Building the Dream
Double Your Impact Campaign
Double Your Impact with Empowerment Squared
This giving season, your donation will go twice as far, thanks to a generous donor matching every dollar donated up to $150,000 — turning our collective fundraising efforts into an incredible $300,000! Together, we can double the impact in Canada and internationally.
At Empowerment Squared, we believe in the power of community and shared humanity. Rooted in the spirit of UBUNTU, “I am because you are,” we are committed to uplift newcomer, racialized, and marginalized youth, families, and communities, empowering them to unlock their potential and thrive.
Through education, mentorship, and empowerment, we’ve transformed thousands of lives both locally and globally. Our holistic and barrier-free programs address complex challenges such as poverty, cultural and language barriers, and wellbeing, while fostering resilience and growth.
With your support, we can expand and deepen vital programs like academic mentorship, access to postsecondary education, sports and recreation, and professional skills development.
Let’s come together to Build the Dream and double your impact this giving season. Your generosity will not only change lives—it will unlock hopes and dreams.
Donate to the campaign today
IMPACT STORIES: MEET MARIAM, WALEED, SELE and JORIETTA.
Mariam, Program Participant, Canada
Mariam has been a participant in Empowerment Squared programs for 4 years. Some of her involvement has included programs such as Literacy, Homework Circle, Soccer, and Camp Ubuntu.
When Mariam first joined Empowerment Squared, she found that “interacting with people and making new friends was difficult”. Mariam started with Empowerment Squared during COVID, when school was all online. As a young person, this was difficult as it meant less interactions with her peers and leaders. Mariam also experienced challenges in getting adequate support with math homework, since “it was hard to learn from and trust people online.”
Empowerment Squared programs enable Mariam to develop her social skills by easing her into group interactions both digitally and in-person. Mariam says “The people that help us with our homework are nice and they care about us.” She “enjoys Empowerment Squared programs because they are fun and helpful.” Through these programs, Miriam has been able to “learn about and finish her homework, especially math!”
Waleed, Program Participant, Canada
Waleed, a 10th grade student, has been participating in Empowerment Squared for three years. He has participated in several programs, including Homework Circle and Summer Soccer. Most recently, Waleed participated in a 5-week Introductory Networking Workshop and attended a Postsecondary Information Workshop.
Before joining Empowerment Squared, Waleed recalled having a lot of trouble reading and felt that he didn’t know how to ask questions. The mentors at Homework Circle made him feel confident to start asking questions, and they helped him with his reading skills. His favourite parts of Empowerment Squared programs are “the snacks, working with the mentors, and the fun activities. I love the variety of programs we can be part of!”
When asked about a memory that makes him proud, Waleed remembers meeting the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, at the Draga Vision Care opening celebration. He felt “really proud that Empowerment Squared wanted to introduce him to Minister Tassi and that he was chosen to be a part of this important event.”
Waleed reflects that “Empowerment Squared has truly helped me develop as a student and as a person.”
Sele, Leader and Program Participant, Liberia
Sele has been connected with Empowerment Squared since meeting Leo Johnson, Founder and CEO of the organization, in 2017 in Liberia. Through workshops, mentoring, and coaching sessions, Sele has been able to develop critical leadership skills, including fundraising, communication, and strategic thinking.
Empowerment Squared’s dedication to building the Liberian Learning Center—the first post-war public library and learning facility in Liberia—has deeply inspired Sele. He reflects that “my support from Empowerment Squared has not only shifted my ways of thinking but has empowered me to envision system-level change in my work as a youth developer.”
As an active civic leader, Sele is engaged in nurturing young leaders, helping small businesses grow and supporting grassroots initiatives for youth empowerment. His involvement with Empowerment Squared has fueled his passion for creating opportunities and has provided him with tools to win grants, secure leadership roles in projects, and receive national and international recognition, including the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Sele eagerly anticipates the official opening of the Liberian Learning Center. He shares that “Empowerment Squared has not only shaped my professional journey but also my commitment to empowering others. The Center stands as a beacon of hope, and I am excited to see the transformative impact it will bring to Liberia.”
Jorietta, Program Participant, Liberia
Jorietta, from Bong, Liberia, grew up and lives in a challenging environment with high poverty rates, low literacy, and concerning human rights issues. She was worried that her values and ambitions might fade under these pressures. Joining the KUWO Leadership Training Program—a partnership between Empowerment Squared and McMaster University—changed her perspective and direction. Through this program, she participated in immersive, solution-focused leadership training, learning to approach problems with a solutions mindset and to see her potential to make a difference.
This transformation led Jorietta to join the Rotaract Club of Monrovia, a partner organization of Empowerment Squared, resonating with Rotary’s mission of “service above self.” Her involvement in the Liberian Learning Center project further strengthened her commitment to addressing Liberia’s educational challenges. Today, Jorietta feels a renewed sense of purpose, with hope for her country’s future and a broad view of the ways young leaders like her can contribute. Empowerment Squared has empowered her to see that, despite obstacles, young leaders can drive development and bring about meaningful change in Liberia.
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Making History Together: Building the Dream
Empowerment Squared will celebrate a groundbreaking moment in Paynesville, Liberia—the Grand Opening of Phase I of the Liberian Learning Center on December 13, 2024. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to transforming lives through education and empowerment.
As Liberia’s first comprehensive learning facility and public library, the Center will provide critical resources to over 250,000 community members, reshaping the educational landscape in a nation still recovering from the devastation of war and Ebola. Phase I features a vibrant children’s library, a public library, and innovative co-working and business incubation spaces, offering opportunities for learning, collaboration, and growth.
This is just the beginning. We are embarking on Phase II—an ambitious plan to build a unique, multipurpose indoor recreation and events facility to foster even greater community connection, learning, and exchange.
Join us on this transformative journey! Through our Building the Dream: Double Your Impact Campaign, every dollar you donate will be matched by a generous donor, up to $150,000.
Together, we can double the impact and build a brighter, more equitable future with the people of Liberia. Your support today will shape the dreams of today and the futures of tomorrow.