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May 1, 2025
Meet Patrick Burke! Another of our fantastic volunteers, who says:
“I first learned of Empower when I worked for GoBus and used to drive clients to the center and often hung out when they had their programs there.
I have volunteered with Empower off and on for about 10 years and would play music for the Thursdays group and at Christmas time. I also play for their Members’ Barbecue.
I’m involved with the Canada Games this year and play music at every seniors home in St. John’s and Mount Pearl, CBS and the Southern Shore.
Volunteering has been my world. It is time consuming but a labor of love. Since I have retired I have been doing it more frequently and being retired from the military it has helped me battle PTSD. Music is my life and to see the smiles on peoples faces make it all worthwhile.
My family has been a positive support throughout my career and everything I do. My partner has to endure me gone most days with all that I do but is 100% supportive. I play hockey 3 times a week and in the summer I trout, play softball and play lots of golf.”
April 30, 2025
Our second Volunteer Spotlight is Amanda Howlett! She says:
“Someone my mom worked for told her about Empower a long time ago and we went for a tour and signed me up.
I’ve been volunteering with Empower for 16 – 17 years. I am a board member and have been for 12 years with a break in between. I also volunteer with the Dinner Club. Volunteering has given me a lot of skills like answering the phone, taking messages and taking minutes.
In my free time I like to watch TV, play games on my phone and just hangout. I live at home with my family and I am the administrative assistant at Avalon Employment. I love my job and I am a proud auntie to two nieces and a nephew – being a auntie is my favorite thing! ”
April 29, 2025
In our first Volunteer Spotlight, meet Stephanie Evans, one of EmpowerNL’s impressive volunteers!
“I began volunteering with Empower around 2015. It’s been quite a while, and I really enjoy it—whether it’s assisting with events, supporting members, or providing feedback to the community.
My journey with Empower began from wanting to make a difference in the community. I started volunteering with InclusionNL, which promotes inclusivity and fosters connections among people. By participating in events like the Regatta, Frosty Fest, and Folk Fest, I found a sense of purpose in helping create spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued. These experiences allowed me to connect with others equally passionate about supporting one another, and I truly felt the impact of our collective efforts. Being part of Empower has deepened my understanding of the struggles some face and fueled my commitment to advocate for positive change in our community.
Volunteering has improved my life by helping me connect with people. I enjoy trying new things and I find joy in supporting others. Whether having a friendly chat or listening to someone who needs help, I aim to make someone’s day a little brighter. I currently volunteer with:
- Chairperson / NL Director of NEADS
- Disability Representative for CFSNL
- Volunteer Service Crew for the Canada Summer Games
- Member of the Hummingbird Network
- Wavemakers Advocacy Board Member
- NL member on the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health
- ASI Planning Committee Member
- Co-op Member for Social Justice NL
In my personal life, I enjoy being outdoors, especially when hiking and walking. I like to stay active through sports. I love to travel and spend time with my friends and family, and I enjoy going to concerts. I also find joy in spending time with my cat, Charlie. I have a bachelor’s degree in social work. I always take every opportunity that comes my way and give it my all. Life is short, and if I can help at least one person, all my efforts are worth it.”
April 28, 2025
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Empowered Learning Session about Budgets and Money Management that was originally scheduled for April 29th has been cancelled.
The session has been rescheduled for Tuesday May 6th at Empower from 1:30-3pm.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
April 28, 2025
💙 To Our Amazing Volunteers:
On behalf of the Staff and Members of EmpowerNL, thank you for showing up and supporting our disability community with so much heart. Your time, energy, and compassion help break down barriers and build a world where everyone belongs.
Because of YOU, we’re creating more inclusive & accessible spaces, more opportunities, and more hope. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you.
April 25, 2025
EmpowerNL’s Member Services is having a Trivia Night fundraiser TONIGHT!
- Date: Tonight, Friday, April 25th
- Location: Westside Charlies Village Mall
- Time: 7pm registration, 7:30pm trivia begins
- Cost: $40 per team (max 4 people per team)
- Registration email: Send Email
- Prizes: First prize – $100 cash, Second Prize – 25$ Westside Charlies gift card, Third Prize – swag bag
The funds raised during this event will go directly back to our Member Services activities. At Empower we offer fully inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for independent living skills, creativity, and current affairs. We coordinate social and recreational programs and activities for members both at our center and in our community including dinner clubs, games nights, book clubs, gardening, summer barbecues and more. It is also important to us that members can support one another through our peer support groups and programs.
