Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc.

Cause Area

  • Advocacy & Human Rights
  • Community
  • Education & Literacy
  • Homeless & Housing
  • LGBTQ+

Location

3535 Lebon Drive, Suite 5211San Diego, CA 92122 United States
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Organization Information

Mission Statement

Through service-oriented activities designed to foster non-confrontational dialogue with our non-LGBT neighbors, the Empowering Spirits Foundation strives to dispel the negative stereotypes of the LGBT community and realize a society that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Description

The Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc. (ESF), a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, is a non-partisan civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality through community service activities. Since its inception ESF has been taking the struggle for LGBT equality into the next era by fostering non-confrontational dialogue with individuals and institutions that may have not previously supported LGBT populations. Instead of attempting to change laws ESF strives to change the hearts and minds of those who are generally ignored by existing LGBT organizations.

ESF's programs are designed to encourage dialogue between the LGBT community and its non-LGBT neighbors while promoting open, non-disenfranchising communication so that others may come to see similarities rather than differences, in all human beings. Research has shown that increased exposure to LGBT individuals results in significantly warmer attitudes towards the population as a whole. When people see that LGBT individuals are not very different from themselves, the old, unfounded, and inaccurate stereotypes are shattered. By bringing together the two groups of people, ESF helps to create the interactions that dispel the stereotypes.

ESF programs include neighborhood revitalization, housing builds, canned food drives, and environmental cleanup; all worthwhile causes which create not only an additional positive impact on the greater community, but allow for both sides to work together in a positive environment. The programs take place in underserved areas or those conservative in nature as these are the very people we are attempting to influence.

Furthermore, ESF collaborates with other coalitions, empowering individuals and organizations to engage in the political process for equality through educational endeavors. ESF also serves as a resource to members of the LGBT community and their supporters through a vast network of individuals on Facebook, Twitter, and via an email distribution list.

Anyone interested in volunteering may contact the number above, email events@empoweringspirits.org, or visit www.empoweringspirits.org. Events are also listed on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/empoweringspirits.

Reviews

Would you recommend Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc.?
4 reviews Write a review
by Christopher M. (2010-10-29 08:39:18.0)
I heard A. Latham Staples speak in New York City. What a powerful message! The approach of Empowering Spirits is amazing, the video shown was truly inspirational. I can't wait to attend the next event in NY.
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by Roger E. (2010-03-20 21:05:02.0)
My friend introduced me to Empowering Spirits in San Francisco. He told me it was a different type of gay rights organization that attempted to change the minds of non-gays. I was skeptical but went with him. I have to admit that I was blown away. I showed up and there were roughly 100 Empowering Spirits volunteers. A local church was there as well with about 50 volunteers. We broke off into a bunch of groups and did various neighborhood restoration projects from planting trees, to cleaning up a park and painting an out-building at a school. It was a lot of fun, but it was also really cool to work alongside the church members. They started to ask questions about being gay and most started to open up. It was great to see their mindsets change. What a great concept to dispel stereotypes Empowering Spirits!
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by Laura G. (2010-02-03 23:08:31.0)
My son is gay and I've witnessed the discrimination he's faced. He introduced me to the Empowering Spirits Foundation in October, and I've volunteered with ESF four times since. It's a great organization that is pushing for change in such a positive way. And at each event I don't think one non-LGBT person felt that we were forcing our viewpoint on them, and many seemed open to conversing with the LGBT volunteers. Great concept and approach that I feel will go far and truly influence many!
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by Casey A. (2010-01-27 11:05:35.0)
Great organization! The Empowering Spirits Foundation approaches heated issues in such a positive way. Everyone seemed to have a great time, stories were shared which helped others see their viewpoints, and all the while we were creating a better society. Very inventive and I'm glad to see a GLBT organization taking the high road for once.
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