The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies Gala Celebrates Community Support for Lifesaving Programs & Service

The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies proudly announced that its 2026 EPIC Family Gala – Love in Action. A Night to Give. A Legacy to Grow., raised $160,000 to support the organization’s epilepsy advocacy, mental health counseling, and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Long Island. Held at the Heritage Club at Farmingdale, the event brought together community leaders, supporters, families and partners for an evening focused on strengthening essential programs that thousands of Long Islanders rely on each year.

“This year’s gala was a powerful reflection of our community’s commitment to ensuring no one faces life’s challenges alone,” said Lisa Burch, President & CEO of the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. “The generosity shown through this event directly supports the people we serve every day—individuals, children and families who depend on these services for care and advocacy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who came together to make this night such a success.”

Proceeds from the gala play a critical role in sustaining EPIC’s essential services at a time when demand continues to grow. Support from the event helps diversify funding and provides stability for programs that offer residential and day services, community-based supports, crisis and outpatient mental health care, and education and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy. These funds help ensure EPIC can continue delivering consistent, high-quality care while responding to emerging needs across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Across its agencies, the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies supports individuals and families facing some of the most complex and urgent challenges in the community. More than 35,000 Long Islanders live with epilepsy and rely on education, advocacy and seizure support services to remain safe and informed. Demand for mental health services has also increased significantly, with the Nassau County Mobile Crisis Team responding to more than 3,000 crisis calls in 2025 alone, connecting individuals in crisis to immediate care and stabilization. EPIC Long Island’s residential, day and clinical programs further support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping individuals live with dignity, independence and meaningful community connection.

“Community support is essential to maintaining the strength and accessibility of our services,” said Jeff Nagel, Board Chair of EPIC Long Island. “Events like the EPIC Family Gala help us navigate an increasingly complex funding environment while staying focused on the people and families who rely on us.”

“Access to timely, quality mental health care is more important than ever,” said Steven Greenfield, Board Chair of South Shore Guidance Center. “The support generated through this event and donations received throughout the year helps ensure we can continue providing effective care and crisis services as needs grow throughout Long Island.”

The evening also honored Community Care Rx as Corporate Honoree; Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder of the Nassau County Police Department as Community Partner Honoree; and Joseph and Nina Meyer as Family of the Year, recognizing their leadership, advocacy and dedication to advancing EPIC’s mission throughout Long Island.

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

About the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies:

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.

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