The Empower your Future program was developed to teach underprivileged students that they are unlimited and can reach their goals through endurance perseverance and education.  The program encourages students to take charge of their future and to know their dreams are obtainable.   

Retired Dallas Police Officer Joe Chatham started the program in the fall of 2000 after leading a SWAT team drug raid at a home in front of a south Dallas elementary school and witnessed the students viewing the police officers as the ‘bad guys’.  Joe wanted to turn this situation around and have the police officers be the ‘good guys’ through a different kind of interaction with the students by serving as role models of people who come from their own community.    Joe had the support of a number of personal friends from all walks of life who believed in his vision and offered their support.   Over the years the non compensated speakers included ex-NFL stars, local celebrities, and community leaders, police and fire chiefs, and judges.  

The program also included guest speakers from the business, arts, and athletics communities to broaden the student’s perspectives giving them a well rounded view of possibilities for channeling their own individual talents.  The program has been extremely well received publicly and has been featured in the Dallas Morning News, and on local TV channels.  Schools are constantly clamoring for this program which is provided free of charge and we have to turn down most requests for the program.   This program would continue even if we did not have the support of our sponsors as there is a pressing need for programs of this kind in all communities.   

“He who refreshes others shall himself be refreshed.”

-Proverbs 11:25