COVER STORY – Epworth

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COVER STORY EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY

EPWORTH by stephanie wallace

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, Epworth has been dedicated to helping disenfranchised youth in the St. Louis community. Founded in 1864, it has continued to expand the services it offers to children and families, now including foster care, mental health resources, housing services, crisis outreach and in-home counseling. The nonprofit’s mission is to empower youth to realize their unique potential by meeting essential needs, cultivating resiliency and building community.

Last year, Epworth’s services were more important than ever. The nonprofit served more than 30,000 people. Providing critical support to youth and families meant the organization had to pivot to meet the challenges of the pandemic. President Michael Panicola says it quickly became clear that shutting down was not an option. “We have kids that receive 24/7 care and live in buildings we operate,” he says. “We had to adapt to the reality of COVID-19 and learn how to operate safely while reducing the risk of transmission.”

Epworth’s Normandy campus includes a drop-in center where youth can congregate and receive a variety of services, such as counseling, health care, and assistance with education and employment. Since people could not gather in groups, that model had to pivot, and some resources were offered virtually. “It was a challenge for our counselors to learn how to provide therapy remotely; it’s tricky to get a 7-year-old to sit for an hour,” Panicola notes. “But there were also positives. The virtual format eliminates transportation barriers, allowing us to reach more people.”

The nonprofit realized that it also would have to expand its services to better serve the evolving needs of the community. With food insecurity being such a major issue, it established a food pantry in a building adjacent to the drop-in center very quickly after the start of the shut down. “It was operating by April, and it has served around 16,000 people since it opened,” Panicola says. The food pantry currently is open to the public on Tuesdays, and the drop-in center is resuming in-person services.

To make its mission possible, Epworth relies on fundraisers and donations. “Social services often operate at a loss, so philanthropy is essential to ensuring that we can continue our programs and provide employees the support they need,” Panicola says. Last year, the organization not only didn’t lay off any workers, it also raised its minimum wage from $10.50 an hour to $15. On July 8, it will host its first annual golf tournament. The event was designed to engage donors and sponsors in a fun and safe outdoor environment. With the purchase of a ticket or sponsorship, guests receive an all-inclusive package, which includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, lunch, a reception and more.

“We’re excited to be able to bring people together and share our work and accomplishments,” Panicola notes. “I’ve been spending time on an outdoor project with some of the kids we serve. While it can be tragic to hear about the hardships they’ve faced, as they begin to open up, I also get to learn about their aspirations. Our mission is to provide opportunities to empower them to realize their full potential.” &

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