Frequently Asked Questions

Fill out our Get Help form on our website or call us at (413) 676-9370. A navigator will reach out to you to talk about your situation and start building a plan together. You do not need a referral from another agency to reach out to us directly.

We primarily serve adults in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and the greater PA/WV/OH tri-state area, including parts of Ohio County WV, Washington County PA, Greene County PA, Beaver County PA, Jefferson County OH, and Belmont County OH. If you are outside our area, contact us and we will do our best to connect you with resources near you.

No. All of our navigation and coordination services are free. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and our programs are funded through donations and grants.

Our navigators coordinate support across six areas: housing stability (emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent placement, utility assistance), employment and workforce (resume help, interview prep, job placement, skills training), behavioral health (mental health referrals, addiction recovery coordination, crisis intervention), legal aid and advocacy (court navigation, legal representation connections, record expungement), transportation (rides to appointments, job interviews, DHHR visits, medical care), and education and life skills (financial literacy through America Saves, GED support, budgeting workshops).

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in crisis but not in immediate danger, fill out our Get Help form and select “Crisis — I need help now” as the urgency level, or call us directly at (413) 676-9370. We prioritize crisis-level requests and will work to connect you with help as quickly as possible.

No. You do not need an ID, proof of income, or any documents to reach out to us. Our navigators will help you figure out what you need and how to get it as part of your plan.

Yes. We work with adults involved in the justice system and can help with legal aid connections, record expungement assistance, and navigating barriers to housing and employment that come with a criminal record. We do not judge your past.

Yes. All information you share with us is treated as confidential. Your navigator will only share information with partner service providers when it is necessary to coordinate your care, and only with your knowledge. We do not sell or share your data. You can read our full Privacy Policy on our website.

A navigator is your dedicated support person at Empower and Link. Unlike a traditional case worker, a navigator walks alongside you — helping you set your own goals, connecting you with the right services, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. You stay in control of your plan. Your navigator coordinates across all the areas of your life that need support so you are not bouncing between agencies on your own.

Our 360° Support Framework means we address the whole picture, not just one issue. Poverty, addiction, homelessness, mental health challenges, and justice involvement do not exist in isolation. Our navigators coordinate across every area of your life — housing, employment, health, legal, transportation, and education — so that support is connected and nothing gets missed.

Most social services work on one issue at a time. You go to one agency for housing, another for employment, another for mental health. Empower and Link coordinates across all of those areas with one navigator who knows your full situation. We do not just refer you somewhere and move on. We walk with you through every step until you reach stability and self-sufficiency.

For crisis-level requests, we aim to reach out within 24 hours. For urgent requests, within a few days. For standard requests, within one week. Response times depend on current demand, but we follow up on every request.

There is no set time limit. You work with your navigator for as long as you need support. Our goal is to help you reach a point where you no longer need us. Some people work with us for a few weeks, others for several months. It depends on your situation and your goals.

Use our online referral form. You will need the client's name and phone number, your agency information, the services requested, and the reason for referral. The client must give verbal or written consent before you submit the referral.

Yes. We accept referrals from social service agencies, healthcare providers, courts, schools, churches, law enforcement, DHHR, and any other organization serving individuals who could benefit from wraparound support. We also accept self-referrals from individuals.

We confirm receipt of every referral. A navigator will reach out to the client to introduce themselves, learn about the situation, and begin building a support plan. We can provide status updates to the referring agency if the client consents.

Yes. Our referral form supports URL parameters that let you pre-fill your agency name, contact information, and other details so you do not have to re-enter them each time. Contact us for your agency-specific referral link.

Visit our donation page to make a one-time or recurring donation. All donations are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 33-1252823.

Yes. Empower and Link, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 33-1252823). Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Your donation directly funds support for individuals in crisis. For example, $20 can cover a taxi ride for a domestic violence victim to reach safety. $42 covers a monthly bus pass for someone starting a new job. $100 can help prevent an eviction. $150 can keep the lights on by covering a utility bill. We are a lean organization and maximize every dollar toward direct services.

Yes. On our donation page you can choose from one-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual recurring donations. You can cancel a recurring donation at any time by contacting us at support@empowerandlink.org or (413) 676-9370.

Yes. You can volunteer your time at community events and workshops, donate clothing, household items, and personal care products, shop our Amazon Wish List to purchase specific items our clients need, spread the word about our mission on social media, or explore corporate partnership opportunities. Visit our Get Involved page for details.

Empower and Link is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides wraparound navigation services to adults facing poverty, addiction, homelessness, mental health challenges, and justice system involvement in the PA/WV/OH tri-state area. We coordinate support across housing, employment, behavioral health, legal aid, transportation, and education so individuals can build stable, self-sufficient lives.

Empower and Link was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on September 30, 2024. We were founded to fill a critical gap in wraparound support services for adults in the PA/WV/OH tri-state area, where poverty, addiction, and homelessness intersect and existing agencies often work in isolation.

Empower and Link was founded by Wuela Heceta, who serves as Founder and CEO. Wuela holds a degree in Psychology from Villanova University and has dedicated her career to community advocacy and social services in the tri-state area. The organization is governed by a board of directors with backgrounds in social work, law, healthcare, and community development. Visit our Team page to learn more.

We are based in Colliers, West Virginia and serve the Northern Panhandle of WV and the surrounding PA/WV/OH tri-state area.

Email us at support@empowerandlink.org, call (413) 676-9370, or use the contact form on our website.