Most activities at Empower are offered at no cost to members, with snacks and supplies provided by the center. Funds raised will also help pay for other supports such as Sign Language interpreters, fidget toys, and even braille!
Don’t miss it!
April 21, 2025
With our NEW Member Services group (Keeping Up with Current Affairs) starting last week, we thought we’d share some basic information about disability in Canada.
We’ll start with the overall disability rate – did you know that 🍁27% of Canadians🍁 have at least one disability, many more than one? This number is up 5% from 2017!
Another interesting disability fact is that 30% of Canadian women and 24% of Canadian men have at least one disability. This is up 6% for women and 4% for men since 2017!
The age group with the fastest growing rate of disability in Canada is youth, from 15 to 24, with 20% having at least one disability. 24% of adults aged 25 to 64 have a disability as do 40% of seniors (65+). Again, all of these numbers have increased since 2017, with youth jumping a whopping 7%!
Of the 27% of Canadians that have disabilities, 29% have one disability. A massive 71% have two or more disabilities! It’s estimated that 70-80% of disabilities are non-apparent (invisible/hidden disabilities).
People with disabilities face barriers every day. And some are obvious, but many aren’t. Of the 27 total types of barriers researched, the accessibility of public spaces is the biggest barrier at 56% of those surveyed. Communication barriers come in at 48%. Behavioural barriers such as misconceptions or assumptions sit at 37% while online barriers are 17%. Overall, 72% of disabled Canadians faced one or more barriers to their disability within the previous year.
With numbers like these, it’s obvious that a lot more people live with disabilities than would ever be apparent just by looking. Meaning that it’s even more important for Canadians to do what we do best – be kind!❤️
April 16, 2025
EmpowerNL’s Member Services is having a Trivia Night fundraiser!
- Date: April 25th
- Location: Westside Charlies Village Mall
- Time: 7pm registration, 7:30pm trivia begins
- Cost: $40 per team (max 4 people per team)
- Registration email: Sherri@EmpowerNL.ca
- Prizes: First prize – $100 cash, Second Prize – 25$ Westside Charlies gift card, Third Prize – swag bag
The funds raised during this event will go directly back to our Member Services activities. At Empower we offer fully inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for independent living skills, creativity, and current affairs. We coordinate social and recreational programs and activities for members both at our center and in our community including dinner clubs, games nights, book clubs, gardening, summer barbecues and more. It is also important to us that members can support one another through our peer support groups and programs.
Most activities at Empower are offered at no cost to members, with snacks and supplies provided by the center. Funds raised will also help pay for other supports such as Sign Language interpreters, fidget toys, and even braille!
Don’t miss it!
April 14, 2025
Are you under 29 and like to attend (or work at) festivals and other public events?
Independent Living Canada needs you!
They are looking for input on employment and the accessibility of outdoor, indoor, and virtual festivals and events in Canada. They will use your input to create Canadian festival and event accessibility recommendations to be used by future Canadian festivals and events and to inform future standards for Accessibility Standards Canada.
This survey takes two to three minutes to fill out, and you will be anonymous. You can fill it out online at Youth with Disabilities Festival Accessibility Survey
For questions, contact Lisa, the Research Study Coordinator: Send Email
For alternate formats of this survey: Festival Accessibility Survey Alternate Formats
This project is funded by Accessibility Standards Canada, and the Government of Canada. Independent Living Canada is a national non-profit association of community-based Independent Living Centres. They are run by, and for, people with disabilities.
April 7, 2025
Members are invited to come together to learn more about current affairs or events that impact our world and our closer community.
Our first group will be held on Monday, April 14 from 1:30 – 3:00pm at 4 Escasoni Place
During this session we will explain and discuss 2 topics:
- A basic understanding of federal (Canadian) and provincial (Newfoundland and Labrador) political systems, and a basic introduction of party leaders.
- Taxes and Tariffs – What are they really? How are they good and how are they bad?