It all started with Dr. Leslie Parker Barnes’ Dream in 1990. In order to dispel the myth that our youth are hopeless generations, she started the Youth Excellence Gospel Choir (YEGC) in the basement of Arlington Church of God in Akron, Ohio. YEGC later became Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (YEPAW), a 501(c)3, in 1998. Having begun with only approximately 70 young people, YEPAW grew to serve as many as 500 registered participants from all over the country in a single year (2007).
30 years later, YEPAW has hosted over 5,000 participants and volunteers, implemented 5 programs (YEPAW, WEPAW, YEPAW 365, YEPAW INSTITUTE, and YEPAW International),
AND WE’RE STILL DREAMING! God has been faithful!
YEPAW is on a mission.
For over three decades, our ministry has been dedicated to joining the power of the arts to connect with and inspire young people ages 4 to 18. Our mission is to share the boundless love of Christ with youth and families, fostering an environment where their identities are nurtured and shaped by His teachings. Through our work, we aim to empower them to discover and embrace their unique purpose within our community, serving the greater Akron area with passion and purpose.