ABOUT US
How Empowering Children MI Started
Empowering Children MI was born from a simple observation that became impossible to ignore: children in the founder's community were being excluded from youth sports and activities not because they didn't want to play, but because their families couldn't afford it. Our founder didn't commission a study or form a committee, he acted. What began as personally helping individual families pay for registration fees and equipment grew into something bigger, a recognition that this wasn't a problem affecting one or two families but a systemic barrier facing thousands of children across southeastern Michigan. The cost of youth sports has risen steadily for years, and for families already stretched thin, a $150 registration fee or a $75 pair of cleats is the difference between their child participating and their child watching from the sidelines. Empowering Children MI was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to formalize this work and create a vehicle for community investment in children's participation. There is a founder who cares deeply, a volunteer board, a church partnership, and 28 families whose children are playing and growing because someone decided their participation mattered.
Sports Registration & Fee Support
Covers league registration fees, team fees, and participation costs that prevent children from joining organized youth sports programs, the organization's most utilized service.
Sports Equipment Assistance
Provides funding for essential equipment — cleats, gloves, uniforms, protective gear — that families cannot afford. Many leagues require specific equipment, turning a $50 pair of shoes into a barrier.
Homeschool Co-op Fee Assistance
Covers fees for homeschool cooperative education programs. As Michigan's homeschool population has grown significantly since 2020, this program serves an expanding and underserved community.
Field Trip Funding
Provides financial support for educational field trips connected to homeschool and enrichment programming, ensuring children are not excluded from group learning experiences because of cost.