The Empowerment Program

What The Empowerment Program does

The Empowerment Program, Inc. is a Denver-based nonprofit organization founded in 1986 that delivers trauma-informed, gender-responsive behavioral health, HIV prevention and care, harm reduction, housing, and re-entry services. It primarily serves cis and transgender women with lived experience in the criminal legal system and/or homelessness, with secondary services (HIV/HepC/STI testing, harm reduction supplies, PrEP navigation) extending to the broader Denver metro community. The portfolio is organized around four pillars — Health, Housing, Education, and Employment — and includes the WAGEES (Work and Gain Education and Employment Skills) re-entry program, CHAPP Pathways to Wellness, Project: Elevate (a 55-bed halfway house in partnership with the City and County of Denver), Empowerment Apartments at Greyhound Park (50 units), and the in-development Chrysalis Apartments (70 units breaking ground November 2025). All enrolled participant services are free, with HIV/HepC/STI walk-in testing available without enrollment; the organization holds a license as a mental health and drug treatment provider.

Revenue is generated primarily through government grants and contracts — most notably Colorado Department of Corrections appropriations under HB14-1355, SB18-1176, and HB18-1176 funding the WAGEES program — supplemented by private donations (individual, corporate, Amazon Wish List, King Soopers Community Rewards, Denver Foundation Agency-Advised Fund), licensed clinical service billing, and large project-specific capital from affordable-housing financiers including Enterprise Community Partners, Colorado Housing Finance Authority, and Community Capital Corporation. Outreach is delivered through the main 1600 York Street headquarters, housing facilities, Denver County Jail, project sites, and partner agencies, with referral pipelines coordinated through the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative's OneHome VI-SPDAT system. Reported annual scale metrics include 3,000 participants in health programming and outreach, 500 with housing support, 2,000 in treatment/education/social support, and 250 in employment education.

Name

The Empowerment Program

Legal name

The Empowerment Program, Inc.

Website

https://empowermentprogram.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Empowerment Program is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that delivers trauma-informed, gender-responsive behavioral health, HIV care and prevention, harm reduction, re-entry, and affordable housing services primarily to cis and transgender women with criminal justice involvement and/or homelessness in the Denver metro area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Reentry support services
• Harm reduction services
• Affordable housing programs
• HIV prevention care

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: Primary funding from Colorado Department of Corrections through WAGEES program (HB14-1355, SB18-1176, HB18-1176). The organization receives government funding to support re-entry services, mental health, and substance use disorder programming.
2. Private Donations: Individual and corporate donations through general fund, Amazon Wish List, King Soopers Community Rewards program, and Denver Foundation Agency-Advised Fund.
3. Licensed Mental Health and Substance Use Services: As a licensed mental health and drug treatment program, services are covered through various health insurance programs and government healthcare funding for eligible participants.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Empowerment Program is a Denver-based, licensed mental health and drug treatment nonprofit that provides trauma-informed, gender-responsive services across four integrated pillars: Health (HIV testing and care, PrEP navigation, harm reduction, substance use disorder treatment, mental health, AcuDetox ear acupuncture), Housing (Project: Elevate halfway house, Empowerment Apartments at Greyhound Park, Chrysalis Apartments, Mariposa House transitional housing), Education (group classes, Project Bedtime Story, Budgeteers financial literacy), and Employment (WAGEES reentry case management, Pathways to Success Job Readiness). Services are delivered free to enrolled participants through the main office, off-site at correctional and partner facilities, and through housing developments in Commerce City and Denver.

