Project EmPOWER — Creating Connections, Changing Our Community

For many young people, the first encounter with anything justice-related — whether in school, neighborhoods, or social services — is through law-enforcement agencies.

Launched in 2021, Project EmPOWER is an innovative, transformative initiative between United Way of Broward County and Florida Power & Light (FPL) and its NextEra Energy Foundation — providing positive team-building interactions and building long-term trust and rapport between law-enforcement officers and young people from ages 10 to 17.

In addition to increasing the efficacy of community policing, Project EmPOWER is:

• promoting educational opportunities and career exploration for young people in STEAM-related fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math)
• developing community service, social skills, and self-esteem among its young participants
• providing education for law enforcement officers with United Way’s Crisis Intervention Trainings to increase officers’ understanding of environmental and societal factors shaping youth behavior
• enhancing empathy, de-escalation techniques, and interpersonal communication skills among officers
• reducing racial and ethnic disparities through culturally competent prevention and intervention services among law enforcement personnel
• encouraging community engagement and collaboration among people from different races and ethnicities
• supporting effective, productive interactions between law enforcement and young people across diverse backgrounds and mindsets

A central part of our United Way’s Education pillar, Project EmPOWER has impacted over 1,800 participants — connecting approximately 800 law enforcement officers with students of all ages across Broward County. In addition, Project EmPOWER has engaged 40 participating schools and youth-serving organizations as well as hosted over 200 community events bringing together youth, law enforcement, and community members.

Highlights of its hundreds of events in Broward County include:

• Project EmPOWER’s JA Career Bound Preparing Youth for Today’s Careers included students from South Plantation High School who explored the pros and cons of social media with the support of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). The students also visited the BSO hanger where specialized units (Dive, Bloodhound, Aviation, IT Mobile Command, and SWAT) conduct their trainings. The students participated in breakout sessions, where they learned about each unit and the path/training to join each unit.
• Project EmPOWER, in partnership with Urban League, Lauderhill Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office, coordinated an educational activity to raise awareness about bullying prevention, mental and emotional health, hate crimes, and ways to report and defuse negative encounters.
• Project EmPOWER, in partnership with the Crockett Foundation and Fort Lauderdale Police & Fire Rescue, organized four mini-STEAM XPOs that introduced middle-school students to various STEAM fields (e.g., drone flying, gaming, EMS, coding). In addition to fostering the efficacy of community policing, this event included collaboration with industry professionals to guide young people toward pursuing STEAM-focused careers.
• Project EmPOWER partnered with Blowing STEAM and Friendship Grill for a workshop to bridge gaps between our county’s special-needs population and law enforcement. Young people engaged in a culinary experience with law-enforcement officers, and teams from Friendship Grill educated the youth, parents, and officers on how they can register their children with the “Special Needs Registry” operated by the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
• Deputies from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and youth from the Urban League’s Crime Prevention and Intervention program participated in team-building activities at Broward College’s Tigertail Lake Recreational Center as well as discussed the current state of policing efforts, personal and difficult experiences with law enforcement, and actions that can strengthen the relationships between law enforcement officers and young people.
• The Urban League of Broward County held Youth Justice Day — an event which included a panel discussion with black law-enforcement professionals and where young people attended breakout sessions focused on individual rights, restorative justice, and mental health awareness.

Project EmPOWER’s community-building impact is undeniable, and our United Way is very proud to share this unique program recently was selected as a finalist in the “Collective Impact for Youth” category at the 14th Annual Non-Profit Awards, hosted by 211 Broward at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on March 7.

“Being a part of Project EmPOWER has been an eye-opening experience. The collaboration between law enforcement and our community has shown me the positive change we can achieve together,” says Officer Maurice Screen of the Lauderhill Police Department. “I’ve seen firsthand how our efforts are building a stronger community. The trust we’ve developed with young people has been incredible. Project EmPOWER is creating a fun, supportive, and meaningful environment for everyone who has participated.”

Get involved with the great impact of Project EmPOWER! Send an email to Georry Luberice, community engagement coordinator for Project EmPOWER, at [email protected]. He can connect a law enforcement agency to this program’s community-building activities, coordinate school programs, and answer any questions you may have.