The Clearwater nonprofit used funding from the American Rescue Plan Act Nonprofit Capital Project Fund to purchase 40 laptops equipped with cameras and Microsoft 365 software, plus four printers. The equipment was split evenly between EmpowHERment's Clearwater and Palm Harbor locations, giving about 20 laptops and two printers to each site, according to a Pinellas Community Foundation report published Tuesday.

The grant came through the $19 million ARPA fund administered by Pinellas Community Foundation in partnership with Pinellas County government. That fund, now closed, prioritized nonprofits whose leadership and clients come from underrepresented communities.

Founder turned grief into a 700-woman network

Ambreetta "Ambee" Stephens founded EmpowHERment in 2018 as a Facebook group after losing her father to suicide. "I couldn't help my dad and I couldn't save him, like I wanted to," Stephens said in a January 2021 Tampa Bay Business & Wealth profile. "I realized that I had friends who were going through similar situations."

The online group grew into face-to-face meetups at coffee shops and restaurants, then into a formal 501(c)(3) organization in 2020. The network now includes 700 women across the Tampa Bay area who gather monthly to discuss goals, self-care and healthy relationships, according to the Pinellas Community Foundation.

Stephens, who holds a master's in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida, serves as CEO.

New computers close a longtime technology gap

Before the grant, EmpowHERment's Financial Wellness Program relied on donated laptops that were outdated and unreliable. For the roughly 70% of members who come from underserved communities, malfunctioning equipment added another barrier to training meant to build economic self-sufficiency.

With the new computers, members can now complete coursework remotely, access online certification programs, pursue remote work and launch freelance businesses. Staff no longer spend time troubleshooting broken machines, the foundation reported.

Stephens said in the foundation report that the technology upgrade connects to a broader shift she has observed in her members: "As women obtain self-sufficiency in finances, mental and emotional wellness, and cultivate good relationships, their self-esteem, character and leadership improve."

EmpowHERment also runs the EntrepreneurHER Academy, an eight-week program for women launching businesses that awards each participant a $500 grant. The organization reported approximately $407,000 in total revenue for fiscal year 2024, according to IRS records.

How to connect

EmpowHERment Community Center's Clearwater location is at 13555 Automobile Blvd., Suite 300, Clearwater, FL 33762. Residents can reach the organization at 727-290-9856 or [email protected].