EPIC, however, has a presence in 16 states and the Virgin Islands. A victim of violence in the late 1970s, Buffalo businessman Edmund Wilson founded the effort after his wife was murdered in a robbery by a young man the couple had befriended. Wilson realized that after being tossed into 11 foster homes and experiencing little love or understanding, the boy had no alternative but to act in anger and violence. This tall order is tackled daily in the room at Benjamin Cosor School, which serves as a resource library, meeting place, referral service and parent-support group. And if necessary, the trio will make house calls to help families.
Services are available in both English and Spanish.
Having the center in an elementary school also solidifies the close link between the EPIC effort and education.