The Empowerment Factory (TEF), a nonprofit focused on providing youth with the skills needed to lead happier, healthier, more empowered lives, will host its annual fundraiser, ‘Meet Me at the Met,’ on May 21, 2025, from 6-9pm. Co-chaired by John Hazen White Jr., executive chairman of Taco Comfort Solutions, and the company’s CEO, Cheryl Merchant, the event will be held at The Met in Pawtucket. Whether you’re a long-time donor or new to our cause, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect and show your support.

Both Hazen White and Merchant are long-time supporters of The Empowerment Factory and said that they were enthusiastic about participating and helping with this year’s fundraiser, noting the important role TEF plays in the community. “The best investment of time and treasure,” Merchant said, “is in our youth. That is why we support The Empowerment Factory. It works every day to ensure our young people are happy, healthy, and empowered. The work The Empowerment Factory does – combining art and literacy – is making a tremendous impact on young lives.”

Attendees to the annual fundraiser can look forward to an evening filled with local food, fun, raffles, and live music by The New Providence Big Band. In addition to a raffle at the event, an online auction will open April 2nd for participants to bid on weekend getaways, local designer items, theatre tickets, and more.

The fundraising goal for this event is $50,000, and proceeds will ensure that The Empowerment Factory is able to continue its high-quality programming for at-risk youth in Rhode Island. Contributions support the social emotional learning programs that give our them the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

Since its inception eleven years ago, TEF has served more than 8,500 underserved youth with a variety of in-school, after-school, and summer learning programs and events that promote creativity, self-esteem, and civic pride.

“In these troubling times, we must pull together to do what we can to build a better world,” Gail Ahlers, the organization’s founder, said. “What better way to do that than to start with our children…our future? The Empowerment Factory reaches children who experience gaps and hardships that families and school systems often cannot address. Every child should feel that they matter and can make a difference in the world.”