Equity Matters
In the world of youth sports, there is a widening gap of opportunities based on socioeconomic status. The cost of equipment, lack of safe places for youth to play, and the cost of available quality coaching for youth living in areas of poverty, are the greatest challenges. Women/girls in sport face additional challenges such as fighting double standards and stereotypes of what it means to be a woman or girl in sport, secondhand support, secondhand resources, and lack of investment.
These challenges are exacerbated even further using the lens of a women or girl of color. Women and girls of color playing or working in sport are significantly overlooked when it comes to investment and support and are a marginalized group that would profit the most when provided equitable access to the benefits sport provides for individuals, teams, and communities.
Since 2016, EPIC has provided over $1.4M to 18 local organizations supporting girl’s athletics in underserved areas. In 2022, 1,500 girls participated in EPIC sponsored programs, building a leadership pipeline providing opportunities for girls to gain the same benefits and lifelong leadership skills through sport as boys/youth that may experience lower barriers to participation and retention.
In a recent look at the demographic data, EPIC programming recipients reported their racial identity as: 75% Black/African American, 11% Caucasian, 9% Multi-Racial, 2% Asian, .2 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and .2% Native American/Indigenous. EPIC programming targets programs servings girls residing and attending school in North and South Omaha (Omaha North, Omaha Benson, Omaha Central, Omaha South, Omaha Northwest, Monroe Middle School, Nathan Hale Middle School, McMillan Magnet School, and Morton Middle School).
Our Girls Matter
EPIC for Girls is committed to cataloging and addressing issues facing our athletes including incidents of violence occurring across Omaha and the state of Nebraska. Over the past several years, displays of gross racism and discrimination have garnered some attention, but not the attention needed to make a positive change in our community(ies) and for our athletes.
For these reasons, EPIC for Girls has developed a safe place to report your concerns. Please see below for more information.
The Process
- Please click on the “Report an Incident” button below.
- Provide as much information as possible, any witnesses, name(s) of offending party(ies), name(s) of victim, contact information.
- Upload screenshots, videos, etc. that will help the committee understand the incident.
- Once a report is received, a select committee will review the information and select one/some of the options below:
- Prepare a public response
- Contact school/local authorities
- Forward the information to the most appropriate party
EPIC for Girls will collect your personal contact information; however, that information will not be shared unless the contents of the report require a report to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and/or the police, as stated in Nebraska Revised Statute 28-711.
