our mission

EMPOWERED SMILES INITIATIVE

Empowered Smiles Initiative is a community-driven, youth-led program with strong, growing partnerships among community-based organizations that serve the unhoused and undeserved across eastern Los Angeles  County and Orange County. Founded in 2025, ESI works alongside partners such as orthodontist Dr. Kenneth J. Tsang to deliver dental hygiene resources and oral health education to those who need them most.
EXPLORE
WHY WE STARTED      /      MEET THE BOARD      /      OUR COMMITTEES
Co-founder Peter Lee at the Red Cross resource fair where ESI began
Co-founder Peter Lee at the Red Cross resource fair where ESI began

why we started

IT ALL BEGAN AT A LOCAL RESOURCE FAIR…

...where co-founder Peter Lee noticed something easy to overlook: people had access to many resources, but free dental essentials weren't among them. That gap stuck with him. Teaming up with co-founder Kenneth Jin, whose passion for medicine fueled the vision, Peter set out to do something about it. 

Together, they founded Empowered Smiles Initiative in 2025 — a youth-led nonprofit built on the belief that everyone deserves a healthy smile. What started as a single observation has since grown into a community-driven 501(c)(3) dedicated to creating lasting change through access, education, and care.
meet the board
Kenneth Jin, co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative

Kenneth Jin

Co-Founder & Co-President
Kenneth serves as co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative, directing dental research, kit optimization, event logistics, and website development while managing the internal affairs that sustain the organization's daily operations.
Peter Lee, co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative

Peter Lee

Co-Founder & Co-President
As co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative, Peter leads the team while leading fundraising and grant efforts, spearheading community outreach, and managing external relations and partnerships to advance our mission.
Kenneth Jin, co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative

Emma Li

Vice President
Emma serves as Vice President of Empowered Smiles Initiative, overseeing all organizational activities and acting as the key link between the team and the co-founders.
Peter Lee, co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative

Evan Tsang

Fundraising and Kit Director
Evan serves as Fundraising and Kit Director for Empowered Smiles Initiative, overseeing kit contents, manufacturer relationships, and grant applications to support the logistical backbone of our work.
Kenneth Jin, co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative

Liliana Lee

Media and Branding Director
Liliana leads Empowered Smiles Initiative's social media team and powers our creative vision, overseeing branding, graphic design, and website design, helping bring our mission to life across every platform.
Peter Lee, co-founder of Empowered Smiles Initiative

Sophie Yu

Secretary
Sophie serves as Secretary of Empowered Smiles Initiative, lending experienced guidance while managing the technical behind-the-scenes operations and logistics that keep the organization on track.

our committees

SOCIAL MEDIA

Liliana Lee, Media & Branding Director                                      Allison Shibuya, Committee Member                                                                                                                          Jacob Chao, Committee Member

TECHNOLOGY

Ocean Leung, Lead & Advisor

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ethan Tsai, Photographer                                                                                                            Matthieu Jette, Photographer