Little Kids, Big Dreams

Empower4Life

Many of us lead a life of privilege. You are probably one. And right about now the suggestion that you are among the privileged has you squirming in your chair. But please, allow me to tell you a little story that may inspire you to change someone’s life. I promise, this will have a great ending.

Now, back to this concept of privilege…

Privilege is a special advantage or right, often based on birth, social position, or wealth, that is not available to everyone. Privilege is a relative term. There are probably those who you’ve encountered in life who trigger envy in your veins. They have a life that you aspire to have yet one that for you and yours feels unattainable. It’s a lifestyle that probably feels like the unreachable star.

But have you ever taken a moment to wrap your mind around the thought that YOUR lifestyle is that which others yearn for but the hopelessness that weighs on them delivers the cruel reality that it’s just never going to happen. Each day becomes a challenge to make it to the next day, and the next. I was reminded of this humbling truth just the other night when I had the privilege (there’s that word again) and honor to attend the annual Little Kids, Big Dreams Gala hosted by Empower4Life and its incredible Executive Director, Jennifer Cox.

I first met Jen several years ago and she later asked me to participate in a career day for students at Kenwood High School. I was struck by Jen’s selflessness and willingness to put the needs of others ahead of her own. Her indomitable spirit to help her fellow man knows no bounds and is the lifeblood that drives Empower4Life.

Empower4Life views itself as a community of passionate members who donate time and resources to make a difference in the lives of homeless children. At its core, this community embraces the belief that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves love, hope, and opportunity. The gala highlighted stories of transformation, impact, and the powerful dreams of the children that Empower4Life serves.

Jen shared videos that captured the joy of children and their families when given a chance to accomplish, to taste something better than the daily struggles they’ve grown accustomed to and the hope that such uncommon joyful days in their impoverished world could happen with more regularity. Given Jen’s insatiable desire to carve a path to better days for these children, there’s little doubt that times of joy are future gifts just waiting to be unwrapped.

But Jen needs our help – yours and mine.

Recently I saw a video clip of Sarah McLachlan who was a guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. The two discussed Sarah’s song “Angel” which was featured on the SPCA commercial asking for your support for abused animals and help them find new homes and restore comfort to their respective worlds. I’m sure you’ve seen it.

The commercial touches your soul. It reaches inside and unlocks our innate ability to help. These vulnerable animals only want to be loved and given a chance to exist in a caring home. The commercial features many breeds of dogs and while they look different, they all have one thing in common – the sadness in their eyes. It draws you in and inspires you to come to their aid. To date, people have supported the cause of the SPCA to the tune of $30 million thanks to this ad.

Now imagine that those dogs were children.

“I’m a single mother of 3 sons and currently a resident of the shelter with my boys. We’ve been having a very difficult time financially and I wanted to express my gratitude to you for your kindness. Because of you, my boys will be able to start school with their heads held as high as they should. Thank you so much for this blessing.” ~ Shelter resident, recipient of Empower4Life Back-to-School drive supplies

When Jen spoke at the podium during the gala, you could have heard a pin drop. The emotion in her voice left us all with lumps in our throats, tears in our eyes. Her compassion awakened ours. Within moments, $70,000 was donated by those in attendance.

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” ~ Forest E. Witcraft teacher, scholar

The potential of Jen’s mission, her vision, became clear on this one beautiful evening in October. But to get there, to help more families find joy, to uncover hope and to live more happily requires each one of us. If McLachlan’s ad could be so effective for pets, couldn’t Empower4Life do the same for children?

Empower. Such a strong word.

To “feel empowered” means to feel confident, capable, and in control of your own life, with the inner strength to make your own choices and pursue your own goals. These children, with our help, have an opportunity to feel empowered.

As the gala began to wind down, I had one of those surreal moments. You know the kind when you take in your surroundings, your mind drifts and it’s as if everything is moving in slow motion. In a way, time stands still. And during those moments, for some reason, I thought of the final scene in the movie “Scrooged”, when Frank Cross played by Bill Murray, is enlightened by the spirit of Christmas. It is reminiscent of the scene in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when the Grinch’s heart grew 5 times its size.

Cross summarized Christmas Eve this way:

“For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be. It’s a… miracle. It’s really a sort of a miracle.”

Like Jennifer Cox, we all have a chance to be a miracle for the children of Empower4Life.

It was a privilege to experience Jen’s miracle.

And I hope that after reading this, maybe you feel the same.

That maybe you too will want to make a difference, no matter how small, in the life of a child.

---

If you care to make a difference, please DONATE HERE

The post Little Kids, Big Dreams appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/10/19/lombardis-way/empower4life/