Youth Programs
EPIC offers social and emotional learning programs for young people in the community through our EPIC Pals and EPIC Lens programs.
Both programs provide opportunities for young people to engage in fun activities while building relationships with other youths and adults and learning skills including self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision making. Both programs are offered at different times throughout the year on a referral-only basis.
EPIC Pals
Relying on the human-animal bond to support healthy youth development.
EPIC Pals works to build qualities like compassion, empathy, and dedication to service in young people by focusing on the bond between people and animals, and by raising awareness about animals in need. EPIC Pals also works to empower young people with skills that can help them better identify their own goals and work toward those goals while developing more self-confidence.
EPIC Pals has been offered in a variety of school and after-school settings and can be adapted to fit the needs of various groups.
The EPIC Pals program is supported with funding from the United Way of Southeast Missouri.
EPIC Lens
In EPIC Lens young people meet regularly to learn about photography.
Students are provided with a camera during the program that they use to take photographs. Lens participants learn about concepts that are connected to photography and life beyond photography including perspective, awareness, storytelling and emotions. Students are able to print photographs in class and the series typically ends with an exhibit featuring the students’ work.
Want to Learn More?
To learn more about EPIC Pals or EPIC Lens, contact Jessica at services@epicprevention.org