Product overview

The Empowerment Program is a Denver-based nonprofit organization (founded 1986) that operates as a licensed mental health and drug treatment program providing trauma-informed and gender-responsive outpatient services. The organization offers a portfolio of integrated programs organized around four core pillars: Health (HIV care, testing, harm reduction, PrEP navigation, mental health, substance use treatment, AcuDetox), Housing (Project: Elevate halfway house, Empowerment Apartments at Greyhound Park, Chrysalis Apartments, Mariposa House), Education (group classes, Project Bedtime Story, financial literacy), and Employment (WAGEES re-entry services, job readiness). The core offering is the WAGEES program combined with CHAPP Pathways to Wellness for health services, supported by housing facilities and various support groups. All services are designed for individuals primarily facing criminal justice involvement and/or homelessness, with a focus on cis and transgender women.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WAGEES (Work and Gain Education and Employment Skills) A re-entry services program providing case management, support services, housing, education, and employment assistance to individuals returning from incarceration who identify as female, trans, or non-binary.
• CHAPP Pathways to Wellness A comprehensive health empowerment program providing HIV testing, harm reduction, PrEP navigation, and STI testing services in a safe and supportive environment.
• HIV, HepC & STI Testing Free onsite testing services including rapid HIV testing, HCV testing, and Gonorrhea & Chlamydia testing through a Denver Health partnership.
• Group Classes Free support groups including Participant Voices Advisory Council, Budgeteers (financial literacy), Pathways to Success Job Readiness, No Perfect Lines (recovery art), Safe & Spicy (health education), SASS & Soul (haircare), Space to Stand (peer support), TREM (Trauma Recovery & Empowerment), and ZUMBA fitness.
• Harm Reduction Services Practical harm reduction strategies including Narcan distribution, sharps disposal, safer injection/smoking/snorting kits, wound care, dental dams, condoms, and lube.
• PrEP Navigation Pre-exposure prophylaxis navigation services helping individuals access PrEP medication with mail-order delivery via BOCA Pharmacy Group at discounted rates.
• HIV Treatment & Care Comprehensive HIV care management including care coordination, health system navigation, barrier removal, advocacy, medication adherence support, HIV education, and behavioral health services.
• AcuDetox (Ear Acupuncture) Auricular (ear) acupuncture therapy used to restore inner calm, reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and support recovery from trauma and substance dependency.
• Project: Elevate A collaborative halfway house program with the City and County of Denver, providing trauma-informed, gender-responsive residential services for up to 55 adult women with criminal justice involvement.
• Empowerment Apartments at Greyhound Park A 50-unit affordable housing development in Commerce City, CO with 25 units reserved for individuals enrolled in The Empowerment Program, offering on-site groups and classes.
• Chrysalis Apartments An affordable housing development project at 1777 Franklin Street in Denver's City Park West neighborhood designed to U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready standards, replacing 15 units with 70 units.
• Mariposa House Transitional housing opportunity offered through the WAGEES Program, designed as a stepping stone to self-sufficiency for program participants.
• Project Bedtime Story Program enabling incarcerated parents at Denver County Jail to record storybooks with personal messages for their children, helping maintain family connections and supporting child literacy and emotional well-being.
• Budgeteers Financial literacy program helping participants create spending plans, track income and expenses, and work toward self-sufficiency.
• Empowered Women for Nonviolence Monthly discussion group focused on safety awareness, mental health, self-care, physical well-being, and community education about nonviolence resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000 participants annually through health programming and outreach
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (LCCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder and partner in the WAGEES program. The coalition provides funding to community-based organizations that support re-entry populations.
• KenektminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLived experience peer support provider integrated into the WAGEES program to connect participants with peer support specialists who have similar lived experiences.
• Denver HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing through Denver Health's Healthy Community Program. Testing is done through urine or swab collection with results in 5-7 days.
• City and County of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Project: Elevate, a trauma-informed and gender responsive halfway house program for women with criminal justice involvement.
• BOCA Pharmacy GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMail order pharmacy partner for PrEP medication delivery at discounted rates in conjunction with insurance. Provides medication and essential items with prescriptions at no extra cost.
• Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide continuum of care and improve access to housing options. All housing referrals go through the OneHome VI-SPDAT system coordinated by MDHI.
• St. Francis CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner agency that can complete VI-SPDAT assessments for coordinated entry into housing. Located at 2323 Curtis St, Denver.
• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner agency that can complete VI-SPDAT assessments for coordinated entry into housing. Community Resources available first come, first served.
• Salvation Army Connection CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner agency that can complete VI-SPDAT assessments for coordinated entry. Provides resources for entire Metro Denver area with extended hours.
• Philo's KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing ready-to-heat frozen meals for residents at Empowerment Apartments. Creates meals from recovered perishable items and delivers directly to housing locations.
• Pinkard ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral contractor for Chrysalis Apartments development. Has completed 35 affordable housing communities totaling nearly 6,000 units across the Front Range.
• Radix DesignmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver-based architecture firm partner for Chrysalis Apartments. Dedicated to social benefit, sustainability, and has partnered with The Empowerment Program since 2021.
• Denver Mayor Mike JohnstonminorOthersCity leadership partner advocating for affordable housing and participated in Chrysalis Apartments groundbreaking ceremony.
• Over the Rainbow ProjectminorOthersCommunity partner listed on WAGEES program page.
• DelwestmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Empowerment Apartments at Greyhound Park project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: Denver-area nonprofit providing housing, health services, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. Listed as an Empowerment Program partner through the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative and VI-SPDAT coordinated entry, operating an overlapping model in the same geography.
• WellPower (formerly Mental Health Center of Denver): Denver's largest community mental health provider, offering outpatient behavioral health, substance use treatment, and housing programs. Comparable because it delivers licensed mental health and SUD services alongside housing supports in the same metro.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National re-entry employment-services nonprofit providing immediate paid transitional work, coaching, and retention support to people returning from incarceration. Comparable to the WAGEES employment-education component and gender-responsive, lived-experience staffing model.
• Delancey Street Foundation: Residential re-entry program offering training, education, housing, and vocational services inside a self-sustaining residential community. Comparable model to Project: Elevate halfway house and Mariposa House transitional housing, with similar self-help philosophy.
• The Fortune Society: NYC-based nonprofit providing re-entry housing, employment, education, and behavioral-health services for people with justice involvement. Mirrors Empowerment Program's integrated wraparound model for criminal-legal-system-involved populations.
• Women's Prison Association: NYC-based gender-responsive, trauma-informed nonprofit delivering re-entry housing, case management, and family services for women and LGBTQ people impacted by incarceration. Highly comparable niche to Empowerment Program's cis/trans women re-entry focus.
• Harm Reduction Coalition / National Harm Reduction Coalition: National advocacy and capacity-building organization supporting syringe access, naloxone, and harm-reduction services. Directly comparable in mission to Empowerment Program's harm-reduction line of business (Narcan, safer use kits, wound care, sharps disposal).
• Volunteers of America Colorado: Colorado branch of national nonprofit providing behavioral health, housing, and re-entry services across the state, including supportive housing for justice-involved individuals. Comparable wraparound services and Denver service area.

Regional players

• Mile High United Way: Denver-based funder and convener that distributes donations and government funds to social-services nonprofits in the Denver metro, including re-entry and homelessness programs. Adjacent ecosystem player that could be a comparable nonprofit partner or programmatic alternative.

Broad incumbents

• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Large HIV-services nonprofit operating testing, prevention (PrEP/PEP), harm reduction, and care navigation across the Bay Area. Comparable to CHAPP Pathways to Wellness and HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and harm-reduction offerings though at much larger scale and different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EmpowermentProgram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empowerment-program

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Empowerment Program