EMPOWER, standing for Economic Mobility Places Ownership within Everyone’s Reach, provides training, workshops, and personalized coaching to ensure Riverside families have the tools they need to achieve financial freedom and build generational wealth.

EMPOWER supports our community by investing in Riverside’s human capital. Paired with its companion project, RESTORE, which invests in physical capital, EMPOWER supports the development of the skills, knowledge, and behaviors necessary to achieve economic mobility and financial independence. This holistic support prepares individuals or families for homeownership and decreases dependence on financial subsidies.

EMPOWER services educate, coach, and engage residents of the Riverside community in asset-building services to create long-term financial independence and stability for their families. EMPOWER economic mobility services include group financial education, individual coaching, career readiness workshops, and employment assistance. The program equips participants with the skills to operate a positive budget by increasing income, savings, and credit scores, while decreasing debt and dependence on subsidies.

When an individual or family begins the EMPOWER program, they are first introduced to the Intake and Crisis Management Specialist (ICMS). The ICMS determines eligibility and reviews the enrollment process for the program. The ICMS then uses an assessment tool to complete an interview to determine the type of support needed for each individual or family. After the assessment, participants are paired with a Navigational Coach or Employment Specialist who creates an individualized service plan to support individuals in achieving their personal objectives.

EMPOWER offers connection to a variety of services which include, but are not limited to: