Who
we areWho
we areEmpower Your Future is operated by its Executive Director Joe Chatham who is a decorated veteran of the Dallas Police Department. “Officer Joe”, as he is known to the community is the spark plug of the program. The EYF program began as an instant success partially in due to Joe’s excellent rapport with the community. Joe is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers many of which also serve on the board of directors. The volunteers provide speakers, logistical support, photography, and a variety of professional skills.
The EYF program started in the 2000 school year with no support other than Joe’s personal friends who believed in the concept, and the funds out of his pocket. Often it was Joe and Suzanne and maybe one or two friends. The group would give a combined program on bicycle safety, the presentation of the EHYF message, and the motorcycle round-up. EYF is an independent federal tax exempt 501( c )(3) public charity that has appeared at over 30 schools in the DISD and surrounding communities. The program has grown to include inspirational speakers such as ex-NFL starts, local celebrities such as Alexa Conomos of WFAA-TV, pillars of the community like Dallas Fire Chief Steve Abraira, nationally known figures like AreanCross champions Josh Demuth, and Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle, and even international sports figures such as Martina Moracova Slovakian Olympic silver medalist. Every one of these busy people took the time to give a personal history to the children to show the kids that with hard work and dedication they could achieve their goals.
A typical EYF program is preceded by a visit from EYF members to hand out essay forms for the students, and the students are given T-shirts stating the program goals based on participation. It is important for the students to see that work reaps real rewards. Each essay is read and reviewed by Joe and Suzanne.
The main presentation is given a few days later and starts with a student assembly. Officer Joe starts the program on the importance of Perseverance, Endurance, and Education. Joe also notes the important point that in this impersonal world, the volunteers are hear because they care. Joe engages the audience rather than ‘talking at them’. The program then quickly progress to one or two featured speakers who through their personal example show the students that they can succeed in life and that their possibilities are limitless.
The 2nd part of the program moves outdoors where volunteers from the motorcycle community give the students rides on small off-road motorcycles and often lunch is provided afterwards by community service minded organizations such as Dickie’s BBQ. Most of the students have never even seen a motorcycle other than in the media, let alone experience the joy of riding one. The grins are ear to ear.
It takes a team of people to make the rides work with not only volunteers to ride the kids around on bikes, but others to help them with their safety gear and to make sure the students have the proper permission slips. There are no similar programs. No programs with this positive message and no programs with participation on motorcycles. And there are very few programs that can boast the level of community participation and list of stars. And no program that we know of provides the students with a free lunch and a t-shirt that will be a reminder of their special day and statement of program goals.
The EYF program is presented at no cost to the schools. In today’s environment of cut backs in school funding the program would not be considered a priority and would not happen. The EYF program has no paid staff and therefore has to be wedged into spots that fit into everyone’s schedules. There is no other program that delivers as much for amount of investment involved.
EYF’s funding comes from fund raising primarily through a now annual Daytona Motorcycle Race Watching party held at venues like The Granada and The Addison Movie House. The funds received from this activity fund the Essay materials and t-shirts provided to the students.
Non-monetary support is provided by donations of equipment from Yamaha Corporation USA, Dickie’s BBQ, Motion CycleSports, and MotoLiberty.
Any funding or support to the EYF program is a step in the right direction. Even if there was no support, the EYF program would continue. It is the addition of funding that allows an expansion of the program and its is our goal to eventually get this program completely self-sustaining. We would love to repeat the program at every school we visit and are often requested to do so by students, teachers, and principals alike. The equipment used in the EYF program is stored and maintained by Joe Chatham and there is no foreseeable end to this program. All sponsors are duly credited both in the essay materials, on the t-shirts and on this web site.