Founded in 2010 by community advocate Lorenzo “Chuck” Reed, Empowering 2 Excel has spent over a decade providing accessible, quality-driven mental health treatment and mentoring services to youth and families in North Las Vegas​ ​allbiz.com. Reed – a former athlete born in Shreveport, Louisiana, who came to Las Vegas in 1990 – launched the organization with a mission to uplift at-risk children through rehabilitation, life-skills training, and family-centered support. From day one, Empowering 2 Excel’s philosophy has been “Tomorrow’s Leaders Empowered Today,” emphasizing that strengthening young people now builds a brighter future for the whole community. The organization’s programs are staffed by licensed clinical psychologists, therapists, and trained mentors, all aligned with Reed’s vision of helping each client “achieve his/her highest level of functioning” while upholding the highest ethical and quality standards ​allbiz.com. This family-focused, purpose-driven approach – encapsulated by the Albert Pine adage that “what we do for others in the world remains and is immortal” – has been the guiding light for Empowering 2 Excel’s work over the last 13 (going on 14) years ​allbiz.com.

Building a Holistic Community Program

In its early years, Empowering 2 Excel quickly became a community hub for youth mental health and personal development, tailoring its rehabilitation and mentoring services to the individual needs of children and their families. Reed’s strategy was not only to provide therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) services, but also to address broader life challenges faced by his clients. To that end, the organization incorporated Basic Skills Training (BST) programs that teach essential life skills – from personal hygiene to responsibility – ensuring that young people gain practical tools for success in school and society​. By 2020, Empowering 2 Excel introduced innovative therapies like neurofeedback to further enhance its wellness services, heralding it as a “groundbreaking addition” and “game-changer” for improving clients’ cognitive performance and mental health​. This willingness to embrace cutting-edge treatments exemplified the organization’s growth from a small mentoring program into a comprehensive support system for youth mental wellness.

Crucially, Reed understood that empowerment goes beyond therapy sessions. Under his leadership, Empowering 2 Excel expanded to tackle related challenges in the community. One major initiative has been combating juvenile diabetes and promoting physical wellness through a sister nonprofit, Rosie’s Wish Community Development Corporation. Established in memory of Reed’s late mother, Rosie (who passed away from diabetes), Rosie’s Wish began as a way to support children in the program who were dealing with diabetes, including Reed’s own son, a Type 1 diabetic​. The effort started small, teaching 10–15 youth how to monitor their blood sugar and live healthfully, but soon grew into fundraising for insulin pumps and sending kids to specialized diabetic camps for better care​. “My mom was one of those people who always gave to anyone,” Reed has said, and Rosie’s generous spirit lives on through these programs​. By integrating mental health services with initiatives like Rosie’s Wish, Empowering 2 Excel embraced a holistic model – recognizing that a child’s well-being depends on both emotional support and physical health resources.

Lorenzo “Chuck” Reed (right) honors his late mother Rosie’s legacy by helping children with diabetes through Rosie’s Wish CDC​. The NFL’s Roger Goodell recognized Reed’s community work during Super Bowl LVIII events in Las Vegas​ rosieswish.org.

As the organization grew, so did its footprint in the community. Empowering 2 Excel became known for its outreach events and partnerships aimed at lifting up local families. Starting in 2012, Reed and his team launched an annual “Help Us, Help Them” Thanksgiving Celebration to fight hunger among vulnerable households. By the fifth annual event in 2016, Rosie’s Wish (the nonprofit arm of Empowering 2 Excel) was providing Thanksgiving baskets – complete with turkeys, stuffing, and fresh produce – to over 100 low-income families in North Las Vegas ​reviewjournal.com. Local leaders took notice: the City’s Ward 2 Councilwoman, Pamela Goynes-Brown, even helped organize food drives for the cause, praising the event as an “inspiration” for the community​reviewjournal.com. This tradition of giving has continued each year, reflecting Empowering 2 Excel’s broader impact beyond clinical services. Likewise, Reed’s social enterprise efforts have opened doors for youth employment. Through his separate venture, Excel Cleaning Services, he created entry-level jobs for teens deemed “trouble” by others – a second chance for them to learn responsibility and work ethic in a supportive environment ​empowering2excel.com. Whether through holiday food drives, job opportunities, or life-skills workshops, Empowering 2 Excel’s community outreach has consistently aimed at breaking cycles of poverty and trauma, replacing them with hope and practical support.

Major Breakthroughs and Milestones

Over 15 years, Empowering 2 Excel has marked several key milestones in its journey to better serve the community. Among them, the introduction of neurofeedback therapy in 2020 stands out as a breakthrough in service offerings. This therapy uses brain-training technology to help clients overcome issues like ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD, and its launch was met with excitement from the Empowering 2 Excel community​. Embracing such innovative treatment not only benefited clients directly but also positioned the organization as a forward-thinking leader in youth mental health. Another milestone was the deepening of educational and vocational support in 2024, illustrated by Empowering 2 Excel’s collaboration with Nevada Partners to promote STEM education and entrepreneurship for local youth. In August 2024, Reed’s team visited Nevada Partners to explore science and technology initiatives that could “engage young minds and equip them with the skills needed for the future,” especially in underserved communities rosieswish.org. This collaborative spirit – working with other organizations to broaden opportunities for children – underscores Empowering 2 Excel’s evolution from a single-service provider into a multifaceted community empowerment hub.

