Empowering People For Inclusive Communities (EPIC): Celebrating the 2024 Service Warrior Graduates
Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC) is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments through leadership development and community service. Its flagship program is called Service Warriors, which runs two cohorts in Worcester and Boston. This program engages young adults with disabilities, empowering them to address community needs through collaborative projects. This year, the 2024 Service Warriors in both cities made remarkable contributions through their respective Legacy Projects.
Worcester Service Warriors: Breaking Barriers With an Accessible Job Fair
The Worcester Service Warrior team has demonstrated incredible growth in team building, communication, and collaboration. Their Legacy Project focused on creating an Accessible Job Fair to address the high unemployment rate among people with disabilities. This initiative was designed to provide a supportive environment for job seekers with disabilities and to connect them directly with employers actively seeking diverse talent.
The job fair aimed to showcase employers committed to inclusive hiring practices and to provide job seekers with disabilities the opportunity to explore various career options. Through this project, the Worcester Service Warriors created lasting change in their community by promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Sara, a Worcester Service Leader serving her second Warrior year as a peer mentor, shared her perspective on the program: “I saw how some of them (Service Warriors) started to open up after the training, which I loved. It helped bring us closer together. We are not defined by our disabilities. We are not vegetables or dumb. We are fighters.”
Boston Service Warriors: Promoting a Healthy Watershed by Constructing a New Rain Garden
In Boston, the Service Warrior team dedicated the second half of their year to learning about watersheds and the city’s water management needs. Their focus was on understanding how rainwater becomes polluted and exploring solutions to mitigate this issue. Collaborating with the Neponset River Watershed Association and the City of Boston, the team decided to create a rain garden for their Legacy Project.
The rain garden, located in the West Street Urban Wild in Hyde Park, aims to increase vegetation and reduce water pollution. By capturing and filtering rainwater, the garden helps to prevent runoff from polluting local waterways. This project not only enhances the park’s aesthetic appeal, but also contributes to environmental sustainability in the community.
Jacob, a Boston Service Leader, is enthusiastic and passionate about volunteering and community service. His involvement with EPIC has allowed him to partake in meaningful projects that benefit his community throughout the last year. Jacob’s enthusiasm for making a difference is evident in his work with the Boston Service Warriors and says that “spending my time helping others and helping my community is what I enjoy most about being an EPIC Service Warrior.”
Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead
The 2024 Service Warriors graduated in June, which marks a significant milestone for both teams. Their Legacy Projects reflect their dedication, hard work, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. As EPIC continues to support and empower young adults with disabilities, the success of these projects highlights the importance of inclusive community service and the potential for transformative change.
The Worcester Accessible Job Fair and the Boston Rain Garden are testaments to what can be achieved when individuals come together to address unmet needs. These projects not only benefit the immediate community, but also set a precedent for future Service Warriors to follow. As we celebrate the achievements of the 2024 graduates, we look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the future. We’re also excited for the new group of dedicated Service Warriors, and look forward to seeing all they do over the next year!