Statements

Mission

EPIC GIRL EXISTS TO EMPOWER GIRLS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, MENTORING, COUNSELING, AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.WE FOCUS ON DEFINING OUR PAST AND RECOGNIZING HOW IT CAN SHAPE US BUT NOT ALLOWING IT TO DEFINE OUR FUTURE. AT EPIC GIRL, WE BELIEVE EVERY GIRL IS ONE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION AWAY FROM BECOMING THE HERO THEY ARE MEANT TO BE.

Background

In 2015, EPIC Girl was created through a partnership with Davidson County Juvenile Court with the goal of providing supportive programming and mentorship to female adolescents 12-18, who are at greatest risk for exploitation due to past trauma, poverty and negative peer influence. EPIC Girl accomplishes its work through services offered on-site at the Juvenile Justice Center and at its agency offices in the Youth Opportunity Center at 1704 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville TN. By embedding its workers in both facilities that are located adjacent to the neighborhoods many of its participants reside in, EPIC Girl provides greater access and outreach, removing barriers to services to an often marginalized population. Since its inception, EPIC Girl has educated over 250 girls using curriculum modeled on the theoretical foundations of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Critical Youth Empowerment (CYE) Theory. In 2016, Epic Girl expanded programming by adding mentoring to its menu of services so that girls are matched with a an adult female upon the completion of Identity and Empowerment classes.

Impact

In 2017 EPIC Girl has provided evaluation and programming on-site at Juvenile Court to 160 girls referred by the Juvenile Courts in Davidson and Williamson Counties. We've served 44 girls through our school based empowerment program. 62 girls have taken part in our long-term Empowerment curriculum gaining insight on healthy relationships, boundaries, self-esteem, and resolving conflict. 25 women have completed mentor training and committed to championing girls through meaningful relationships. We have also screened 148 runaway females through a collaborative grant with the courts, the Department of Children's Services, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to assess safety, identify girls who may be victims of trafficking or exploitation, and connect them to appropriate services. Through this screening process we've identified 13 girls who fit the criteria for trafficked youth or are at very high risk. We have partnered with the Sexual Assault Center (SAC) to educate girls on sexual boundaries and helped connect them to an SAC counselor to build strength and find their voice. We've educated 9 girls in juvenile detention who have delinquent offenses and advocated for 7 girls who are in the custody of the state, helping them find strength and use their strengths through difficult circumstances. We've trained over 200 court and state employees to recognize risk indicators for negative consequences in girls and help them engage in opportunities that change their outcomes.

Needs

Filling these needs are critical to the continued growth of our agency: Funding to support the salary of a full-time Mental Health clinician, full-time administrative support and case management. The development of a diverse stream of revenue for day-to-day agency operations and infra-structure. In-kind or cash contributions for marketing efforts that will increase community awareness, stakeholders and allow greater outreach. Revenue to support the training of 50 additional adult mentors each year so more girls are linked to caring, supportive adults. Funding to support expansion as EPIC Girl grows.

CEO Statement

I've always understood that it can be harder for women to do things. In life, we are often told 'girls don't do that' or 'that's not a job suited for a woman." And then, even after we leap obstacles and persevere through the task of balancing of family and career, women are told things like 'you only got this because you're pretty' or 'maybe you should just observe." We are punished for speaking our minds, chastised for having opinions, and called pushy, aggressive and difficult. I started EPIC Girl because I saw girls like me who had dreams and just needed help realizing them. These girls had an unfair disadvantage because of the hand they were dealt. And yet, they still had this glint in their eyes that said 'I want more." I just couldn't stand the thought of them floundering, trying to find their way amidst all the messages saying we can't have it all or we're not worthy or good enough. So I thought "What if a lot of strong, empowered, sometimes pushy, complex and beautiful women got together and showed the younger women that they were strong, capable and amazing?" That would be EPIC!! We should start that and change the world and inspire each other to go for it.' And so we did. We started EPIC Girl and we are strong, and beautiful, opinionated and EPIC.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Youth Development  - Girls Clubs
Secondary Category:	Public & Societal Benefit  - Alliances & Advocacy
Tertiary Category:	Mental Health & Crisis Intervention  - Support NEC

Areas Served

EPIC Girl's services are offered at the Davidson County Juvenile Court and its agency located in a densely populated and economically underprivileged area with limited resources. All girls from across the greater Nashville area are eligible to receive services.

TN - Davidson