About Us

Education, Protection, Safety, and Empowerment (EPSE) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities through compassion, equity, and action. Founded on January 15, 2021, EPSE was created to meet people where they are—honoring lived experience, cultural identity, and personal choice—while supporting pathways to safety, stability, and long-term well-being.

We take a holistic, trauma-informed approach to service delivery, rooted in dignity and free from judgment. EPSE believes that true empowerment happens when people are seen, heard, and supported by systems that reflect their realities. Representation matters, and we intentionally cultivate leadership and partnerships that mirror the communities we serve, ensuring inclusive, responsive, and culturally affirming programs for women, men, children, and families.

EPSE was founded by Felicia Soodeen, a minority woman leader whose vision is grounded in lived experience, professional expertise, and an unwavering commitment to social justice. What began as a response to unmet needs has grown into a movement—one that centers education as a tool for transformation, protection as a human right, safety as a foundation, and empowerment as a lifelong journey.

Through advocacy, education, mental health innovation, and community-based programming, EPSE creates safe spaces where individuals and families can heal, grow, and thrive. We are guided by the belief that when communities are supported with intention and care, lasting change is not only possible—it is inevitable.Empowerment starts here. Together, we build futures rooted in hope, resilience, and opportunity.