Our Founder’s Story
Just nine years old and reeling from the death of her mother, Cara Belvin was desperate to meet another girl who could relate to her loss.
Founder Cara Belvin was nine years old when her mother Kit died of breast cancer. Cara founded Empower (formerly empowerHER®) in 2013 out of the gratitude she had for all the layers of support her family received growing up. Empower was formed around her dining room table as a grassroots movement and word quickly spread about her work. Thousands of inquiries came in from people who wished for an organization like Empower when they were growing up. Today, Empower is an international nonprofit with thousands of volunteers from across the globe.
Cara works with these Ambassadors to bring Empower’s life changing programs to more children and young adults affected by parent loss.
I envisioned an organization that would allow us to talk about the loss of a parent in our community and ways to offer help to the family that would not be intrusive.
Cara Belvin, Empower Founder
Cara holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. She began her career as a School Psychologist working with children with disabilities before transitioning her career into nonprofit management and fundraising. Cara frequently speaks on issues surrounding adversity, women’s empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. Cara’s efforts have been featured on CNN, The Today Show, ABC, PBS NewsHour with Judy Woodruff, and more.
Cara lives in a quaint coastal town outside Boston with her loving husband Shane, two beautiful children Murphy + Ava and their sweet dog Holly and travels the globe spreading awareness for Empower.
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