Empowered to Live, Inc

To better acquaint our members and the greater community with our grantees, we are highlighting some of the nonprofit organizations that have received WGC grant funds. This quarter, we reached out to Tiffany Green, Founder and Executive Director of the Empowered to Live, Inc, to learn more about the organization's mission to transform the lives of individuals and families through comprehensive workforce development programs.

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at your organization and how long have you been with the organization?

My name is Tiffany Green, and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Empowered to Live, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals and families achieve economic mobility through workforce development, education, entrepreneurship, and access to resources.

In 2016, I founded Empowered to Live out of both professional and lived experience, with a deep desire to help individuals, particularly youth and underserved communities, access opportunities that lead to sustainable careers and long term stability. Since launching the organization, I have focused on developing innovative programs that bridge gaps in workforce development, economic empowerment, and community support.

What personally inspires me about this work is seeing individuals begin to recognize their own potential, overcome barriers, and create pathways to a better future for themselves and their families. I believe that with the right support, exposure, and opportunities, people can transform their lives and build generational change within their communities.

What is the mission of the organization, and what personally moves you about that mission? Empowered to Live’s mission is to empower youth and families to achieve economic mobility through workforce development, education, and access to essential resources that promote personal growth and long-term stability.

What inspires me most is witnessing transformation and seeing someone move from uncertainty to confidence, from instability to opportunity. Much of our work focuses on creating pathways to sustainable wages and careers for individuals who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities.

Personally, I am inspired because I understand what it means to overcome barriers. I know the importance of having someone believe in your potential and provide access, support, and guidance. That experience drives my commitment to ensuring others have the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.

What are the most significant challenges that the organization is facing right now? What are the most significant challenges faced by the clients/populations that you serve? One of the biggest challenges we see is access to career pathways, exposure to opportunities, mentorship, transportation, childcare, and supportive networks.

For young women especially, there are still barriers to entering nontraditional careers such as construction and the skilled trades. Many have never seen themselves represented in these industries, lack awareness of the opportunities available, or face social and economic barriers that limit participation.

Organizations like ours also face the challenge of securing sustainable funding to expand programs and meet growing demand. We often have more interest than available program slots, which speaks to the critical need for workforce development opportunities in our community.

Can you share a bit about the program funded by the Women's Giving Circle and its impact?

We are incredibly honored to have been selected as a 2026 Women’s Giving Circle grant recipient, receiving $37,000 to launch our Young Women in Construction (YWIC) Initiative under our Project GUIDE workforce development program.

YWIC is designed to increase the number of young women ages 16–24 entering construction and skilled trades careers by providing hands-on training, career exposure, mentorship, certifications, and direct connections to employers and apprenticeship opportunities.

Through this initiative, participants will gain exposure to industries where women have historically been underrepresented while developing confidence, leadership, financial literacy, and career readiness skills. Our goal is not simply workforce participation. We want young women to access careers that lead to economic independence, generational wealth, and long-term stability.

We believe this investment will have a ripple effect not only for the participants, but for families and the broader community.

Do you have any specific stories that you can share with us that illustrate what you are doing in the community?

One of the most meaningful parts of our work is seeing young people begin to recognize their own potential and pursue opportunities they may have never imagined for themselves.

One participant joined Project GUIDE at 18 years old during her senior year of high school to gain exposure to the construction and skilled trades industry. Throughout the program, she earned her OSHA-10 certification, forklift certification, NCCER Core credential, and 7.2 continuing education credits through Frederick Community College. She also completed resume development, cover letter preparation, and mock interviews that strengthened her professionalism, confidence, and job readiness.

In addition to classroom training, she gained hands-on experience with a local interior design firm, where she developed workplace skills such as reliability, consistency, and a deeper understanding of how design supports construction and development projects.

After graduating from high school, she relocated to New York City, secured full-time employment with an optical company, and is currently completing an apprenticeship as an optical technician.

Her story is a powerful reminder that success is not always linear and that exposure, transferable skills, mentorship, and opportunity can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. While she did not pursue construction directly, the confidence, credentials, professionalism, and work ethic developed through Project GUIDE helped position her for long-term career success and economic mobility. Moments like this remind us why this work matters. Sometimes all someone needs is exposure, encouragement, and an opportunity.

Is there anything further that members of the Giving Circle can do to help, in terms of volunteering, in-kind donations, etc?

Absolutely. Community partnerships and support are essential to our work. Women’s Giving Circle members can support our organization through:

• Mentorship and career exposure opportunities for young women exploring careers

• Volunteering during workforce development trainings, workshops, and events

• Industry partnerships and employer connections, particularly in construction, skilled trades, and nontraditional careers

• In-kind donations, such as tools, PPE, transportation support, meals, or professional clothing

• Sponsorships and funding partnerships to help us expand programming and serve more youth

• Most importantly, we welcome champions who believe in creating opportunities for young women and are willing to help us open doors.