Empowering youth by bringing learning to life

Civic Engagement Immersions

emPowerU is a technology-rich facility designed to maximize creativity and encourage collaboration among youth. It is a place where young people learn how to address challenges in their schools and communities. emPowerU is a place where every voice is heard and all ideas are valued. Since 2007, more than 29,800 students have experienced the impact of our challenge-based immersions.

The Civic Engagement Immersions are held at emPowerU in St. Joseph and are designed for students in grades 6 – 8. There are three unique circuits that build upon each other. Circuit One and Two are facilitator-led at emPowerU. Circuit Three is a self-propelled community project.

emPowerU programs are inclusive of all student types and academic levels.

Civic Engagement Immersions are offered free of charge for school districts in the Foundation’s 31 county service region in northwest Missouri and adjacent counties in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.

4268
FY26 emPowerU Participation Days

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Civic Engagement Immersions

Circuit One: Learn

Circuit One is a student-led, problem-based learning experience. Our professionally trained facilitators present students with challenges and guide them through discussions, discovery and consensus building. Student groups then present their findings to their peers and the emPowerU Council.

Circuit Two: Empower

emPowerU transforms into a new region of diverse communities. Students become citizens of these communities and serve in specific roles such as mayors, commissioners, and researchers. Each community has the task of discovering its biggest need and presenting that need to the student-led hearing. Communities then collaborate to discover ways to improve the region.

Circuit Three: Serve

Students have the option to do a community service project where they examine their own community and come to consensus on an issue they would like to address. Students identify obstacles and brainstorm solutions. Once a plan is in place, students may apply for a competitive Jump Starter grant to help fund their project.
Life-changing Experience
This is a wonderful opportunity for me as an individual, for the students and the community. We are fortunate to have these programs to help educate kids on various important topics and get them involved."
Nancy Ehlert, Circuit One Council Volunteer
I feel like I can do more because I am at this program. It makes me feel like I can do more outside of emPowerU and in our community."
Molly, Discovery Middle School
I never thought we could actually make a change in this world, but emPowerU has showed me we can."
emPowerU opened up a new mindset that kids our age can help people in our community and try to make it a better place."
Contact Us

Devran Brower

Program Operations Director

(816) 271-7910

devran.brower@mlcfoundation.com

518 S. Sixth St.

St. Joseph, MO 64501

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