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Supporting and Protecting Tennessee Youth After Experiencing Incarceration

EPIC Youth is a collaborative initiative designed to change the nature of reentry and outcomes for Nashville and Davidson County youth who are reentering their communities after confinement in a juvenile facility. This is accomplished through a combination of computer coding classes, life skills instruction, prosocial activities, mentoring, employment support, and wraparound services.

Supporting and Protecting Tennessee Youth After Experiencing Incarceration

EPIC Youth is a collaborative initiative designed to change the nature of reentry and outcomes for Nashville/Davidson County youth who are reentering their communities after confinement in a juvenile facility. This is accomplished through a combination of computer coding classes, life skills instruction, prosocial activities, mentoring, employment support, and wraparound services.

 

Happy African American boy standing with arms folded

Left: Persevere graduate, Mark Clark breaking the cycle of recidivism with his son, Connor.
Read Mark’s Story Here. 

EMPOWERMENT    |     PERSEVERENCE    |     INNOVATION    |    COMMUNITY  

Persevere, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), the Juvenile Court of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County (JCDC), and an active collection of service providers and employers have come together to develop and implement EPIC Youth TN.

Over the next 3 years, EPIC Youth will provide comprehensive reentry services to nearly 200 youth detained in DCJDC and Wilder. These life changing services will be provided through generous, community-minded partners. 

EDUCATION IN PRISON

Computer coding classes are taught for 12 months, 5 days a week, 6 hours a day to incarcerated men and women. They are certified as full stack developers upon graduation.

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RE-ENTRY SERVICES

Transitional housing, case management, life skills training, career readiness education and access to vital resources can make the difference between success and recidivism.

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EMPLOYMENT

Technology Employment Specialists and our sister company, Banyan Labs, ensure gainful employment for Persevere graduates upon release.

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Getting Young
Lives Back on Track

Persevere disrupts the oppressive cycle of poverty and criminality by creating tech education opportunities for  justice-impacted youth. 

Teenage friends

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for EPIC Youth, the juvenile must:

  • Be confined within DCDJC or Wilder at the time of enrollment, with an expected release date within 60-180 days for DCJDC, and 6-8 months for Wilder
  • Be 13-17 years of age
  • Be planning to reside within Davidson County, Shelby County, or one of the adjacent counties
  • Have parent, DCS, JCDC approval
  • Be willing and have a desire to participate

Mentoring and career coaching volunteers

Employment and internship partners

Training and resource collaboration

Technology education opportunities
(guest speakers, educational resources, etc.)

Service provider partners for youth and families

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