EMPOWERED: Poppin’ for a Purpose

Founded in January 2024, EMPOWERED is a teen mentorship and leadership development program under Higher Is Waiting Nonprofit Organization, founded by Jayden Watkins. EMPOWERED exists to educate, equip, and empower teens through faith-based mentorship, leadership training, and community service, helping young people grow spiritually, academically, and socially while becoming confident change-makers in their communities. Today, EMPOWERED serves 131 active members across Vance County and surrounding rural communities. The program provides safe spaces, consistent mentorship, leadership development experiences, educational workshops, and hands-on service opportunities for teens ages 13 to 19. From packing and distributing thousands of blessing bags to participating in community outreach and career exploration experiences, EMPOWERED is committed to building the next generation of leaders. EMPOWERED: Poppin’ for a Purpose 🍿 is a 30-day, youth-led fundraising campaign with a goal of selling 1,000 bags of popcorn to directly support the growth and sustainability of this work. Funds raised through this campaign will help provide essential resources such as mentorship programming, leadership development activities, transportation for students, community service initiatives, and opportunities that expose teens to college, careers, and personal growth experiences. Every bag purchased is an investment in a young person’s future. It helps create environments where teens feel seen, supported, and empowered to rise above challenges and walk confidently in their purpose. This is more than a fundraiser. It is a movement to empower the next generation of leaders, one bag at a time.

$147.00 raised of $8,000.00