Joelle Lever

As a team member of Empower & Shine, I get a front-row seat to the quiet ways generosity changes lives. Patty and Steve are the heart behind Empower & Shine—steadfast angels who lead with humility, love, and a deep belief in people. The reach of their kindness is wider than you could ever imagine —and Edgar’s story is a beautiful example. At 19, after watching his father work in landscaping for 25 years, Edgar was offered the opportunity to take over 10 landscaping accounts in the North...

Celebrating 700 graduates from Street Business School At Empower & Shine, we believe that true change begins when one heart reaches out to lift another. Every act of generosity—big or small—creates waves of hope that stretch far beyond what the eye can see. This past year, we’ve witnessed incredible transformation across Uganda—700 graduates completing their journey with Street Business School in Buliisa, and the joyful opening of the new God’s Will Preschool in Mubako. Each of these...

Last month, we traveled to Nakigalala, Uganda, for a moment we’ll never forget—the unveiling of the Field of Dreams at Shalom Junior Trust School. The celebration was pure magic. The students and school leaders came together for an afternoon of heartfelt performances—singing, dancing, and sharing their gratitude in the most beautiful ways. Their energy filled the air with pride and excitement as they officially opened their new field—a space where dreams can now take flight through play,...