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Empower Hour

Broaden the lens. Focus the Vision

Empower Hour is where local expertise meets the next generation’s potential. We bring together a collective of passionate mentors to uplift our youth, encouraging them to expand their horizons and take ownership of their own unique pathways to discovery.

Empower Hour is a heartfelt part of the youth mentorship program, designed to inspire young people to look beyond their current circumstances and dream big! It brings together dedicated volunteers - whether experts in their field or passionate individuals - who are eager to share their knowledge, experiences and encouragement to uplift and guide the next generation.

 

What are the benefits?

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  • Building confidence - Mentorship helps young people believe in their potential, giving them the encouragement and support to pursue their dreams. â€‹

  • Developing Skills - Volunteers share valuable knowledge and experiences, helping youth develop skills that are useful in education, careers and life. â€‹

  • Encouraging Resilience - Learning from mentors who have faced challenges teaches young people how to overcome obstacles and stay motivated.

  • Fostering a Growth Mindset - By seeing real-world examples of success and perseverance, youth are inspired to take initiative, set goals and continuously learn. 

  • Expands the lens - Expands the landscape of possibility, exposing youth to diverse paths and empowering them to envision a life without limits.

Volunteers

Tori Burke

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Tori Burke – Attorney, Dancer, Advocate Tori is a passionate advocate for empowerment, fitness, and community engagement. A former Division 1 athlete and dance team captain, she has dedicated her career to helping others realize their potential—both in and out of the courtroom. With a background in business and law, Tori holds a Juris Doctor from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. Beyond her legal work, she is a certified barre, dance, and group fitness instructor, previously teaching at VIDA Fitness (Virginia/D.C.) and The Dance Academy (Holland, PA). Specializing in barre, strength training, HIIT, and dance fitness, she has led classes for diverse groups, including Spanish-speaking participants at Arlington Free Clinic. Tori is committed to empowering women and young girls through movement, mentorship, and wellness. Whether in the studio, courtroom, or community, she is driven by a mission to inspire confidence and strength in others.

Matt Guza

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Matt Guza is a professional drummer and music educator with a passion for performance, teaching, and sound exploration. Currently, he tours full-time as the drummer for "Satisfaction" – The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show, bringing the iconic music of the Stones to audiences worldwide. With a career spanning decades of live performance and global travel, Matt has worked extensively as a musician on cruise ships, in international venues, and in music hubs across the U.S. He spent time living and performing in Rhodes, Greece, further enriching his diverse musical experiences. Beyond performing, Matt is an experienced drum instructor, having taught at music stores and schools in Hazleton, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Asheville. His dedication to music extends into the technical realm, with studies in sound recording and music technology at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), as well as training in sound healing from the Globe Institute in San Francisco. Now, Matt is excited to offer his time and talents to Empower Hour at Empowerment Pathways, where he will help inspire and mentor students through music, rhythm, and creative expression. His career reflects a deep love for music, education, and the transformative power of sound, making him a valuable addition to the Empowerment Pathways team.

Heather Miller

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Heather is a passionate nature lover with a deep appreciation for rocks, crystals, plants, and geology. With a natural gift for teaching, she enjoys sharing her knowledge about the wonders of the natural world and helping others develop a connection with plants and the environment. Known for her unique ability to revive struggling plants, friends and family often bring their dying greenery to Heather, who nurtures them back to life with care and attention. Every plant in her collection has a name and a story, and she believes that talking to plants helps them thrive. Her love for plants even made its way into a pageant talent show, where she proudly showcased a few of her favorite leafy companions. Whether teaching about geology, crystals, or plant care, Heather brings enthusiasm, warmth, and a touch of magic to everything she does.

David Fair

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David is a native of the Fountain Hill area, and attended Fountain Hill schools, graduating from Liberty HS in Bethlehem. His main interests have been history and science since high school. He graduated from Lehigh University with honors in electrical engineering. David's working career includes fifteen years at Bethlehem Steel as an electrical engineer and twenty-five at Rexroth Corp, German hydraulics supplier, as an electrical controls engineer and controls group manager. We designed, built and installed electrical equipment and computer-based control systems for hydraulic equipment (think big) in the United States and Panama. Equipment included presses, locks and dams, rocket erectors and other large hydraulic-based pieces of equipment. David had a Professional Engineers’ license for 40 years. David is married with two daughters, both Penn State grads, one has followed his love for STEM and is a computer engineer. David coached girls’ softball for 8 years with his daughters. He was a docent for the National Canal Museum for 9 years. Finally he was a GED math instructor for a year. David is an animal lover who currently transports rescued dogs and cats on the weekends for FAPS (For All Paws Sake) animal rescue.

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