12/09/2025
Long before Luke made his way into the world, his mother, Emily Kendall, would talk to him about life and love and aspirations. He was inspiring action even before he took his first breath.
Six years later, that blond hair, blue eyes little boy has a smile that lights up his whole body. He speaks English and American Sign Language. He listens to jokes every morning on his Alexa and will often give the wrong answer in kindergarten just to be funny. Luke also loves to read, horseback ride and play with his dogs.
He is also very emotionally intelligent, intuitively knowing who needs comfort and who needs to be less serious; and very resilient. His colon condition causes him to be hospitalized numerous times throughout the year. It takes a team of medical staff to find his veins and that is difficult for him. But, always, he signs, ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you’ when it is all over.
Mark (Kendall) and Emily know one day Luke will be grown up and wanting his independence. He may want to work, contribute and live on his own. His parents, like so many other parents of children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, want him to have those opportunities.
That is why they combined their years of venture capital, commercial and real estate experience to create EmpowerMe Living, building networks of housing choices in Greater Cincinnati and across the country through social impact investments. They have been working diligently, hosting focus groups and meeting families, networking with industry champions, identifying properties and forming new partnerships.
EmpowerMe Living has three current projects. They are working with a Delhi church that is developing a single story ranch on its property for adults with developmental disabilities. EmpowerMe is also working on creating micro homes that are accessible, easy to maintain and cost effective to build. Their neuro inclusive apartment community in Anderson will include 20 one bedroom and studio apartments with a layer of support.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, visit www.empowermeliving.com.
