How We Do It
Four pillars. One mission.
Education First
School isn't optional — it's the price of admission. Every player must maintain grades above 70% and 100% attendance to stay on the team.
Baseball Training
Year-round coaching, league play, and free equipment for every player. Three teams — high school, middle school, and t-ball — competing in Barahona's 8-team league.
Mentorship
Life skills, goal setting, and real relationships with coaches and staff who show up every single day. Not a pipeline — a family.
Community
Locally led, locally loved. Our staff has lived in Barahona for decades. We're not outsiders running a program — we're neighbors building a future together.
Leadership
Board of Directors & Advisors
A team of volunteers committed to the mission. Every board member gives their time for free — just like the program itself.
All board members serve as volunteers. Bios will be updated with personal statements as provided.
The Transparency Pledge
We believe every dollar you give should go directly to the kids it's meant for. Not to office rent, not to administrative bloat. Here's how we make that happen.
100% of donations go to the DR
Every dollar you give goes directly to the program in Barahona. US operations are funded separately through grants and outside support — not from your donation.
Full transparency, always
We show you exactly where your money goes. Monthly updates, impact reports, and direct communication with the team on the ground.
Verified 501(c)(3)
EIN: 85-0947825. Candid Gold Seal 2025. All donations are tax-deductible. We operate with the highest standards of nonprofit accountability.
25 years of community trust
This isn't a new operation. Brian's relationships in Barahona go back to 1998. The community knows us, trusts us, and works alongside us every day.
The Team
Locally led. Always.
Dominican staff run the program. Brian supports from the US and visits regularly.
Left: Brian today · Top right: Barahona community visit · Bottom right: DR mission, 1999
Founder & President
Brian Straley
Brigham City, Utah
Brian first arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1998 as a 19-year-old LDS missionary. He fell in love with the people, the culture, and the game of baseball — and built relationships that have lasted 25 years.
He works full-time at Northrop Grumman and leads Empower Baseball with a commitment to keeping overhead low and impact high. The priority has always been the same: maximize every dollar for the kids in Barahona.
"We don't just want these kids to play baseball. We want them to graduate. We want them to have choices. Baseball is the hook — education is the mission."
Head Coach
Ulises Batista
Barahona, DR
Dominican-born coach who runs daily practices, manages league games, and mentors every player on the field. The heartbeat of the program on the ground.
General Manager
Bernarda Acosta
Barahona, DR
Manages all operations, communicates with families and schools, and ensures every player meets academic standards. Brian's 25-year relationship with Bernarda is the foundation of the program.
Content Creator
Rosa
Barahona, DR
Captures the real stories from the ground — the practices, the games, the moments that matter. Rosa makes sure the world sees what's happening in Barahona.
