Miracle workers

E.N.D. IT!’s 2025 summer program performed Camp Rock at the IRSC McAlpin Fine Arts Center. MARYANN KETCHAM

Arts program draws rave reviews for helping teens feel valued

BY ELLEN GILLETTE

At CHILL meetings, students find relevance with faith-based materials. E.N.D. IT!

A few years ago, Talib Moore, now 14, was quiet. Too quiet. His father had passed away; COVID had affected his education. Increasingly closed off, his life might have taken a different turn, had his mother not encouraged him to check out an area nonprofit called E.N.D. IT!

Founded by Skip and Sonia DuPree, E.N.D. IT! — for Everybody’s Not Doing It — has been providing education, inspiration and positive alternatives for middle and high school students in St. Lucie County for 15 years. With a focus on the arts, its after-school, summer and holiday programs promote self-worth, purity, drug and alcohol resistance, leadership, scholarship and community service.

In addition to visual and digital arts, E.N.D. IT’s theater program has entertained audiences at its Fort Pierce location, as well as in full-stage productions at the McAlpin Fine Arts Center on the campus of Indian River State College.

Joining E.N.D. IT! got the withdrawn Moore to begin acting. His most recent appearance was as Miles Morales, the first black/Latino Spider-Man, in the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County’s 14th annual Sounds of the Season holiday concert.