The year 2024 also saw Empowering 2 Excel North Las Vegas reach the national stage during Las Vegas’s hosting of Super Bowl LVIII. In the lead-up to the big game, Lorenzo Reed was recognized by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for his grassroots community work​ rosieswish.org. As part of the NFL’s charitable outreach that week, Reed – a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan – had the chance to meet Goodell and share ideas with fellow community leaders brought together by the NFL. The meeting was symbolic of how far Empowering 2 Excel’s reputation had grown. What started as Reed’s local initiative had earned a place among the inspiring stories highlighted by a Super Bowl host city. “Football, the ultimate unifier on the field, is proving to be the same off of it,” a KSLA News segment remarked, noting how Reed’s impact in his hometown of Shreveport and his adopted home of Las Vegas was being celebrated on a national platform​. Around the same time, Reed’s nonprofit Rosie’s Wish CDC received an NFL Legacy Grant Award – a competitive grant bestowed by the NFL Foundation and the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee to organizations making a lasting impact in Southern Nevada. In a public thank-you letter, Rosie’s Wish expressed “boundless gratitude” for being selected as recipients of this “incredible honor,” noting that the grant would fuel efforts to empower youth and families in need for years to come​ rosieswish.org. Being one of the 117 local nonprofits chosen for the Super Bowl Legacy Grant Program highlighted Empowering 2 Excel’s track record of service and gave the organization additional resources to expand its programs.

Accolades and Recognitions for a Community Champion

As Empowering 2 Excel solidified its role in the community, public accolades followed. Lorenzo Reed’s leadership in particular has earned widespread recognition. In addition to the nod from the NFL Commissioner, Reed has been honored by numerous partnerships and awards on the local level. Under his guidance, Empowering 2 Excel was among the charities awarded grants by major philanthropic organizations in Las Vegas. For example, in late 2024, the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities awarded Empowering 2 Excel a grant as part of its annual distribution of funds to youth-focused nonprofits ​lvms.com. Being named one of the 63 organizations to receive support from Speedway Children’s Charities (out of many applicants) was a testament to the impact of Reed’s work and the trust the community placed in his organization. Empowering 2 Excel has also partnered with the City of North Las Vegas and local foundations like the Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation and the Southern Nevada Youth Sports Association over the years​. These collaborations often came with public acknowledgments – whether a city proclamation, a feature at an Urban Chamber of Commerce event, or simply the heartfelt thanks of community members whom Reed has helped. Each honor further cemented Reed’s reputation as a tireless advocate for youth and families.

In early 2025, Empowering 2 Excel North Las Vegas achieved another distinction: it became an officially Verified Provider for Care Solace, an acclaimed mental health referral network used by schools and communities nationwide. Earning the “Care Solace Verified” badge meant that Empowering 2 Excel met rigorous standards for quality care and professionalism in behavioral health services​. This recognition is more than just a title – it has a practical impact. As a verified partner, Empowering 2 Excel can more easily connect with individuals and school districts seeking trusted mental health support, expanding its reach to serve even more youth in need​. For Reed and his team, the Care Solace verification underscored their commitment to excellence and provided validation that their counseling and case management services are among the best in the region. It joined the growing list of endorsements and accolades the organization has garnered, from state and county agencies to national foundations. Reflecting on these honors, Reed remains humble and focused. “It’s all from up above – that’s where I get my vision from,” he says, crediting faith and his mother’s legacy for guiding his work​. The true reward for Empowering 2 Excel, however, comes in the form of changed lives: the teens who graduate high school instead of dropping out, the once-troubled youth holding down jobs and mentoring others, and the many families that have found hope and healing through the organization’s programs.

A Lasting Legacy of Excellence

From a modest start in 2010 to its current stature as a pillar of the North Las Vegas community, Empowering 2 Excel’s journey has been defined by innovation, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to service. Over 13+ years, the organization has directly touched thousands of lives – providing therapy to children battling mental health challenges, guiding parents through family counseling, teaching life skills that set local youth on a path to success, and rallying resources for physical health causes like childhood diabetes. Its motto of empowering others to excel is not just a slogan but a daily practice visible in every success story. Today, Empowering 2 Excel stands as a model community-driven organization: purpose-driven, expanding in scope, and rooted firmly in the belief that “family preservation must be achieved in order to save tomorrow’s leaders,” ​allbiz.com. As it embarks on its 15th year, the organization shows no sign of slowing down. Plans are underway to broaden mentorship programs, deepen school partnerships, and continue bridging gaps in mental health care for underserved populations.

Empowering 2 Excel’s positive influence can be seen in the gratitude of families whose holidays were brighter because of a Thanksgiving basket, in the confidence of a young adult who learned to manage their anxiety and land a first job, and in the healthier lifestyles of children who now understand how to care for their bodies and minds. Each of these individual breakthroughs contributes to a larger legacy of community upliftment. In recognition of this legacy, the community has, in turn celebrated Empowering 2 Excel – whether through official honors or simple word-of-mouth as a trusted haven for help. “We have to empower each other,” Reed often reminds his staff and supporters, reviewjournal.com. Indeed, Empowering 2 Excel’s story is one of empowerment multiplied: what began with one man’s determination to make a difference has blossomed into an enduring force for good, inspiring hope and excellence in North Las Vegas for nearly 16 years and counting.

Sources:

• Empowering 2 Excel – Official Website and Blog​empowering2excel.com​
• Rosie’s Wish CDC – Official News & Releases​ rosieswish.org
• KSLA News 12 (Shreveport) – “Shreveport native sees late mother’s wish granted”​ empowering2excel.com​
• Las Vegas Review-Journal – “Thanksgiving lift from Rosie’s Wish” (2016) ​reviewjournal.com
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Speedway Children’s Charities Grant Awards ​lvms.com
• AllBiz Business Profile – Empowering 2 Excel (company background)​allbiz.com​allbiz.com
• Excel Cleaning Services (Founder bio)​excelcleaninglv.com