EmpowerMT believes that safe communities start with safe schools and supported, empowered, young people. All programs will be offered virtually for the Fall season and, as always, are FREE to the community.
EPIC: EPIC stands for Empowering People, Inspiring Change. EPIC is a youth leadership club offered after school for middle school-age youth. EPIC has been empowering young leaders in the Missoula community since 2003! The EPIC program seeks to break isolation and build allies across group lines, understand the causes of oppression, strengthen the connection to school through mentorships, and increase skills & confidence in diffusing conflict.
Youth Forward & Be You Crew: The mission of Youth Forward (ages 13-19) & Be You Crew (Ages 9-14) is to provide a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit youth to connect with peers, discuss issues relevant to their lives, explore identity, and learn more about the ever-expanding LGBTQ+, Two-Spirit, & Gender diverse community and how other identities intersect. This space and the connections made within Youth Forward & Be You Crew are intended to empower and support queer youth leadership.
Youth Advisory Council (YAC): (must receive nomination letter to sign up.) EmpowerMT is committed to developing youth leaders and values creating an authentic representation of our constituencies at all levels of the organization. In order to achieve these objectives, EmpowerMT established its Youth Advisory Council. EmpowerMT youth programs participants, volunteers, and staff select outstanding youth from all of EmpowerMT’s programs with diverse backgrounds and experiences to create the perfect team each year. The Youth Advisory Council is comprised of students from ages 10-21 to ensure a diverse range of expertise.
BIPOC: EmpowerMT will be offering a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) youth group. We recognize that being a student of color in predominantly white schools is a very isolating experience and therefore wants to give BIPOC youth an opportunity to connect with each other. This group will give students of color an opportunity to feel supported in their racial identity, learn a more racially diverse and inclusive history, and take action against mistreatment discrimination.