SouthPoint Risk Helps Empower Me Center with Transforming the Lives of Individuals with Disabilities
SouthPoint Risk helps Empower Me Center transforms the lives of individuals with special needs through activities and opportunities for growth in a safe, secure environment while providing community education on disabilities and inclusiveness.
Westfield’s Legacy of Caring Program donates $625,000 to Help Over 100 Nonprofits Across the Country
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 13, 2023 — The Westfield Insurance Foundation partnered with SouthPoint Risk to donate $4,500 to Empower Me Center to help families or businesses stabilize or recover from disasters as part of the Legacy of Caring program.
Each year, Westfield’s top independent insurance agents are invited to nominate a local nonprofit in their community to receive a donation. Each year, grants are made to dozens of nonprofits in cities across Westfield’s national footprint.
The Westfield Insurance Foundation, an independent private foundation endowed by Westfield, awards the donation to support their top agents’ local communities. The program is designed to mirror what the insurance industry does every day –stabilize families, businesses, and communities in times of uncertainty. Since 2015, the Legacy of Caring program has donated to nonprofits focused on helping under-employed families overcome barriers in education, finance, housing, and jobs, or recover from disasters.
“As Westfield celebrates 175 years, we achieved this longevity by generations of employees and agents working together, committed to preserving and propelling our communities forward.” said Ed Largent, Westfield president, CEO, board chair and Westfield Insurance Foundation chairman. “Westfield continues to build on the strong commitment of caring that the founders of our company imagined. It’s a great feeling to link arms with our agents and make an impact.”
“At SouthPoint Risk, we understand the importance of investing in and supporting our local community. Our team is always seeking opportunities to volunteer and create a positive impact within our communities,” said Kyle Ruf, Chief Operating Officer. “We are proud and thankful for our collaboration with Westfield, which helps our agency make a more powerful impact on the communities where we live and work.”
“We are so grateful for the generous support to Empower Me Center,” said Michelle Hill, Empower Me Center Executive Director. “As we celebrate 25 years of serving the Special Needs Community, The Legacy of Caring grant will have a direct impact by providing much needed programming for this vulnerable population and will help our participants and their families realize short-term successes with long-lasting outcomes.”
L to R: Kyle Ruf, SouthPoint Risk Chief Operating Officer, Dustin Dowdy Empower Me Center Board Member, Michelle Hill, Empower Me Center Executive Directory, Bailey Cashia, SouthPoint Risk Digital Marketing & Communications Manager, and Amy Carver, Empower Me Center Development Director
About SouthPoint Risk
SouthPoint Risk – based in Nashville, Tenn. – Is a leading full-service independent insurance agency with 7 locations across Tennessee and Kentucky, including offices in Clarksville, Tenn., Dickson, Tenn., Knoxville, Tenn., Maryville Tenn., McMinnville, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., and Russellville, Ky. The firm offers a wide array of insurance services – from personal to commercial to bonds to surety solutions – all with a client-first commitment to customer service throughout the Southeast and nationwide. SouthPoint is in growth mode, and continuously seeks opportunities to expand its network of agencies. The agency, which boasts more than 85 employees, traces its insurance roots to 1893.
About Empower Me Center
Established in 1999, Empower Me Center is dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals with special needs throughout Tennessee through our six-week Summer Day Camp, our Day Dreamers Adult Program-they are “Active Adults Accessing Adventures in their Community” and 15 additional Year-Round Respite and Enrichment activities. These include the “Shooting Stars” Basketball League, The Snow Ball Dance, Spring Fling, Easter Egg Hunt, Day Dreamer’s Awards Banquet, a Fishing Rodeo, Summer Camp Awards Night, Wilson County/TN State Fair Special Needs Day, Fall Sports Festival, Fall Movie Night, the Pumpkin Prom, Christmas Camp, and our Friday Fun Fest with dinner, dancing, and karaoke is offered quarterly throughout the year.
Our programs serve individuals ages 5 and up. They include, but are not limited to: individuals with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Cancer, Epilepsy, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from physical or sexual abuse, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Diabetes, OCD, Depression, Blindness, Deafness, Down Syndrome Tuberous Sclerosis, Smith-Magenis Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, and Schizophrenia.
There is a tremendous statewide need and very limited access to adapted special needs programming for this vulnerable population, especially when they are out of school. Individuals with disabilities need opportunities to be in an accepting, safe, and loving environment where their unique needs are met, and they can learn and enjoy the same opportunities as those in their peer groups without disabilities. These individuals and their families face barriers to accessing quality services, education, childcare, jobs, social and recreational activities, and other critical supports. Families supporting individuals with special needs also face significant challenges in accessing affordable, inclusive, professionally staffed activities. For many, we are their only source of reliable respite for the family. For these reasons, extracurricular activities like those offered at Empower Me Center must be safe, convenient, and free or offered at a reduced rate.
This year, Empower Me Center will provide more than 3,000 activity experiences to more than 500 individuals with special needs throughout Middle Tennessee. Our goal is to maximize each individual’s abilities through therapeutic, recreational, and educational activities.
Through Empower Me Center, children and adults with special needs experience developmental growth and learn increased responsibility, independence, and social skills. They develop a sense of self-value, courage, and self-confidence. Their strengths and their differences are embraced and celebrated, empowering them to live fun, healthy, fulfilling, and productive lives. These skills carry over into everyday life for our participants, positively impacting their performance at school, work, and in community involvement.
To learn more about the impact of Empower Me Center visit www.empowermecenter.com.
About Westfield Insurance Foundation
Westfield Insurance Foundation was established in 2005 as an independent private foundation endowed by Westfield. In keeping with the values of Westfield, the Foundation exists to be a dedicated corporate citizen, directing our resources to areas that complement the work we do every day – disaster recovery, family stability, safety and economic development. Within each area, we prioritize addressing burdens suffered as a result of systemic racism. The Foundation donates over $3 million annually to a variety of charities.
About Westfield
Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as one of the nation’s leading property and casualty (P&C) companies, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to your protection and prosperity and to the progress of our community. Visit westfieldinsurance.com for more information.
