Empower and Connect, a student-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Katy, is leading two powerful global initiatives as part of their mission to empower underserved groups in both local and global communities through youth-led innovation, education, and sustainable development. This year, teams of high school students from Tompkins High School and international partners have launched two major initiatives driving real-world impact in Kenya and India:

· Inventor Workshops (Team A – 2025): Equipping volunteers with advanced training in Autodesk Inventor, a professional-grade 3D design software. These students are now mentoring underserved youth in Kenya, teaching them how to design and simulate engineering models—an opportunity that builds career pathways, fosters innovation, and bridges global equity gaps in STEM education. The team has 30 active student volunteers working with 20 underserved youth in Kenya and is collaborating with COHECF Kenya, a nonprofit providing computer lab access and hardware for the duration of the program. The program is expected to last four months through the summer of 2025. The group’s goal is to provide foundational training in Autodesk Inventor to help students explore careers in engineering, design, and innovation. So far, results have exceeded expectations, organizers say. Students are grasping complex design concepts faster than anticipated and are on track to apply these skills in real-world Kenyan government youth innovation programs.

· Water Filter Project (Team B – 2025): This team also has 30 active members who are working with approximately 20 medical students in India. In partnership with the Trans-Nzoia County Government (Kenya) and medical student leaders at Grant Government Medical College (Mumbai), the team is distributing affordable, high-efficiency water filters to families in Kitale and Mumbai. These filters eliminate bacteria, metals, and contaminants, improving public health and promoting long-term access to clean water. The goal is to distribute 50 filters total — 25 in Parel and Dharavi (India), and 25 in Kitale (Kenya). Filters are designed by the nonprofit’s U.S. team, using 3D modeling and tested with health and safety protocols and are manufactured via CNC machining in China using BPA-free, human-safe materials. Once quality checks are complete, the filters are shipped to Houston for final lab testing, and then distributed on-site in India and Kenya through partner organizations and local governments. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in waterborne illness risk and improved community sanitation.

The nonprofit is also developing research publications examining these initiatives through the lens of health, environmental sustainability, governance, and social equity, said Ishaan Menon, outreach officer for Empower and Connect, in an email to the Katy Times. “These studies reflect our commitment to not just service, but scalable, evidence-driven change. This isn’t just about students volunteering—it’s about students leading. Empower and Connect operates with the professionalism of a global nonprofit and the passion of youth-driven changemakers.”

Empower and Connect was founded January 2023 by high school student Yuvi Parmar after witnessing quality-of-life disparities in Greater Houston. The nonprofit grew when he partnered with peers Elvin Li and Allen Nguyen to form the Board of Directors. What began as a small community effort has evolved into an international, youth-led movement for educational and health equity. The group’s current membership is 75+ high school students across Texas and international partners. The organization is funded through a combination of sponsorships from local businesses, individual donations, and grassroots fundraising events. Empower and Connect is fully youth-run. All strategy, execution, and leadership is student-led, with minimal adult oversight.