Purpose Driven Advocacy Center: A History of Growing Impact

For more than three decades, the work now known as the Purpose Driven Advocacy Center (PDAC) has been rooted in a simple belief: every child has potential, every family deserves support, and every community is strengthened when people are given the tools to succeed.

While PDAC was formally established as a Nebraska nonprofit organization in 2009 and received its federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that same year, its story began long before incorporation papers were filed. The organization's history is deeply connected to the outreach ministry of Joy of Life Ministries and the vision of its founders, Pastor Eric Butler and Dr. Cynthia Butler.

Foundations in Community Service

The origins of PDAC can be traced back to the mid-1990s through community outreach efforts led by Joy of Life Ministries in Omaha, Nebraska. According to organizational records, one of the earliest initiatives was the Rescue Rangers Club, a summer program launched in 1995 to serve children living in some of Omaha's most underserved neighborhoods.

The program provided far more than recreation. Children received breakfast and lunch, academic support, character development, Bible lessons, music instruction, and opportunities to participate in community activities. What began as a summer outreach quickly revealed a deeper need within the community—many students required year-round educational support and advocacy.

As youth leaders and volunteers worked alongside students, they discovered that academic struggles often stemmed from challenges extending beyond the classroom. Students needed tutoring, mentoring, individualized attention, and advocates who could help them navigate educational systems and life circumstances.

These observations would eventually shape the mission that became the Purpose Driven Advocacy Center.

From Ministry Outreach to Educational Advocacy

As the needs of local families grew, Joy of Life Ministries expanded its community service efforts. Clothing giveaways, educational assistance, and youth development programs became regular parts of the ministry's work.

One pivotal development occurred when church leaders recognized that students attending Wednesday evening programs needed more than occasional homework help. What began as informal tutoring evolved into structured academic support. Additional days were set aside for students who required individualized intervention, transportation assistance, and educational guidance.

This effort eventually became Student Advocacy Services (SAS), an educational intervention and remediation program designed to help students overcome academic, behavioral, and learning challenges.

The SAS model focused on evaluating student needs, developing customized intervention plans, providing tutoring and remediation, and partnering with families to improve educational outcomes. Rather than offering temporary assistance, the program emphasized long-term success and personal growth.

As the organization later described it, the goal was not simply academic achievement but helping students reach a level of "Studentship"—a commitment to excellence in learning, behavior, and personal development.

The Birth of Summer Youth Academy

As Student Advocacy Services expanded, leaders recognized that many educational gains made during the school year were being lost during the summer months.

In response, the Summer Youth Academy (SYA) was developed as an extension of the advocacy model. The program combined academic enrichment with recreation, arts, leadership development, field trips, and life-skills training.

Summer Youth Academy served students from kindergarten through eighth grade, offering reading, math, language arts, enrichment activities, meals, and social development opportunities. Over time, the program became one of PDAC's signature initiatives.

The academy was built around the belief that education should continue beyond the traditional school year and that summer could be a time of growth rather than academic decline.

One story shared by the organization's founders illustrates why the program mattered so deeply.

During an early summer program, staff noticed an 11-year-old girl who attended faithfully each day with her younger siblings. Volunteers encouraged her to spend time with children her own age instead of carrying the responsibilities of a parent. For a few hours each day, she was able to simply be a child.

When the siblings suddenly stopped attending, staff later learned that the children had been sneaking out of their home to participate in the program because their mother struggled with substance abuse and instability. The children viewed the summer program as a safe place to learn, eat, and experience normal childhood activities.

Stories like these reinforced the organization's commitment to advocacy and demonstrated the importance of providing safe, supportive environments for young people facing difficult circumstances.

Establishing Purpose Driven Advocacy Center

By 2009, the educational and community support efforts had grown to a scale that required a dedicated nonprofit organization. Purpose Driven Advocacy Center, Inc. was officially incorporated in Nebraska and received federal nonprofit status.

The organization's mission centered on three interconnected areas:

Educational advocacy and academic intervention
Youth development and enrichment
Community advancement and family support

Programs offered through PDAC included:

Student advocacy services
Academic tutoring and remediation
Summer youth programming
Reading, mathematics, and language arts support
Individualized educational planning
Workforce readiness training
Resume development and interview coaching
School supply and backpack distributions
Clothing giveaways and community outreach initiatives

While many programs focused on serving families in North Omaha, PDAC welcomed participants from throughout the Omaha metropolitan area.

The Influence of Cynthia Butler

The development of PDAC closely reflects the professional and educational background of its founder and longtime Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia Butler.

A lifelong educator with advanced degrees in education and educational administration, Butler built the organization around the belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for changing lives. Her work emphasized advocacy, individualized support, and helping students discover strengths that might otherwise go unnoticed.

This philosophy became captured in one of the organization's most recognizable themes:

"Find the Genius in Every Learner."

Rather than focusing on deficits, PDAC sought to identify and develop each student's unique gifts, abilities, and potential.

Under Dr. Butler's leadership, educational support was paired with mentorship, family engagement, workforce preparation, and life-skills development, creating a holistic approach to community impact.

Growth and Expansion

Over the years, PDAC expanded its reach and organizational capacity. Operating from 6401 North 56th Street alongside Joy of Life Ministries, the organization became a familiar presence in Omaha's educational and nonprofit communities.

A major milestone came with the development of the Dr. John Louis Butler Education and Community Center, named in honor of educator and civil rights attorney Dr. John Louis Butler. The facility provided expanded classroom and office space and created new opportunities for educational programming, advocacy services, and community engagement.

Continuing the Mission

Today, the Purpose Driven Advocacy Center stands as the result of decades of community service, educational advocacy, and faith-driven outreach.

What began as a small summer program serving neighborhood children evolved into a comprehensive nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students succeed academically, professionally, and personally.

Throughout its history, the mission has remained remarkably consistent: to provide a hand up rather than a handout, to advocate for those who need support, and to help every learner discover their potential.

From the Rescue Rangers Club of 1995 to the establishment of PDAC in 2009 and beyond, the organization has remained committed to transforming lives through education, advocacy, and opportunity—continuing its work to ensure that every student has the chance to thrive and every family has access to the support needed for success.

As the organization enters its next chapter, that commitment remains as strong as ever. Under the leadership of Executive Director EJay Johnson, PDAC is building upon the foundation established by its founders while responding to the evolving needs of today's youth and families. With a renewed focus on educational enrichment, youth development, community engagement, and family support, the organization continues to create pathways for opportunity and success throughout Omaha and beyond.

The story of PDAC is ultimately a story of people—educators, mentors, advocates, volunteers, parents, and students—who believed that investing in others could change lives. Their dedication has left a lasting impact on countless individuals and families, and their legacy continues to inspire the work being done today.

As PDAC looks toward the future, it remains guided by the same principles that shaped its beginnings: service, advocacy, education, and faith. The organization's mission is not only to honor its history but also to expand its impact, ensuring that future generations have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.