Empower is an extension of our Engage and Educate programs, designed to support young people and their families. It is a collaborative initiative involving corporate partners and community organisations to provide empowerment and learning opportunities.
Jacksonville Jaguars
After Ayo Oyelola of the Jacksonville Jaguars chose to support Lives Not Knives through the charity awareness initiative *My Cause My Cleats*, he visited Croydon and engaged with young people at Croydon Arena. During his visit, he participated in a Q&A session, sharing insights about life as an NFL player and inspiring attendees with his journey. This was followed by a JagTag session, where he encouraged young people to dream big and believe in their potential.
Giving Day
Lives Not Knives, in partnership with Amazon and Amazon Web Services, has strengthened its support for the Croydon community through *Giving Day*, an initiative that provides essential food and household items to those in need. This effort ensures that vulnerable individuals and families receive the vital resources necessary for daily life.
By offering these essentials, *Giving Day* helps alleviate financial stress, preventing families from living in a constant state of fight or flight. This support eases their burden, allowing them to focus on stability and overall well-being. Initially launched to assist the families of the children we work with, the initiative has grown significantly, now reaching 290 families in a single day.