OUR HISTORY
The Empowerment Community was founded in November 2015 by Stanley & Christie Cofer. Stanley & Christie were pastoring a church in Tyler, TX. and he states that he felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to come from behind the pulpit and the four walls of the church setting to engage the community. He sensed God telling him that through this path he would find more success in affecting the community at large than he would in a four-walled church setting. The Empowerment CDC has and is having a great effect in bringing diversity of people together for the common good of all men.
What We Do
Empowerment Community Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that focuses on various community development activities. Our mission is to provide resources to educate, equip, and empower individuals, families, and communities. We specifically target low-to-moderate income communities in the East Texas Region, serving the disadvantaged, underprivileged, and underserved.
Our organization is involved in a wide range of areas including education, arts, tourism, veteran services, scholarships, grants, youth mentorship, history preservation, community development, housing, economic empowerment, and support for small and minority-owned businesses. Through our efforts, we aim to uplift and improve the lives of individuals and communities in the East Texas region.
By offering educational resources, mentorship programs, and scholarships, we strive to ensure that everyone has access to learning opportunities and the chance to succeed. We also support the arts and tourism sectors, recognizing their importance in promoting cultural appreciation and economic growth in our community. Moreover, we are dedicated to assisting veterans and their families by providing services that address their unique needs and challenges. Through our grant programs, we aim to support local initiatives that promote community development and enhance the quality of life for residents. We also actively engage in youth mentorship programs, recognizing the importance of guiding the next generation towards a successful future.
Preserving history is also one of our core objectives, as we believe that understanding and appreciating our past is essential for shaping our future. Our efforts in community development involve promoting affordable housing options, fostering economic empowerment, and supporting small and minority-owned businesses, recognizing their vital role in our local economy.
Overall, Empowerment Community Development Corporation is committed to making a positive difference in our community. Through our various programs and initiatives, we strive to create a more inclusive, empowered, and prosperous future for all.
Empowerment Neighborhood Development Services (ENDS)
1. Our goal is to conduct Community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities through an ongoing process of identifying and addressing needs, assets, and priority investments. Our activities may support infrastructure, economic development projects, installation of public facilities, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance and many other identified needs.
We will also encourage & motivate community members to come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Our Community development efforts will range from small initiatives within a small group to large initiatives that involve the broader community.
2. Economic Development – We seek for the development of wealth and the well-being of low to moderate income communities. We will seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and/or retaining jobs and supporting or growing incomes and the tax base. We will also focus on the recruitment of business operations, assisting in the expansion or retention of business operations or assisting in the start-up of new businesses.
3. Affordable Housing – Our goal is to provide affordable housing through tiny/small homes with the price range under $150,000.