Empower Tennessee

Middle Tennessee's Center For Independent Living

Peer Group Support

Sometimes a person with disabilities may struggle with feeling like the world is not designed for them or feel like they are the only person on the planet living with a disability. Empower Tennessee is here to help.

Empower Tennessee’s peer groups are here to empower these people to live the lives they imagine. Peer group members rave about how much they enjoy the wisdom and humor shared with them about about all subjects related to living and thriving with a disability.

Peer support has been proven to increase self-reported health status and self-care. Did you know one of the most powerful and successful strategies for empowerment and independence is peer mentoring? To achieve independence means we achieve results – like getting a job, finding friends and support, being an active and productive member of the community, going to school, etc.

Empowered Ladies

Empowered Ladies Logo: It Reads: Gather Talk Learn Laugh in an arch shape at the top and Empowered Ladies in dark blue at the bottom. There are small, orange stars separating each word in the arch. The space between the arch and Empowered Ladies is filled with orange rays and two star-shaped people in light blue and red pointing to three orange stars.

About Our Group: Empowered Ladies is a social group of women who live in Tennessee that gathers to talk, learn, laugh, and empower one another. Participants exchange authentic life experiences with their peers. It’s a chance to say, “I matter!”

When: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, unless otherwise noted

Times: 2:00 – 3:30 pm

Where: Zoom Virtual Event

Registration Link: bit.ly/PSELAS22

Contact: Kasondra Farmer with questions about this free event at kasondra@empowertn.org or 615.200.6028 or click the button below to send us a message.

Dates and location are subject to change. So be sure to register!

*Zoom details will be provided only to those who register.

Please note that the participants of the Evening Session of Empowered Ladies decided to merge their group with the Afternoon Session beginning with the March 2023 gathering.

Empowered Gents

Empowered Gents Logo: It Reads: Gather Talk Learn Laugh in an arch shape at the top and Empowered Gents in dark blue at the bottom. There are small, orange stars separating each word in the arch. The space between the arch and Empowered Gents is filled with orange rays and two star-shaped people in light blue and red pointing to three orange stars.

About Our Group: Empowered Gents is a social group that gathers to learn about assistive technology and other resources that increase the independence and confidence of men with disabilities. Participants share experiences and life hacks with their peers. Participation is free. Topics vary.

When: Every 1st Thursday of the month, unless otherwise noted

Time: 4:00 – 5:30 pm CT

Where: Zoom Virtual Event

Registration Link: bit.ly/ETEG22

Contact: Quoc “Q” Lam with questions about this free event at q@empowertn.org or 615.200.6028 or click the button below to send us a message.

Dates and location as subject to change. So be sure to register!

*Zoom details will be provided only to those who register.

Empower BLAST

BLAST Logo: It Reads: Blind & Low Vision Access, Support, & Tech in an Empower Blue arch at the top. Empower is in the center in dark blue and the O is larger than the other letters and it has two star people -- they have indistinct bodies that are kind of star shaped; a red one and a light blue one giving high fives -- and three orange stars above their heads inside of it. Between the Arch and the Empower are orange rays coming from the O and filling the space. Below the Empower is BLAST in bold, dark blue letters with the letters

About Our Group: Blind and Low Vision Access, Support & Tech (BLAST) (fka Tech Talk & More) is a social group that gathers to learn about assistive technology and other resources that increase the independence and confidence of people who are blind or low vision. Participants share experiences and life hacks with their peers. Topics vary. All meetings are free. RSVP required. New participants welcome any time.

When: Every 4th Friday of the month, unless otherwise noted

Time: 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Where: Zoom Virtual Event

Registration Link: bit.ly/ETPSB22

Contact us with questions about this free event at info@empowertn.org or 615.200.6028 or click the button below to send us a message.

Dates and location are subject to change. So be sure to register!

*Zoom details will be provided only to those who register

Living Your Best Empowered Life

Empowered Life Logo: It Reads: Living Your Best in an arch shape at the top and Empowered Life in dark blue at the bottom. There are small, orange stars separating each word in the arch. The space between the arch and Empowered Life is filled with orange rays and two star-shaped people in light blue and red pointing to three orange stars.

About Our Group: Living Your Best Empowered Life has discussions about employment and housing, including strategies and tips to help you Live Your Best Life.

There are opportunities to chat, learn, and share stories about your personal experiences in seeking, securing, and maintaining housing and employment while living with a disability.
 
The group is facilitated by our Independent Living Specialist, Marissa, who helps folks set goals and find solutions every day.
 

When: Every 3rd Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise noted

Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm CT

Where: Zoom Virtual Event

Registration Link: bit.ly/PSLYBEL22

Contact: Marissa Smith-Fletcher with questions about this free event at marissasf@empowertn.org or 615.200.6028 or click the button below to send us a message.

Dates and location are subject to change. So be sure to register!

*Zoom details will be provided only to those who register.Thursday

Empower Tennessee Logo

Empowered Ladies

 

Complete this short form and we will contact you with details about Empowered Ladies peer support opportunities!

Empower Tennessee Logo

Empowered Gents

 

Complete this short form and we will contact you with details about Empowered Gents peer support opportunities!

Empower Tennessee Logo

Empower BLAST

 

Complete this short form and we will contact you with details about our peer support opportunities.

BLAST was formerly known as Tech Talk & More.

Empower Tennessee Logo

Living Your Best Empowered Life

Complete this short form and we will contact you with details about the Empowered Life peer support opportunities!