"Happy Birthday to me, and Happy Thanksgiving to all!"

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

This sentiment, spoken by John. F. Kennedy and many others since, encapsulates the importance of being intentional to walk our talk. 

For me, there is no better day to do this than today! Not only because it is Thanksgiving but it is also my birthday. It is an honor to take my special day and express gratitude and thanks for YOU - our supporters, my champions, our clients, our friends, and our family. 

In all of the professional roles I have held over my 20-year career, none has afforded me the opportunity to live out my appreciation as boldly as my position as Executive Director of The Empowerment Center (TEC). My work here creates space for me to live a life of service to our most vulnerable population...children. 

I am continually humbled that our work has garnered the philanthropic support of some of our most trusted corporate messengers in the private and public sector, mental health sector, and workforce development including the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), the Black Equity Fund (BEF), California Jobs First, Jobs For the Future (JFF), the City of Temecula, and the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB). These are not just organizations, there are real people behind these funding sources. People who, just like us, are living out their gratitude by giving back. 

Then, there are my silent heroes. Those who quietly build in the background with their time, talent, and treasure. Your partnership has equipped our organization to begin to scale an industry-level expansion of our Youth Leadership Academy, integrating expert-level mental health supports, housing for under-resourced populations, and wraparound services for our program participants. 

Last, but certainly, not least - none of this would be possible, without our Founder and President, Tiffany Baker. Tiffany, you were the first person in my life to be “the one.” You sacrificed your entire life so that I could have a better one. I will forever live my life in gratitude, appreciation, and service to others because THIS is what you have done for me, my children, and my children’s children. 

Proverbs 13:22 says, "A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children." You have left an inheritance of moral stability for us, and this is just my way of saying “thanks". 

I am grateful to each of you, and as you give thanks around this holiday season, remember - don’t just utter words, but live by them by discovering new ways to demonstrate your gratitude, because you never know whose life you’re going to change by your acts of thankfulness. 

Enjoy our special updates and acknowledgments. Happy Thanksgiving!

Teresse Lewis, LCSW

Executive Director

The Empowerment Center

The Empowerment Center

27262 Via Industria Temecula, CA 92590 | 951-514-2939

www.theempowermentcenterintl.com