named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Pre-Vocational (CPV) Program
Offers paid job training at bottle redemption centers and a mall-based cart to develop work readiness skills such as customer service, money handling, and teamwork.
Day Habilitation
Offers three levels of day programming based on participant needs and pace, including site-based, integrated on-site, and community-based activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Employment Training Program (ETP)
Provides paid internships, job coaching, and job readiness classes to help individuals with developmental disabilities gain skills and transition to community employment.
Empower Children’s Academy
Early childhood program serving children ages 3–5 with and without disabilities, offering preschool special education and Pre-K programs, on-site therapies, and kindergarten readiness curriculum approved by NYSED.
Geri Rose Garden Apartments
Eleven-unit accessible housing complex in the Town of Niagara for people with disabilities, funded by HUD with rent and utilities subsidized.
Job Placement/Supported Employment (SEMP)
Assists youth and adults with disabilities to obtain and maintain community-based employment through job placement and ongoing support services.
Residential Services
Provides certified housing including Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs) and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), as well as community and in-home respite, community habilitation, and home modifications for individuals with developmental disabilities in Niagara County.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
- Community habilitation and independent living skills trainingOffers one-to-one community habilitation services to help individuals with developmental disabilities develop independent living skills, including grocery shopping, personal finance management, and use of public transportation.
- Residential services and supported housing for individuals with developmental disabilitiesOperates 11 certified residential sites across Niagara County, including IRAs and ICFs, and an 11-unit fully accessible housing facility in the Town of Niagara. Provides residential support enabling individuals to live with family, independently, or in agency-supported homes.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
- Job training, employment support, and pre-employment transition servicesProvides pre-vocational training, job readiness classes, and paid job training through bottle and can redemption centers and on-site job opportunities. Offers Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for youth and adults with disabilities, focusing on work skills development.
- Supported employment and job placement servicesProvides job placement, career planning, and on-the-job coaching for individuals with developmental disabilities. Offers paid internships and job coaching to support integration and retention in employment settings, serving both youth and adults with recognized disabilities.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Advocacy for funding and services within the OPWDD systemEngages in advocacy to secure state and federal funding and services for individuals with developmental disabilities through leadership roles in the OPWDD system and leveraging relationships with government and community stakeholders.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
- Capacity building through strategic planning and organizational developmentStrengthens organizational capacity by purchasing new facilities, hiring key leadership staff, and updating strategic plans. Includes internal leadership development, such as advancement into HR leadership roles.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Community and day habilitation programs for individuals with developmental disabilitiesProvides day habilitation services including on-site and community-based activities, volunteer work, social and recreational outings, and integrated programming. Offers specialized site-based programs for individuals requiring medical support, with staff trained to administer medications and G-tube feeds. Programs are offered at varying paces, including medium-paced and community-intensive models.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Early childhood education and inclusive preschool programsProvides high-quality preschool programming for children ages 3–5, including special classes and integrated classrooms for children with and without disabilities. Offers full-day Pre-K Monday through Friday from September to June, with a six-week summer session. Includes evaluations and specialized educational services.
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Home Accessibility Modifications 1 activity
- Home and environmental modifications for individuals with disabilitiesProvides home modifications such as ramps, lifts, handrails, and bathroom adaptations to improve accessibility and support independent living for people with disabilities.
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Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Respite services for families of individuals with developmental disabilitiesProvides in-home and weekend respite services to support family caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities, offering temporary relief through trained staff support in home and community settings.
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Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
- Therapeutic and developmental support services for preschool-aged childrenDelivers on-site physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and counseling services for preschool-aged children, integrated within early childhood programming.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$88
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$88
expenses
Total expenses$9K
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead100%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.12M
Cash$41K
Investments$1.08M
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.12M
Liquid reserves1472.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -52.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE BAEHRE | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | $131K |
| PATRICK COSGROVE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 1 | $92K |
board members · 4
- CHARLES DIETEMEN — MEMBER
- DONALD NAPOLEON — PRESIDENT
- ERIC MCGUIRE — MEMBER
- ROBERT O'LEARY — MEMBER
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Adult Career and Continuing Education Services Government — Certifies Empower's Supported Employment program and serves as a referral source.
- Buffalo Collegiate Charter School Partner — Rebecca Rush previously served as Director of Special Education at Buffalo Collegiate Charter School.
- CP State Partner — Collaborated with CP State affiliates during prior leadership roles in the OPWDD system.
- NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Primary funder and eligibility gatekeeper for multiple Empower residential and respite programs.
- NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Government — Collaborates with OPWDD to deliver the Employment Training Program.
- New York State Education Department Government — Approves the curriculum used in the Pre-K program.
- New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Certifies Empower's Supported Employment program.
- Niagara Chamber of Commerce Partner — Kory Schuler previously led the Niagara Chamber of Commerce and now advocates for Empower’s funding at federal and state levels.
- Niagara County Office of Mental Health Government — Certifies Empower's Supported Employment program.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Funder — Funds the Geri Rose Garden Apartments, an accessible housing project for people with disabilities.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Government — Primary funder of the Geri Rose Garden Apartments.
- University at Buffalo Partner — Leah Bartlo earned her PhD at the University at Buffalo and serves as a Research Fellow at its Community Health Equity Research Institute.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Inclusion Model in Early Educationmethodology: integrated_inclusion_modelBy placing children with and without disabilities in shared classrooms, the organization promotes socialization, communication development, and mutual understanding, because inclusive environments from an early age foster belonging and improve developmental outcomes for all children.
- Person-Centered Planning for Self-Determinationmethodology: person-centered-planningBy using person-centered planning, the organization supports individuals with developmental disabilities to make personal choices and pursue self-defined goals, because autonomy and individual agency are foundational to dignity, growth, and successful community integration.
- Skills Development and Supported Employment Pathwaymethodology: supported_employmentBy combining pre-vocational training, paid internships, and individualized job coaching, the organization builds work readiness and supports long-term job retention, because sustained, context-specific skill development and on-the-job support enable meaningful employment and independence for individuals with developmental disabilities.