Newsletters
January/February 2025
CEO Message
As we celebrate 75 years of EP!C, the growth we have experienced in financial support from friends and families alike is remarkable.
The Barbara Smiley Society, which honors the commitment of our first CEO and founding family members with an annual donation of $1,000 or more, for example, has seen contributions more than double in the past three years. The EP!C Foundations has also seen significant growth thanks to dedicated donors who have chosen to support EP!C’s longevity. The EP!C Foundation’s Charter is to provide a continuing source of financial support and investment to EP!C to meet ongoing and emergency needs when requested by EP!C’s Operating Board of Directors.
There are numerous ways friends and families can support EP!C now and into the future:
Establish a reoccurring monthly donation, Bequests, Wills and Living Trusts, Gift Annuities, Stocks and Mutual Funds, etc.
There is no stronger vote of confidence in our organization than choosing to honor EP!C with a legacy gift. Thank you for believing in our mission and for your unwavering support. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of many, and I am excited for what we will achieve in the future.
If you would like information about the Barbara Smiley Society, please reach out to Colleen Halberg at 309-689-3771 or chalberg@epicci.org.
Sincerely,
– Kim Cornwell, EP!C CEO
EP!C Support
EP!C Behavioral Health
Providing access to licensed behavioral health professionals who focus specifically on the mental health needs of the individuals we support.
EP!C Achievement
EP!C has had a longstanding partnership with Caterpillar, Inc. since 1954. While the projects and workload have changed over those many years, the goal has remained the same – to provide meaningful work opportunities to people with cognitive differences.
Each month we are held to specific standards such as number of errors and turnaround time. In 2024, even with the addition of a new supplier almost tripling the volume of work, we wrapped an amazing year for our CAT contract workers. They send out thousands of parts each week and have been able to maintain a 5-day turnaround percentage of 95% and have had zero errors for the entire year which is unprecedented!
We are very proud of the work we do for CAT and the part we play in their 100 years of success.
EP!C Vacations
We are excited to host another year of vacation opportunities for people in our community options residential programs. The team has come up with some fun new places to explore along with keeping some of our favorite yearly stops. From closer to home stacations to roadtrips across the US people will be able to explore the world around them and strengthen relationships with their peers.
You won’t want to miss where we are going this year – Check it out!!
EP!C Welcome
EP!C is excited to announce the addition of a new Executive Team member.
As the Vice President of Quality Improvement and Corporate Compliance, Melody Shake will provide strategic guidance, direction, and oversight of agency-wide improvement through data, quality, and compliance measurements to ensure compliance with agency, local, state, and national initiatives and requirements.
Melody comes to us with over 30 years of diverse experience in the healthcare industry. She’s worked for large systems such as Graham Health, OSF St. Francis, and most recently at Heartland Health Services. She holds a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Leadership and Masters in Health Administration from the University of St. Francis along with her Certified Professional in Health Care Quality (CPHQ) certification.
EP!C Employees
November Employee of the Month
November – Congratulations to Angel Horton, November Employee of the Month. She was nominated because she “goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels included, valued, and genuinely cared for.” Angel is described as “encouraging”. Her positive attitude, genuine love for her work, and unwavering commitment to EP!C’s mission truly shines through in everything she does.
