EPIC programs continue to help at risk youth.
Programs provide assistance with academics, socialization
For 20 years, EPIC has been helping at-risk youth learn academic and social skills with success. Now they are part of a pilot program funded by the provincial Department of Education to bring more tutoring to other areas of the island.
The Outreach program is a one-year pilot project in partnership with SchoolsPlus and is happening in all eight Nova Scotia school districts. In the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the program is sending tutors to Sydney Mines, Albert Bridge and New Waterford.
While SchoolsPlus is running the program, EPIC (Educational Program Innovations Charity) is in charge of the volunteer tutors who they are training.
Barry Waldman, EPIC supervisor, said the program is different because its peer educators are only a few years older than the high-risk youth they are serving.
“It’s huge for the kids because a lot of the issues they have are with self-esteem, difficulty making friends and not feeling accepted at school,” he explains. “So when they are placed, one on one, with someone who’s cool and older and nice and accepting, in this context of a group setting, that really feels different to them.”
There is also a difference between Outreach and EPIC. Outreach is focused on academic success whereas EPIC focuses on academics and socialization.
“We go to great lengths to try to do things where the kids empower themselves. So whatever they do in life they can bring this with them,” he said with a smile that grows as he continues.
“We try to help these youths see that life isn’t all horrible and that there are people out there who care and are invested in them.”
Often the youth who are referred to EPIC have problems socializing or making friends and many live in poverty or with family members who suffer from addiction. Some have learning disabilities or mental health needs, so having people who are invested in them is essential.
In fact, many participants don’t want to leave EPIC after they have graduated from high school and are no longer eligible for the youth peer program, which is why the Breakthrough program was formed.
“This is family to them,” said Waldman explaining why they don’t want to leave. “They tend to get into trouble more than others might and they tend to know what keeps them out of trouble. But they need someone to guide them without judgment and that is what Breakthrough does.”
Stephanie Rice agrees. A former youth peer participant who is now working as a full-time electrician, the 21-year-old is part of the Breakthrough group and enjoys every minute.
“They are like my second family,” she said in a phone interview. “It’s a place where you can have a bad day or week and you can go there and vent. There’s always someone there to talk to you.”
Rice was referred to EPIC in junior high. A victim of bullying, her marks were dropping and she was becoming more withdrawn. EPIC changed that.
“I don’t think I would have done so well in high school if it wasn’t for EPIC. You get shy and stuff when you don’t have confidence. You don’t want to try in school. You just think you’re being the cool kid who doesn’t try.”
Stephanie Rice, electrician, former youth peer participant
“I don’t think I would have done so well in high school if it wasn’t for EPIC,” she admits. “You get shy and stuff when you don’t have confidence. You don’t want to try in school. You just think you’re being the cool kid who doesn’t try.”
Kelsey MacNeil is a program assistant who started as a volunteer tutor — a mentor in high school. She thinks the welcoming environment is what makes the program successful.
“One time a bully and the person they were bullying were in the program at the same time,” she recalls. “Now they are really tight knit, best friends. I think that’s because of how welcoming we are and how we show them the importance of being nice to people.”
Waldman agrees, “Kids come in and talk to each other about things they go through and sensible ways to deal with them. Basically, they are a gang of doing good.”
EPIC accepts students based on referral from a community agency like the Whitney Pier Boys and Girls Club. If you want to find out more, call 902539-8228.