cake? This is it!
Join us for a fun and meaningful way to support raising funds for our 2026 Camp Quest! Stop by our Sip & Shop event on April 18th (7 AM – 12 PM) at E4L HQ in Kingsville [12037 BelAir Road, Suite B, Kingsville 21087] to shop new and gently used clothing, household items, and E4L swag all while enjoying complimentary bites and beverages. Every purchase helps fund an incredible summer experience for our campers!
We’re also accepting donations of items to sell, including clothing, shoes, purses, toys, books, games, small household items, baby gear, and new (in-box) appliances. Drop-offs can be made at our HQ on 4/9 (1–3 PM), 4/11 (8–10 AM), and 4/16 (6–8 PM). (Please note: we cannot accept donations on the day of the event.)
Save the Date! 2026 Back to School Drive
Mark your calendars for August 15, 2026! Our annual Back-to-School Drive will be back, and we can’t wait to continue supporting children in our community with the supplies and confidence they need for a successful school year. Stay tuned for ways to get involved, including opportunities to sponsor a child and volunteer. We’d love to have you be part of it!
Save the Date! 2026 Empower4Life Gala
Save the date and get ready for another unforgettable night! 🎉 Our 2026 Empower4Life Gala is officially on the calendar, and we are thrilled to share that we are returning to the Boumi Temple... yes, we heard your feedback!
Join us on Thursday, October 15, 2026 for an evening filled with purpose, celebration, and impact as we come together once again to support children experiencing homelessness. More details to come, but for now, mark your calendars. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!
Upcoming Ignite Initiatives
Kindness Camp 2026!
Registration is open for Kindness Camp! This year's theme is "Making Waves of Kindness" and will be held from July 20–24 from 9:00 AM–12:30 PM. Register your children aged 8-11 for a week of learning, creativity, and connection. We can’t wait to welcome our next group of changemakers!
The Ignite Program is excited to launch a monthly Kindness Book Club! Each month, we’ll select a children’s book that reflects Ignite’s mission to spread kindness by igniting young hearts with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to create a lasting impact in their communities.
Here are the books we've reflected on so far:
January: The Kindness Book by Todd Parr
February: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
March: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
April: Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
We’re incredibly proud to share that our founder, Jennifer Cox, was recently featured in VoyageBaltimore Magazine’s Inspiring Stories series, highlighting leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. In the interview, Jennifer opens up about the moments that shaped her journey witnessing firsthand the challenges her students faced and feeling called to do more which ultimately led to the creation of Empower4Life in 2015. Her story is a powerful reminder that when compassion meets action, lives are changed not just for the children we serve, but for entire families and communities.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for being here with us. Whether you’re reading, sharing, volunteering, or giving your support is felt in every program, every child served, and every moment of impact. We are so grateful to have a community that believes so deeply in this mission, and we can’t wait to continue building, growing, and showing up together in the months ahead.
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