Our Mission

EmpowHer stands with girls, young women, and families across northern New Jersey — especially those impacted by foster care — meeting urgent needs at moments of upheaval and building the confidence, life skills, and career readiness that carry young people into stable adulthood.

EmpowHer serves youth and families in Sussex, Morris, Passaic, and Essex Counties, (Northern) New Jersey.

WHAT WE DO

EmpowHer programs are designed to meet two needs at the same time, immediate stabilization and long-term growth. We partner with child-serving agencies, shelters, schools, and local organizations to deliver small group workshops and targeted distributions that remain personal and responsive.

• Journey Totes, personalized suitcases for youth in transition
• Power A Wish, individualized wish fulfillment for foster youth
• Beyond the Bookshelf, reading and literacy confidence
• Journey Forward Caterpillar & Butterfly Workshops

THE PROBLEM WE ARE SOLVING

Youth impacted by foster care, along with women and families in underserved communities, face layered barriers that limit access to opportunity. These barriers include economic instability, disrupted education, limited professional networks, lack of mentorship, and inadequate preparation for independent living and career advancement.

For foster youth aging out of care, the loss of formal supports creates heightened risks of homelessness, unemployment, and long term financial insecurity. For women and families, especially single mothers and caregivers, systemic inequities often result in underemployment, limited career mobility, and reduced access to professional development resources.

These challenges are not due to lack of ability, they are the result of gaps in access, continuity, and support. EmpowHer exists to close those gaps.