EPIC Long Island Hosts Unforgettable Prom Experience for Over 150 Attendees

East Meadow, New York–EPIC Long Island recently hosted its highly anticipated second annual Prom, welcoming more than 150 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) from across Long Island for a festive afternoon filled with dancing, games, music and celebration. Joined by supportive staff and community members, guests enjoyed a vibrant and inclusive event designed to be a day full of celebration and memory-making.

“Our annual prom is an event that families and members of our community look forward to all year,” said Lisa Burch, MPH, CEO/President of the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. “Seeing our attendees dressed to impress, smiling and dancing is truly inspiring. Like many of our other community events, prom underscores the power of inclusion and joy.”

This year’s theme, “Arabian Nights,” transformed EPIC’s Day Habilitation facility into a magical world of wonder, complete with themed photo ops, elegant décor and live entertainment. Adding a special touch, many of the decorations were created by EPIC’s own program participants and staff, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to creativity, empowerment and community connection.

The event’s success was made possible by the dedication and enthusiasm of EPIC Long Island’s counselors, caregivers and program staff, who worked tirelessly to create an atmosphere where every individual felt seen, celebrated, and supported.

The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies comprises three organizations that provide advocacy and healthcare resources for families and communities throughout Long Island. EPIC Long Island operates a Day Habilitation program in East Meadow along with 18 group homes located throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties and provides clinical services for children and adults who have developmental disabilities. These facilities are led by incredible caregivers who offer support and help facilitate wonderful experiences and programs for those in their care. Each of EPIC Long Island’s residences is unique, and the individuals who live there have various abilities as well as life challenges.

The Epilepsy Foundation Long Island helps raise awareness and provides vital advocacy and resources for the more than 35,000 Long Islanders who have been diagnosed with epilepsy and suffer from seizures. This includes providing community education in schools and healthcare venues and offering Seizure First Aid Certification to help train Long Islanders to provide immediate care for someone experiencing a seizure. Surprisingly, 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime.

The South Shore Guidance Center in Freeport is an outpatient behavioral health clinic within the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. It provides a wide range of care for Long Islanders of all ages to accommodate the unique needs of children, adolescents, and adults. This includes individual, group, and family psychotherapy, substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, and medication-assisted treatment.

For more information about the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies and how to support their initiatives, visit www.epicli.org