Empowerment Center

What Empowerment Center does

The Empowerment Center (TEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by Tiffany Baker in Temecula, California, operating in the youth and family services, mental health workforce development, and supportive housing verticals. The organization's portfolio centers on three core program lines: the Mental Health Community Health Worker (CHW) Academy — a 12-week virtual certification program delivered via Canvas LMS and Zoom that has graduated four cohorts and deployed 150+ CHWs statewide since its 2024 launch; the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA), a strengths-based youth development curriculum for middle and high school students; and Workforce Housing operated in partnership with Lighthouse Home Foundation, providing faith-based sober-living accommodations with wraparound services. Adjacent offerings include Mental Health Mondays (small-group clinical support), the Resilient Workforce Career Readiness Program for California registered apprentices, the Social and Emotional Institute and Family University for families, Multi-Sector Roundtable convenings, and a Gallup StrengthsFinder retail assessment product ($29.99/unit).

The organization is funded primarily through California state and municipal grants — most prominently a $1.95 million California Workforce Development Board High Road Training Partnership grant (2024), the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) Grant from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards, and the City of Temecula Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) — supplemented by philanthropic support from Jobs for the Future, individual and corporate donations (including a Costco workplace giving campaign), and small-dollar product sales. Distribution is hybrid: virtual training at national reach, contracted school district and charter academy delivery (TVUSD, Pacific Coast Academy, Mission Vista Academy, Cabrillo Point Academy) at enterprise scale, and government-funded programming for specified populations (youth 16–24, foster youth, single moms, BIPOC, reentry, housing-insecure, disaster-affected). As of the most recent reporting, TEC serves across California (Riverside County, San Diego County, Inland Empire, Temecula, San Bernardino) and reports having reached 11,742 youth and families with 80% of youth reporting increased hope/self-confidence.

Name

Empowerment Center

Legal name

The Empowerment Center

Website

https://theempowermentcenterintl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Empowerment Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that runs a 12-week virtual Mental Health Community Health Worker Academy, Youth Leadership Academy, and faith-based Workforce Housing for at-risk youth, foster youth, single parents, and BIPOC communities across California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Workforce Development

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE)

Keywords

• Community health worker training
• Youth leadership programs
• Workforce housing services
• Mental health workforce
• Family resilience programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Temecula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Primary revenue stream from government grants including California Workforce Development Board High Road Training Partnership, California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) Grant, and City of Temecula Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding
2. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation support from Jobs for the Future, and workplace giving campaigns such as Costco's Giving Campaign
3. Product Sales: Sale of Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment codes at $29.99 per unit, with proceeds supporting Youth Leadership Academy programs
4. Program Sponsorships: Corporate matching, in-kind services, and charitable donations for sponsored programming

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Empowerment Center (TEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a 12-week Mental Health Community Health Worker (CHW) Academy and a Youth Leadership Academy, alongside workforce housing and supportive wraparound services for at-risk youth, single parents, foster youth, and families across California. It also sells related digital tools (e.g., StrengthsFinder access codes) and offers paid consulting, speaking, and training engagements to government agencies, school districts, and community organizations nationally.

Product overview

The Empowerment Center operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization offering a integrated service portfolio centered on youth empowerment, workforce development, and mental health services. The core offerings include the Mental Health CHW Academy (12-week certification program) and the Youth Leadership Academy, supported by wraparound services such as Workforce Housing, Mental Health Mondays, and the Resilient Workforce Career Readiness Program. Additional offerings include the StrengthsFinders Assessment product, Social and Emotional Institute for families, Multi-Sector Roundtable convenings, and professional speaking/training services. Programs are delivered virtually via Canvas LMS and Zoom, with satellite offices in Temecula and San Bernardino, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Leadership Academy (YLA): Comprehensive approach to building resiliency in youth through life skills development, including Strengths Discovery, Financial Literacy, Character Development, and Performing Arts programs
• CHW Academy
• Workforce Housing
• Social and Emotional Institute
• Family University
• Strengths Discovery Program

Products and services

• Mental Health CHW Academy A 12-week training program that prepares participants for careers as Mental Health Community Health Workers, delivered virtually with live sessions, pre-work, and field practice. Designed for aspiring mental health workers, including those with lived experience.
• Youth Leadership Academy After-school and enrichment program serving K-12 youth with leadership development, mentorship, and supportive services. Targeted at at-risk youth, foster youth, and families in California.
• Workforce Housing Wraparound housing and supportive services for at-risk youth, single parents, foster youth, and families participating in TEC programs.
• Consulting, Speaking, and Training Engagements Paid professional services for governments, school districts, and community organizations covering mental health workforce strategy, lived-experience inclusion, and program design.
• StrengthsFinder Access Code Gallup StrengthsFinder code sold as a digital product for $29.99 to support career and leadership development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,742 youth and families have accessed mental health resources and wellness supports
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Lighthouse Home FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501c3 nonprofit housing program partner providing safe, supportive housing for youth and workforce participants; EIN 92-2240289; co-located at 27262 Via Industria Temecula
• Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership providing mental health and resilience programming for students and families; hosts Family University and Student Assistance Program
• Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange (TVE2)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides physical location for in-person Mental Health Mondays classes at 43200 Business Park Drive 2nd Floor Temecula, CA 92590
• California Community Colleges Chancellor's OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVision 2030 initiative partner creating equitable access for students to gain skills in healthcare and workforce development; featured in Center of Success story
• Oak Grove CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Tammy Wilson recognizes TEC and Tiffany Baker for transforming lives of foster youth through character development programming
• Mt. San Jacinto Community CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHW Academy alumni Autumn Hess attends college here pursuing Sociology degree; pathway demonstrating career advancement outcomes

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Jobs for the Future: National nonprofit workforce intermediary and TEC's philanthropic partner; relevant as a comparable ecosystem player driving workforce development policy and practice, though it operates as a funder/intermediary rather than direct service provider.

Direct peers

• National 4-H Council: National youth development organization delivering leadership, life skills, and character-building programming; aligns with TEC's Youth Leadership Academy strengths discovery, character development, and resilience offerings.
• Homeboy Industries: Largest gang intervention and reentry nonprofit offering workforce development, mental health, and wraparound services to formerly incarcerated and at-risk individuals; directly comparable to TEC's at-risk youth and reentry population focus.
• MHP Salud: National nonprofit that implements, promotes, and sustains Community Health Worker programs serving underserved communities; directly comparable to TEC's CHW Academy model for training and deploying mental health CHWs.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Largest national youth development nonprofit serving at-risk youth through after-school programming, mentoring, and resilience-building; directly comparable to TEC's Youth Leadership Academy and social-emotional learning offerings.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National nonprofit operating youth mentoring and empowerment programs for at-risk youth, closely aligned with TEC's Youth Leadership Academy mission of building resilience and life skills in adolescents through one-on-one and group mentorship.
• Covenant House: National nonprofit providing housing and wraparound services for youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking; directly comparable to TEC's Workforce Housing program serving single parents, apprentices, and foster youth.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: National youth and family services organization offering youth development, family strengthening, and wellness programs; broader incumbent with overlapping youth resilience and family wellness programming.
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing: National membership and advocacy organization focused on mental health workforce, training, and policy; comparable as a broader incumbent that supports the CHW and behavioral health workforce categories TEC serves.
• Mental Health America: Largest national nonprofit addressing mental health needs through advocacy, education, and direct service; broader incumbent aligned with TEC's mental health workforce development and youth mental wellness mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theempowermentcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Empowerment Center