Mid-Atlantic Area

Mid-Atlantic (DMV)

Empower proudly serves the following areas in the Mid-Atlantic Region:

Maryland: Montgomery, Prince George, Howard, and Baltimore Counties

Washington, D.C.

Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties

PROGRAMS OFFERED

We provide children, teens, and young adults relief from grief and guide them through life following the loss of a parent. Our support comes in two forms: Events and Mentorship.

We host big events and small get togethers to remind children they are not alone, and we offer a unique Mentor program where we pair children, teens and young adults with positive role models who have also experienced parent loss.

We are a support system providing community and connection. We’ve been there, we get it, and we can help make the journey more manageable.

Our programs, by design, are gender-specific. Below, we will outline our specific service offerings for each of our groups. In the DMV area, our programs are based on enrollment and volunteer availability.

Girls + Young Women/Non-Binary Youth of Mother Loss

We are actively accepting applications for Mentors who have experienced the loss of a mother.

If you’re a family interested in our programs, enrollment is open! Our local Program Coordinator is eager to connect with you and share more about our Mentor Program and Year-Round Events.

Boys + Young Men/Non-Binary Youth of Mother Loss

We are currently accepting applications for Mentors who have experienced the loss of a mother.

We are expanding our programs in your area and will be launching our Mentor Program and events soon. Contact Ali Thomas at: ali@weareempower.org to learn more!

Girls + Young Women/Non-Binary Youth of Father Loss

We are currently accepting applications for Mentors who have experienced the loss of a father.

If you are a family in need of support, we would be honored to meet with you to share more about our program offerings. While we are still growing in your area, please note that our offerings may be more limited, but they are still available.

Boys + Young Men/Non-Binary Youth of Father Loss

We are currently accepting applications for Mentors who have experienced the loss of a father.

We are expanding our programs in your area and will be launching our Mentor Program and events soon. Contact Ali Thomas at: ali@weareempower.org to learn more!

EVENT INFORMATION

We hold year-round events in the DMV for children and young adults who have lost a parent. Hosted by local Mentors and volunteers through the software, Meetup, these get togethers help Empower members connect and build community. Currently, we offer events for girls, young women, and non-binary youth affected by mother and father loss, with plans to expand to boys and young men in the future.

Volunteer for Events Join our Meetup Group!

YOUR PROGRAM STAFF

Joy Yosua

Program Coordinator, Mother Loss

Joy lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with her husband, 2 kids, and their Mini- Dachshund. She is a fitness enthusiast who loves to explore the outdoors, read, and travel. She has a personal connection to our mission of supporting children who have lost a parent. Joy lost her mom, Linda, to brain cancer when she was just three years old, and this experience has shaped her understanding of grief, community, and resilience. Her passion for Empower stems from her desire to provide support to young people navigating similar challenges. She believes that mentorship can create a sense of hope and belonging, reminding children and young adults they are not alone in their grief. It is her privilege to contribute to a program that empowers these kids and young adults while building meaningful connections and community.

Joy can be contacted via email at: joy@weareempower.org

Ali Thomas

Mentor Program Manager

Ali Thomas is a dynamic leader and manager of all field coordinators across the globe. Ali is a longtime friend of founder Cara Belvin and experienced the loss of her mother Doreen to cancer when she was 17 years old. Ali joined Empower’s efforts as a volunteer in 2020 and later joined Empower as the Mentor Program Manager. Ali’s passion is unwavering and was a driving force in the Empower expansion to serve all children of any parent loss.

Ali attended Eastern Connecticut State University and spent over 20 years building and developing teams in the public and private sector and worked with various leadership groups at the University of Oklahoma.

Ali can be contacted via email at: ali@weareempower.org.

Alexa Getchell

Program Coordinator, Father Loss

Alexa grew up in Franklin, a town just outside of Boston and now lives in Scituate, MA with her husband Andrew, daughters Emilia (3), Sadie (1), and their mini bernedoodle, Teddi. She has been apart of Empower as the Program Coordinator for girls of father loss and has been honored to have been here since Empower expanded to serve all children of parent loss. She does this work in loving memory of her dad, Eric whom she lost when she was 13 years old. She misses him every day but is grateful for this organization that is giving youth a safe space in their grief.

She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2013 and worked as a pediatric nurse for 10 years. She recently started working as a nurse at the Dana Farber/BWH Breast Cancer Center and also started her own luxury organizing business called Sorted Interiors with her incredible friend. Alexa wrote a children’s book, My Hot Air Balloon Ride, to continue her efforts in helping children in their grief. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, reading and snowboarding.

Alexa can be contacted via email at: alexa@weareempower.org

Nicci Scimone

Program Coordinator, Father Loss

Nicci was born and raised in Walpole, MA and graduated from Assumption College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies. After many years working various jobs in the corporate world, she followed her passion and became a Certified Grief Coach. She also works with a non-profit serving the adolescent and young adult cancer community.

When Nicci was 24 her dad passed away from graft-versus-host disease, a complication following a stem cell transplant for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. After being so heavily impacted by her loss, she knew one day she would turn this pain into her purpose. Her desire to help and support others through grief led her to Empower in 2023 where she became a Mentor and now, a Program Coordinator for Girls of Fatherloss. She feels very grateful to have found an organization that shares the same mission and values as her own.

Nicci and her husband Dan live in Wrentham, MA with their two children, Danny (4) and Siena (1.5). She and her family love to stay active outdoors, go to the beach, and enjoy making delicious home cooked meals together!

Nicci can be contacted via email at: nicci@weareempower.org

Emily Seneca

Mentor Program Administrative Assistant

Emily Seneca lost her beautiful Mom to cancer at the age of 9, just two weeks before she turned 10, and she truly understands the profound impact of grief. She is passionate about Empower and its dedication to fostering a sense of community with youth and volunteers who have experienced the loss of their parent(s) and showing others that they are not alone in this journey. This kind of support is something she so wished she had at a young age, as she didn’t meet another woman who had also lost their mom until later in life. She is local to Champaign, Illinois, living with her husband and their two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, bike riding, crafting, and songwriting.

If you have any questions about your Mentor Application or screening materials, Emily can be contacted via email at: eseneca@weareempower.org.