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Vias RD was formerly known as Empower Baseball . The new name reflects our expanded mission to create pathways out of poverty through education, mentorship, athletics, and opportunity.
Creating Vias
out of poverty.
Vias RD creates ways forward for youth in Barahona through education, athletics, mentorship, and opportunity. Sports may open the door through the Baseball Via and Girls Softball Via, but education is where the future is built.
Vias RD is operated by The Straley Project, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity.
What Is Vias RD?
Vias means ways.
We create ways forward.
In Spanish, vías means ways, routes, or paths. We chose the name because every young person starts from a different place. Some enter through education. Others through baseball, softball, mentorship, or future opportunities still being built.
Current Impact
The work is already happening.
Explore The Vias
Four ways into the mission.
Each Via plays a different role in the larger Vias RD ecosystem. Together, they create pathways toward education, mentorship, and opportunity.
Watch & Listen
Stories from Barahona
Real voices from families, athletes, and supporters connected to the Vias RD mission.
Long-Term Vision
Build deeply.
Then build again.
Vias RD’s immediate focus is Barahona. We believe meaningful impact happens through long-term relationships, local leadership, and sustained investment in one community at a time.
Once the model is strong, the vision is to partner with additional Dominican communities and adapt the Vias model to local needs while keeping education, mentorship, athletics, and opportunity at the center. To talk about partnership, contact Vias RD.
Explore The ModelToday
Build In Barahona
Next
Strengthen The Model
Future
Serve More Communities
Help Create More Vias
Every gift helps a young person find a way forward.
Your support keeps three baseball teams active, helps three girls continue practicing, supports school accountability and mentorship, and moves the future Vias Learning Center closer to reality.
Latest Posts
Follow Along
Every follow, share, and comment helps more people discover Vias RD and keeps more kids connected to school, mentorship, and opportunity.
Follow the story from Barahona and help us reach the next donor, sponsor, volunteer, or camp family.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
A quick guide to Vias RD, our programs, and how your support helps students in Barahona.
What is Vias RD?
Vias RD is a nonprofit initiative creating ways forward for youth in Barahona, Dominican Republic through education, athletics, mentorship, and opportunity.
What does “Vias” mean?
“Vias” means ways, routes, or paths. Vias RD creates ways out of poverty through education, athletics, mentorship, and opportunity.
Where does Vias RD work?
Vias RD works in Barahona, Dominican Republic, supporting youth and families through local relationships and community-based programs.
What is the Education Via?
The Education Via is Vias RD’s community education initiative. Through the future Vias Learning Center, students will have access to tutoring, English classes, STEM workshops, technology, mentorship, and life-skills support.
Do students have to play sports to receive support?
No. Baseball and softball are important entry points, but the Vias Learning Center is being built as a community resource for students in Barahona, including youth who do not play sports.
What is the Baseball Via?
The Baseball Via is Vias RD’s education-first baseball program in Barahona. Through Los Piratas del Sur, student-athletes train and compete while remaining enrolled in school and accountable academically.
Is the Girls Softball Via active?
Girls Softball Via is in its early stages, with three girls currently practicing and helping build the foundation for a future team.
Are donations tax deductible?
Vias RD is operated by The Straley Project, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.