---

EmPowerU -- Looking at innovative solutions for a healthier future

Chief Operating Officer of Heartland Foundation Judy Sabbert comments on what she feels makes emPowerU work: "The focus of the work at emPowerU is to inspire kids to become engaged with those around them and to feel a sense of belonging and involvement with their community. Currently the Foundation is serving more than 5000 young people a year at 100 schools through emPowerU and the emPower Plant experience. At any time, we have more than 800 volunteers that serve in council roles when those young people are here for the student immersion. The success of emPowerU can be attributed to the fact that many people put time, energy and passion in thinking through what can make a difference. To do this we engaged people from throughout the region, including young people. We had middle school and high school students that were on various teams when we began to envision what this place might look like and what the program might be. So it was truly a healthy communities effort that we put into practice, which is together, people from various backgrounds and different ways of looking at life, came together to have a conversation about new and better solutions.

The people at Heartland understand that we have a commitment and an obligation to make a difference for our communities, knowing that the investment we make today will lead to healthier communities tomorrow. This is typically not the way most health–care organizations view that responsibility. But I think it is part of what Heartland is; it's the heart and soul of what Heartland is all about, and I’m certainly very proud to be associated with this wonderful organization."

Watch the commercial below by clicking the "Play" button.