EPIC’s National Real Estate Practice Donates Thousands of Dollars to Low-Income Students’ Education
The EPIC Educational Support Grant awarded 14 students in need with $3,000 each to go toward supporting higher education and brighter futures.
DENVER, CO – (RealEstateRama) – Mercy Housing, the nation’s largest affordable housing organization, partnered with the National Real Estate Practice of EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants to provide students in need with this grant for their hard work and vision. All students are residents at Mercy Housing communities. Some of these low-income students have overcome everything from homelessness to domestic violence to pursue their dreams of higher education and a better future. This funding will help offset the cost of textbooks, rent, and tuition at a time when higher education costs are at an all-time high.
This is the second year that EPIC’s National Real Estate Practice and Mercy Housing have partnered together to deliver this grant to low-income students in need.
“Low-income families face a multitude of barriers to academic success, including the cost of higher education. We are thrilled to partner with Mercy Housing for the second year, providing grants to these very deserving students. We have seen firsthand the difference Mercy Housing makes in people’s lives, and we are proud of our association with them.”—Kathleen Felderman, Managing Principal, National Real Estate Practice Leader with EPIC.
According to the College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges, the average total cost of higher education can range from $17,930 to a whopping $52,500 on average. Mercy Housing specializes in providing low-income families affordable homes in order to break cycles of poverty, and education is an essential step in that path. These students have overcome adversity to get into universities as prestigious as Harvard and Brown. This comes at an essential time—currently, student loans are the largest part of U.S. debt following housing. A recent Forbes article cited that from just 1989 to 2016 the cost of a four-year degree doubled.
Many of the awardees will be the first person in their families to attend college. Their winning essays and letters of support from Mercy Housing staff are touching testaments to the power of a stable home and education to overcome some of the most prolific hurdles a young American can face.
“I have an opportunity to pursue my future career and hopefully realize it, though I could not have done it without the support of Mercy Housing. Not only did they provide a shelter, the tools and great staff, but they also provided hope for the people who live in the property to pursue their goals and careers.”—Gerson Mino Mendez, EPIC Educational Support Grant winner and Mercy Housing Resident
About Mercy Housing, Inc.
Mercy Housing, Inc. (MHI), is a leading national affordable housing nonprofit headquartered in Denver, Colo. Established
by the Sisters of Mercy in 1981, and in operation in 41 states, MHI has nearly 40 years’ experience developing, preserving, managing, and financing affordable housing, with regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle. MHI supplements much of its housing with Resident Services, programs that help residents build stable lives. MHI’s subsidiaries further the organization’s mission: Mercy Housing Management Group (MHMG) offers professional property management and Mercy Loan Fund (MLF) finances nonprofit organizations.
MHI serves tens of thousands of people with low incomes, including families, seniors, veterans, people who have experienced homelessness, and people with disabilities. Its mission is to build a more humane world where poverty is alleviated, communities are healthy, and all people can live to their full potential. To learn more about MHI and the services it provides, visit mercyhousing.org.
About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting
firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee
satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.
EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a “Best Place to Work” in multiple regions and as a “Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry” nationally.
EPIC now has more than 1,800 team members operating from 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.
With run rate revenues greater than $575 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through
strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit www.epicbrokers.com.
