Being EPIC Together & Supporting Mental Health

By Tatum Clements

“When you work together, things are better,” said co-founder of Our EPIC Project and Founder of Outer Banks Boil Company, Matt Khouri.

Our EPIC Project (OEP), which stands for Emitting Positive Impact Collectively, is a nonprofit that was founded in 2022 to uplift and energize the local beach communities that the Outer Banks Boil Company serves.

Over the last year, Matt and his mom, Denise Khouri, have been doing what they call “beyond the boils” by forging relationships, hosting EPIC vacations, creating impactful mental health programs, supporting other local nonprofits, and bringing people together to make a positive difference in the Outer Banks community.

“Everything we do is a reflection of EPIC, and we are honored to do this work and take a role in shaping a better community,” said Our EPIC Project President Denise Khouri. “Bridging the gaps and opening lines of communication- we want to put people together and facilitate relationships.”

To kick off the year, Our EPIC Project teamed up with Trillium Health Services to provide Currituck County Fire and EMS with two full days of training dedicated to Mental Health First Aid, designed specifically for First Responders. And, in May, OEP hosted another two-day Mental Health First Aid class to ensure that all members of Currituck Fire and EMS had received this valuable tool prior to the summer season.

“Mental Health First Aid Training helps people recognize early signs of depression, anxiety, and substance use, which can be prevalent in the Fire and EMS professions, and equips our first responders with tools to care for themselves, their departments, and the communities they serve,” said Denise.

Creating a strong foundation for mental health on the Outer Banks is a pillar of Our EPIC Project. And, Denise and Matt are always looking for ways to empower other nonprofits that provide essential resources in the community.

One of the ways they provide this type of support is through Our EPIC Project Fund, which is a donor-advised fund managed by the Outer Banks Community Foundation to make grants to nonprofits with a preference for projects supporting mental health needs.

“In the most recent Community Health Needs Assessments for both Dare County and Currituck County, behavioral health ranked as either the first or second most pressing health need,” said Outer Banks Community Foundation President & CEO Chris Sawin. “We’re grateful to partner with Our EPIC Project and support its important work to address behavioral health needs across the region. Their collaborative, regional approach is helping strengthen efforts to serve communities in both Dare and Currituck counties.”

Through Our Epic Fund, over $40,000 in grants were made to five different nonprofits this year.

A $15,000 grant was made to the Sound Minds program via Interfaith Community Outreach. Sound Minds is a program designed to connect residents with licensed mental health practitioners in the area. Our EPIC Project also offered additional financial assistance to this program by dedicating $5,000 in counseling services through the EPIC8 Program.

EPIC’s annual golf fundraiser, EPIC Round on the Sound, was extremely successful this year, enabling Denise and Matt to make a $10,000 grant from Our EPIC Project Fund to the Community Clinic of Dare.

The grant directly funded a dedicated counseling room inside the clinic and bilingual counseling services so that Spanish-speaking members of the Outer Banks community can receive critical mental health care without a language barrier.

At the Community Care Clinic of Dare’s Annual Billfish Tournament Captains Dinner in September, Our EPIC Project was recognized as a guest of honor, and the clinic dedicated and named their new Mental Health Counseling Room in EPIC’s honor.

“This was a deeply moving gesture that we will cherish forever,” said Denise. “This milestone reminds us that when local businesses, nonprofits, and healthcare providers connect, we can fill critical gaps in public health.”

To continue their efforts of supporting other nonprofits who are doing critical work in the community, Matt and Denise recently made another $10,000 grant from Our EPIC Project Fund to local nonprofit Room In The Inn, which operates the only homeless shelter serving Dare and Currituck Counties in the winter months.

“Room In The Inn is filling another critical gap in our community,” added Matt. “Sometimes we all need a little bit of help.”

Grants from Our EPIC Fund were also made to NAMIOBX, which provides education, advocacy, and support for individuals affected by mental illness, and the Wave Function Project which creates summer camp opportunities for children with disabling conditions.

To further their commitment to mental health, Our EPIC Project teamed up with Resort Realty this summer to raise awareness with visitors about the 988 crisis line. Through this partnership, visitors were educated that mental health help is accessible anytime, anywhere- even on vacation. 

As we head into the off-season on the Outer Banks, Our Epic Project is also organizing impactful programs to support those struggling with mental health.

“Winter is tough on the Outer Banks, especially in Corolla,” said Matt. “We want the people who live and work in Corolla to know that there are resources available to them. And, getting people together, exercising, and communicating is equally important.”

Between now and the end of 2026, Our EPIC Project has free monthly walking/hiking club meetups planned for November 18 and December 16. They also have “Our EPIC Evergreen Event” happening November 27-28 as part of Corolla Village Christmas. 

And, of course, Matt and Denise are already busy planning for next year.

EPIC Round on the Sound will be held April 22-23, 2027. Registration for this event opens on November 1, 2026.

Throughout all of their special events and dynamic programs, one thing remains the same for the folks at Our Epic Project.

“We take the wonderful spirit of EPIC and try to weave it into everything we do,” said Denise. “Cultivating a giving and inclusive culture is what we strive for every day, and we want to make sure we are practicing what we preach.”

For more information on Our EPIC Project and their upcoming events, visit OurEpicProject.com.

It has never been easier for you to make a real impact in our community. At the Outer Banks Community Foundation, there are countless ways to get involved in philanthropy, and one of the simplest and most effective is by creating a donor-advised fund. Start your journey today and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around us.

For more information about creating a fund, please visit OBCF.org.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.