EPIC brings help to residents in need

The First United Methodist Church of Commerce has started a community project, Eliminating Poverty in Commerce (EPIC). It aims to reduce the effects of poverty on Commerce and its citizens by providing poverty stricken families with tools and resources. Pastor Lisa Greenwood Wolcott is a leader in the effort.

"EPIC is an effort to mobilize the community into action to break the cycle of generational poverty right here in Commerce," Wolcott said. "We know poverty is an enormous problem in Commerce. Most importantly, its effects rob people of their ability to fully participate in society, but also it impacts the city's ability to grow and flourish and unfortunately perpetuates itself for generations."

Wolcott said EPIC began as a result of the evident need for major solutions to poverty seen by members of First United Methodist Church.

Once it was seen just how dire the situation in Commerce was, they began to act on it as soon as possible.

"We quickly began to involve others, including representatives from other churches and the community, particularly the Rotary Club," Wolcott said.

Communities in Schools is a project she highlighted as one thing EPIC worked to get in Commerce.

They cooperated with Commerce ISD to help bring in the program which works with students in danger of failing by addressing the distractions they have.

In fact, much of the projects in EPIC involve education, which is thought by its volunteers to be the best way to break the cycle of poverty.

"Just as we continue to support Communities in Schools which seeks to resource children to be successful in school, we desire to surround every household living in poverty with resources to help them live without outside, financial assistance," Wolcott said.

Texas A&M University-Commerce is also lending its fair share of help.

Assistant head of the department of curriculum and instruction Carole Walker, department of counseling member Lavelle Hendricks, Gene Lockhart, department of agriculture's Jim Heitholt, campus minister Aleze Fulbright, the wife of President Dan Jones, Jalinna Jones, and more are involved in EPIC projects.

Nathan Cole, leader of the campus Christian fellowship group Chi Alpha, is a huge supporter and looks to get his group involved.

"When I first heard about the concept of EPIC, my heart was stirred," Cole said. "I feel that EPIC is exactly the kind of ambitious goal that students can get behind and commit themselves to see actual change in our local community."

Cole says the elimination of poverty in today's economy is an achievable goal. He calls on college students to come together.

"As much as I joke about college students being broke, the truth is that just by having the opportunity to attend college, students are among a very privileged group," Cole said.

"I think it is very important that students awaken to reality of the needs in our community and respond with contributions to a solution that will meet long term needs, rather than band-aid solutions."

Communities in Schools is only one of a few ways EPIC is trying to achieve its goals.

"In the Circles Campaign, households living in poverty are the 'Circle Leader' and participate in training to help get out of poverty," Wolcott said.

"Allies surround each circle leader and help them access resources and help coach them in essential life skills."

The community garden project, which Heitholt co-chairs, involves four acres behind First United Methodist Church where people can grow their own food.

EPIC volunteers will also grow their own food to share amongst those in need.

"It will take a combined community effort if we are going to impact the cycle of poverty in our city," Wolcott said.