When COVID-19 shut down international travel, it didn't just pause mission trips for Haiti Empowered. It severed a vital pipeline that had sustained the organization's work for years. Now, with mission trips still stalled and a budget gap threatening to close schools, the nonprofit is hitting the road to tell its story across the country.
For more than 2,500 children in Haiti, a school is far more than a place to learn. It's where they eat, receive healthcare, and find safety. But last year, one of those schools nearly closed when Haiti Empowered fell behind budget. The organization turned to Creative Studio Productions, an Eagan-based creative agency, to build a campaign called Adopt a Box. The campaign, custom-coded and integrated with Haiti Empowered's CRM, allowed supporters to donate at levels from $25 to $1,000. In thirty days, it raised $42,000, surpassing its $40,000 goal and keeping the school open.
Now the gap is back—and larger. Rising costs for food, fuel, medical supplies, transportation, and wages have left Haiti Empowered feeding children on credit. It needs $150,000 just to cover what inflation has added this year. The reason is clear: child sponsorship, once 75 percent of income, has dropped to 47 percent as mission trips remain halted. "Fewer new people are meeting the mission, and every meal costs more to serve," said Kay Larson, president of Haiti Empowered.
So Larson is bringing Haiti's story to the people. She is currently on The Empowered Road, a cross-country journey to share the mission in person and introduce a new generation of supporters to the children who depend on them. The tour aims to connect with churches, businesses, foundations, and community groups. Those interested can request a meeting or gathering through the organization's website at haitiempowered.org.
The stakes are high. More than half of Haiti's population faces acute hunger, with over 1.8 million in the emergency phase. An estimated 253,725 young children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming year, and one in seven Haitian children is already out of school. For Haiti Empowered, every introduction can become a relationship that sustains this work for years.
For businesses and organizations in Long Beach and beyond, the tour offers a chance to make a tangible difference. By opening a door—whether through an email introduction or a meeting—companies can help ensure that thousands of children continue to receive meals, education, and care. The organization's efforts underscore the critical role of private support in regions where government systems are overwhelmed.
As Larson puts it, "Thirty days once saved a school. This time, it will take a whole community." To learn more about The Empowered Road and how to support Haiti Empowered, visit this image or the organization's website.
