Empower those of all ages by donating an EmBe scholarship to the program of your choice

This piece is sponsored by EmBe.

It might be a woman looking to make a fresh start personally and professionally.

Or a child needing to learn the lifesaving skill of swimming.

It could be a family struggling to work without access to reliable child care.

Or a preteen girl in need of the confidence to navigate some challenging years ahead.

You can support all of them this Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, as EmBe dedicates its donations to program scholarships that support those served across its organization.

“Our goal for Giving Tuesday is to offer donors the opportunity to support scholarships within the EmBe pillars they resonate with most and to inspire and encourage others to get involved and to follow EmBe’s social media channels to see the impact of their gift through stories and updates,” said Anna Wiederrich, donor engagement and events coordinator.

Among EmBe’s four pillars, $435,400 in scholarships were awarded this year.

“Scholarships provide dignity to our families and allow them to participate in opportunities that support personal growth, nurture reliable child care, grow through youth programming and inspire leadership at all ages,” Wiederrich said.

“We want to empower them from the minute they walk in our doors to the minute they leave. We want them to know that EmBe supported them in the ways they needed, so they can go on to support others.”

Empowering all ages

Scholarship support at EmBe starts incredibly young with almost 700 children served through child care and school-age care programming. EmBe utilizes an approach that fosters wholistic development focused on character, inherent intelligence and physical well-being.

“Our education pillar is where our biggest need for dollars exists,” Wiederrich said.

The EmBe Education Scholarship Fund is available to those in the “middle-middle,” who do not qualify for child care assistance but are still in need of financial assistance. EmBe’s Scholarship Fund can help cover up to 20 percent of tuition costs for families

“EmBe believes there is dignity in providing for one’s family, and scholarships create opportunities that remove barriers for families to do so,” Wiederrich said. “We recognize that life and living expenses can be overwhelming, and we’re committed to ensuring that reliable child care is accessible to everyone.”

One in five children in EmBe Education receives a scholarship.

A recurring gift of $250 per month or $3,000 per year provides one child with a scholarship within the EmBe Education Scholarship Fund.

EmBe also serves almost 1,800 kids in youth programming – everything from Girls on the Run to volleyball, tae kwon do and babysitting camp.

“I was a coach for Girls on the Run, and the impact is really powerful,” Wiederrich said. “These girls are in third through fifth grade, which is a time they need support both for the social-emotional as well as physical health. It costs EmBe $160 per participant in Girls on the Run, and our scholarships help offset fees for girls who need financial assistance.”

Additionally, almost 900 children participate in EmBe’s aquatics program each year, learning lifelong water safety skills and building wellness, while more than 200 individuals receive water safety training through instruction, certification and review.

“Our scholarships for aquatics ran out by midyear this year, and we will offer it again, but we know there’s a need and demand,” Wiederrich said. “Everyone should have the opportunity to develop skills and confidence in water safety.”

For adults, scholarships also can be the key to accessing life-changing leadership programming.

EmBe’s women’s programming has served more than 450 women this year, ranging from age 16 to 80.

“There are opportunities for scholarships in our EmBe Women’s Leadership Program, as we have women who want to build their skills and explore leadership but don’t have the opportunity to be financially supported through their workplace,” Wiederrich said.

“They want to be uplifted and empowered, and thanks to a scholarship, they’re able to experience our Women’s Leadership Program and continue on to add so much value to the business community as well as the broader community.”

Dine and give

On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, a portion of sales at BibiSol restaurant will go directly to support EmBe and its programs.

Find it at 219 S. Phillips Ave., and reserve a table here. 

“We are excited about our partnership with Marcela Salas, a female-owned entrepreneur and the 2025 Young Woman of  Achievement Winner of The EMBES: A Tribute to Women,” Wiederrich said.

Personal impact

When you support EmBe scholarships, your dollars truly make a life-changing impact.

Here’s what recipients had to say, in their own words:

Education: “Receiving a scholarship from EmBe helped lighten a real financial burden for me as a single parent. It also gave me peace of mind knowing my daughter is cared for by people who truly love her and want her there. When I was struggling to afford child care, I reached out to EmBe for support. They responded quickly and without judgment. Sometimes people simply need a helping hand, and EmBe offered exactly that. I wouldn’t want my child anywhere else. Thank you, EmBe!” – Alex, father

Youth: “Girls on the Run has been such a meaningful experience for my 9-year-old daughter. Thanks to the scholarship, she had the chance to be part of a program that helped her grow in ways I could never have imagined. She was able to build upon her resilience and discovered that she can do hard things — and even have fun while doing them. Every practice left her feeling proud of herself, not just for running, but for pushing through challenges with a positive spirit.

“One of the biggest lessons she took away was how to support her friends and those around her. She learned what it means to lift others up, cheer them on and be part of a team. She also learned that giving just a little — a little kindness, a little encouragement, a little effort — can turn into something so much bigger.

“By the end of the season, she didn’t just finish the 5K — which, wow, what an accomplishment for a 9-year-old to say! — she finished it with confidence, joy and a heart full of pride. We are so grateful for the scholarship that made this experience possible and for all the ways Girls on the Run has helped her grow.

“Again, thank you so much for this gift. It meant the world to our daughter who would not have been able to participate without the help from your organization.” – Heidi, mother

Aquatics: “My daughter was so afraid of the water, we would have to go in with her, and she wouldn’t even put her face under. EmBe’s swimming lessons gave her the confidence to being comfortable in the water by herself and to eventually dunk her face under!” – EmBe aquatics parent

Women’s: “EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program taught me how to slow down and focus on myself — not in a selfish way, but in a way that helps me show up better for my team. I learned tools to strengthen my leadership skills and gained a deeper understanding of how self-awareness impacts the people around me. I’ve learned to be more present in conversations, listen to understand rather than just to respond and create space for others to share their thoughts and ideas. It’s made me a stronger, more empathetic leader.” – WLP graduate

To make your Giving Tuesday contribution, visit here, select your donation amount, and then select in the drop-down menu what scholarship fund you would like to direct your donation to.