JA Heroes

JoAnn Blackmon and Erin Sheehan of the Epoch Dream Center — March 2016’s JA Heroes

Can one person make a substantial impact in her community? How about two? The existence of the Epoch Dream Center in Hebron, MD, answers that question with an emphatic, “Yes.” Founded and directed by JoAnn Blackmon and Erin Sheehan, the Epoch Center gives youth in grades first through twelfth not only a place to go after school, but seeks to instill in them four basic principles: “Work Hard, Respect Authority, Love Everyone, and Forgive Quickly.” This “Epoch Code” is the foundation for teaching these children to break free from generational poverty, avoid crime and unemployment, and create for themselves a brighter future.

The Epoch Dream Center is a free after-school program that nurtures children through “academics, character development, behavior, and emotional wellness.” The daily lessons taught at Epoch strive to prepare the children for the time when their values may be challenged and they will have to successfully navigate a difficult choice and avoid negative outcomes. Along with a safe place to learn, relax, and do homework, the Epoch Center provides the children a family meal, complete with chores. Every day students help set the table, and clean up after dinner is over—reinforcement of the values of respect and responsibility.

Each November the Dream Center puts on the “Epoch Shop,” where the children earn “Epoch Dollars” through extra chore work. Earned dollars are used to buy a Christmas gift for their mentor or a volunteer. While some grumbling ensues in the beginning, the children learn the value of hard work and learn the basics of financial planning.

Mentors volunteer to share time with the students, using an individualized approach to their hearts and minds. “We currently have a mentor who has a shared interest of computers with his mentee. He has taught his mentee computer coding, the parts of the computer, how to take it apart and how to put it back together. The knowledge and guidance this mentor has shared will be invaluable to this young mans future. By opening the door to something that started out as just a slight interest can now be nurtured into a hobby, possible job opportunities, and even a career path.” And this is the goal of everyone who works or volunteers at Epoch, to give the attention the children need now so they may be productive members of our community tomorrow.

 

ABOUT OUR HEROES:

Erin Sheehan: My husband Robby and I moved to the Salisbury area in 2009, where I was an office manager in the medical field. After becoming involved with a local youth ministry and seeing the lack of guidance and support many youth were not receiving at home. As well as the long-term effects that it was having on their futures, it propelled me to want to make a change. In spring of 2013, JoAnn and I began planning Epoch, which opened that fall to just eight children. My background in business management allows me to handle the day-to-day and administrative operations of Epoch. My husband and I reside in Salisbury and are expecting our first child in May.  

JoAnn Blackmon: I grew up in Hebron for the majority of my life, went to University of North Carolina, Greensboro where I majored in Deaf Education. I returned to the area and was a teacher for several years before becoming a stay at home mom. I continually was involved in outreach and serving disadvantaged populations so my husband Jonathan and I began Eleven 21. Inc., a non-profit organization establishing missional communities in Wicomico County. After seeing children of all ages wander the streets, it was my desire to make a difference in the lives of children living in my own hometown. I visited Frazee in Greenville, SC and began dreaming of starting a similar program. This dream became reality, when I met Erin who shared a similar dream and vision. With my background in education and teaching experience, I oversee the daily instruction of the program. I also serve as the liaison between Epoch and school administration and staff. My husband and I reside in Hebron, Maryland with our two children.

 

Our thanks to Tony Weeg of  Tony Weeg Photography for the amazing photos of our hero!