The Empowerment Network, Inc.

A nonprofit organization

$1,350 raised by 12 donors

27% complete

$5,000 Goal

Members of the TEN Community Outreach Team at an informational event

THE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK INC. (TEN) CELEBRATE 15-YEAR "CRYSTAL ANNIVERSARY" IN 2023

Saving Lives, Restoring Hope

In 2008, two prostate cancer survivors searching for fellowship and information in their prostate cancer journey established The Empowerment Network, Inc. (TEN)

TEN celebrated 15 years of "survivorship" in 2023. We have grown to nearly 600 members in our database. We provide a monthly Support Group meeting for survivors averaging 45 attendees, monthly outreach events staffed by our Speakers' Bureau with free PSA testing for men in the community, and our annual gala, walk, and activities in September-National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we receive referrals from area physicians who feel their patients could benefit from our services. 

Before surgery, our Prayer Team meets them at the hospital the morning of surgery to pray and present our After-Surgery kit that contains personal and hygiene items needed for the first days of recuperation at home. In 2018, we expanded our After Surgery kit to include a robe and house shoes for the survivor. In 2019, we did the same for the caregiver. Most importantly, we have established a mental health counseling program for individual men, group sessions, and couples who are experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal, or intimacy issues.

A major component of our program is the provision of free PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests to men in the community. We partner with local FQHC's (federally qualified health centers), hospitals, and universities when we attend community outreach programs at city halls, churches, schools, and neighborhood fairs.

In 2020, due to moving our meetings, contact and communications to a virtual platform due to COVID-19, we established a program where we provided iPads to our members who did not have devices to remain in touch with TEN. These devices allowed the team to access our ZOOM events, stay in touch with their medical professionals and pharmacies through telehealth portals, and learn a new technological skill!

In 2021, because of limitations and restrictions due to the pandemic, we substituted our face-to-face outreach events where we provided PSA testing and prostate cancer information for a radio commercial campaign to broadcast the importance of PSA testing and total body health for men. We contracted with 96.3 FM and were able to reach their 126000 daily listeners with this information on their 24/7 broadcast and digital platforms for the 30 days of September. As a result, one of our local hospital partners reported that there was a 400% increase in PSA testing at their facilities.

We also implemented our Bell of Hope program in 2021. We purchased brass handbells for presentation to our members who have survived one year and or a treatment regimen. the bell is engraved with the cancer ribbon, our name and logo, and the phrase " I Survived".

In the past 15 years, TEN has reached more than 150,000 men and their families and provided nearly 12,000 free PSA tests through our 1,200 outreach events. We have received countless physician and self-referrals and presented 510 After Surgery kits.

The Empowerment Network, Inc. was founded by 17-year prostate cancer survivor Mellve Shahid Sr.

PROSTATE CANCER IS TREATABLE IF DETECTED EARLY. ANNUAL TESTING IS RECOMMENDED FOR MEN STARTING AT AGE 45. "GET TESTED AND FOLLOW UP."


Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

The Empowerment Network, Inc.

Tax id (EIN)

38-3778191

Address

6000 W. Florissant Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63136-4930

Phone

314-385-0998