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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
Three ways into the mission.
Education Via, Baseball Via, and Girls Softball Via each play a different role in the larger Vias RD mission. Together, they connect young people to education, mentorship, athletics, and opportunity.
Watch & Listen
Stories from Barahona
Real voices from families, athletes, and supporters connected to the Vias RD mission.
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 our current programs, education-first approach, and how your support helps students in Barahona.
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.