The Empowerment Academy of Owensboro has named Elizabeth Criswell-Jordan as its new operations manager, just as the organization prepares to open its doors to homeless students in Daviess County.
A community open house was held on Friday at the facility, located at 1606 Ohio Street, to welcome Criswell-Jordan and give the public a chance to tour the facility.
The academy provides long-term housing and life skills training for high school-aged students who are facing homelessness. Referrals will come from local guidance counselors and school officials.
“Believe it or not, there are a lot of students in public high school who have turned 18 who have no place to live,” Criswell-Jordan said. “They might be couch surfing, but they don’t have a stable and safe environment.”
Criswell-Jordan, who has a background in human services management and has lived in Owensboro for two years, said the mission is deeply personal.
“I myself graduated from high school homeless,” she said. “It’s more common than you think, and I think there are a lot of circumstances that could lead to a high school senior not having a home.”
Criswell-Jordan said the facility will be more than just a place to sleep.
“We will provide basic life skills training,” she said. “We have a partnership already set up with the Cooperative Extension to provide cooking classes. We plan to partner with local professionals for mentorship programs — teach these kids how to cook, how to keep house, how to take care of themselves, and give them a safe environment.”
She said the organization’s goal is to give students the stability to succeed in school and plan for their future.
“Young adulthood is already hard enough without the worry of where to sleep or where to find your next meal,” she said. “We seek to level the playing field for Daviess County youth with nowhere to call home so they can focus on their educational goals and their future.”
Criswell-Jordan said the facility will include 24/7 monitoring, and a live-in staff member will be hired soon. Residents may stay as long as they are enrolled in school, including those transitioning into college.
“We’ve even talked about developing programs where maybe high-achieving residents might have positions here, like a prefect or RA,” she said.
The academy will rely on school officials — including guidance counselors, teachers, and coaches — to identify eligible students. An individualized plan will be created for each resident, and the academy will work to get students to and from school each day.
Board Chair Vicki Quisenberry said Criswell-Jordan’s experience and passion made her the right fit.
“We are grateful to have found an operations manager with Beth’s compassion for leveling the playing field for young adults and relevant experience in a variety of social services capacities,” Quisenberry said. “The board is eager to introduce her to the community.”
Criswell-Jordan said the role is the most exciting position she’s ever had.
“It’s new to me, but it’s new to our entire community,” she said. “I’m very excited about it.”
The organization is currently funded through private donors and corporate sponsorships. Criswell-Jordan said continued donations are welcome.
Treasurer Doug Lanz said the cost to sponsor one student is estimated at $10,000 per year.
“This community has been very generous with donations to build the facility. We have no debt,” Lanz said. “During this season of giving, we look forward to accepting investments in our community’s young adults and their educational goals from community partners in any amount.”
