We Rise presents, EmpowHER

Community Rallies to Strengthen We Rise Through the EmpowHER Campaign

Throughout the month of August, Centerboard's We Rise EmpowHER Campaign brought the community together around a shared mission: ensuring young people impacted by or at risk of commercial sexual exploitation continue to receive the support, advocacy, and resources they deserve.

The campaign highlighted both the urgent need for We Rise services and the incredible resilience of the youth the program serves. By sharing stories of hope, education, and empowerment, the initiative encouraged the community to stand alongside survivors and invest in a future where every young person has the opportunity to heal and thrive.

This year's campaign came at a critical time. Significant federal funding cuts placed We Rise at risk of losing $300,000, threatening services that hundreds of youth and young adults across Essex County rely on each year. Rather than allowing those challenges to define the future of the program, Centerboard launched the EmpowHER Campaign to rally community support and protect these essential services.

To inspire giving, a generous anonymous donor pledged a $25,000 matching gift, challenging the community to raise $50,000 throughout August. Every contribution helped ensure that We Rise could continue providing trauma-informed mentorship, advocacy, education, prevention programming, and individualized support for youth navigating exploitation and abuse.

The campaign also celebrated the remarkable impact We Rise has made throughout the year. The MBTA EmpowHER bus advertising campaign expanded awareness across the region, encouraging important conversations about commercial sexual exploitation and connecting more young people with available resources. The annual EmpowHER Night brought survivors, advocates, and community members together to share powerful stories of resilience, healing, and hope, while reinforcing that no one has to face exploitation alone.

Building on that momentum, Centerboard's earlier Rise to the Match campaign demonstrated the extraordinary generosity of the community, raising more than $92,000 to help offset funding losses and ensure services continued uninterrupted.

Together, these efforts reflect the heart of We Rise's mission: to connect, educate, and empower youth while reminding every participant that they have a voice, a choice, and a community that believes in them.

Centerboard extends its heartfelt gratitude to every donor, advocate, partner, volunteer, and supporter who contributed to the success of the EmpowHER Campaign. Your generosity helps ensure that We Rise remains a safe, welcoming space where young people can find stability, healing, and hope.

Because of your support, We Rise continues to do more than respond to crisis—it empowers young people to reclaim their futures, build confidence, and discover the strength to rise above adversity.

Coverage of the campaign was featured at Lynn Community Television.