Global Empowerment Mission
Global Empowerment Mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 under the original name, Haiti Empowerment Mission. The organization later changed its name to Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to better fit with an expanding global focus. Conceived in 1999 when Founder/Director Michael Capponi got his feet wet helping the victims of the Kosovo crisis.
GEM’s founding members have been involved in supporting some of the most significant global tragedies over the last decade, personally assisting in over 200 various aid relief trips around the world. These have included 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti and many more. In 2017, GEM spearheaded the #ThisIsACrisis initiative which resulted in the amassing, execution and delivery of over 10 million pounds of aid for the victims of Hurricane Irma and Maria. This initiative serviced and supported over 10 severely affected countries and US territories throughout the Caribbean.
The near-term goal of the organization is to empower people struck with tragedy by providing emergency aid, food, housing, quality education, diverse vocational training and job creation. The ultimate objective is to create opportunities for the people in developing countries to have a self-sufficient and sustainable economy, ultimately eliminating their dependency on foreign aid.
The mission also supports personal growth programs as well as enlightening principals. By bringing these ideals to people around the globe GEM is fostering deeper, richer and more enduring intellectual connections, transformative experiences and social charity.
GEM’S RELIEF MISSIONS
Volcan de Fuego – Guatemala June 2018
Hurricane Irma & Maria – Caribbean September 2017
Hurricane Matthew – Haiti 2016
Tropical Storm Erika – Dominica 2015
Hurricane Sandy – Northeast USA 2012
Hurricane Isaac – Haiti 2012
Haiti Earthquake – Haiti 2010
EMERGENCY RELIEF
In times of crisis, GEM’s founding team leads groups of emergency first responders, firefighters, doctors and nurses to hard-hit areas. These teams have provided emergency lifesaving care to tens of thousands suffering injuries from natural disasters. The ability to arrive on the scene quickly is absolutely critical to saving lives. For this to occur, a collection of appropriate medical supplies and teams must be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
DISTRIBUTION OF VITAL NECESSITIES
The organization has created a targeted distribution program which offers key necessities to disaster areas and poverty-stricken countries: food, water, water filters, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, security lights, special necessities for infants and toddlers, mattresses, bedding, etc. We have serviced over 3 million people to date.
EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT
GEM currently offers educational programs in Haiti provided by private elementary, middle and high school institutions: Ecole Évangélique, Chrétienne de Lauture, Ecole Baptiste de St Cyr and College Hosanna. The education program is funded with specific earmarked sponsorships from private donors and includes the following: registration, tuition, uniform, shoes, lunches, transportation and after school care and tutoring along with English classes.
EMPOWERING THE HOMELESS
GEM’s founding team has been supporting the Miami Rescue Mission for over 9 years. We contributed to the construction of its private clinic, a 90 person men’s shelter, in addition to supporting their outreach and fundraising activities. These have included great banquets for Christmas in July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, which foster our belief in empowering the homeless community in the unites states to become self-sufficient, independent and proud again.
For more information, please visit www.globalempowermentmission.org