EPIC Society

About EPIC Society:

Founded in 1996, the Educational Program Innovations Charity (EPIC) Society aims to “advance marginalized learners through innovation, empathy, volunteerism, diversity and partnership.” EPIC focuses on the learning needs of Aboriginal, African-Canadian, and other Nova Scotia youth who lack the resources or support system needed to enhance their education. Its programs include the Youth Peer program, Breakthrough program, Parents PEACE program, and scholarships and volunteerism awards. The charity’s head office is in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

EPIC’s Youth Peer program is an after-school 1-on-1 mentoring and tutoring program for youth ages 8 to 18 in Cape Breton. Mentors help youth overcome personal obstacles, guiding them through social activities and academic achievements. In addition to the Peer program running 5 days per week in Sydney, the charity introduced the Youth Peer Outreach program in F2018. This program runs 1 session per week in each of Glace Bay, Northside and New Waterford in F2018. The expansion of the program to these three new communities increase mentor matches to 1,486, a 32% increased compared to F2017. 108 high-risk youth participants were engaged over 7,430 hours in F2018.

The charity’s Breakthrough program is a Tuesday night program for youth ages 15 to 30 who are current or former Youth Peer participants. The program aims to reduce personal and interpersonal risks and promote on-going social adaptiveness in marginalized youth. Guest presenters are invited to provide additional insights related to mental health, addictions, and other issues arising from group discussion. In F2018, the program served 10 youth, averaging 6 participants each week.

EPIC Society’s Parents PEACE program is a weekly parenting workshop for caregivers with school-aged children. In F2018, an average of 6 caregivers attended each week. During the year, guest speakers covered topics such as adolescent mental health, bullying, addictions, anger management and teen sexuality.

The charity also helps underprivileged youth by providing scholarships and volunteer awards. In F2018, 3 graduating high school students were awarded $500 each. 2 graduating post-secondary students received volunteerism awards of $500.

Results and Impact: EPIC Society reports that 49 Youth Peer participants and 23 Youth Outreach participants were assessed over a 4-month period. The average improvement in social and academic attachment indicators was 31% for Youth Peer and 26% for Outreach in F2018. Charity Intelligence gave EPIC Society an impact rating of Good for proven impact per dollar (see impact grid on the bottom right).

Financial Review:

EPIC Society is a Small charity with donations of $130k in F2017. It also received $40k of funding from the Province of Nova Scotia in F2017, $20k more than it received in F2015. Administrative costs are 2% of total revenues. The charity does not report fundraising costs in its audited financial statements or in its T3010 filing. For every $1 donated to the charity, $0.98 goes towards its programs and grants, falling outside of Ci’s reasonable range. EPIC Society’s funding reserves of $73k can cover 5 months of annual program costs, indicating a need for donations.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to the Educational Program Innovations Charity Society for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 20, 2018 by Derek Houlberg.