Newsletters
November/December 2024
CEO Message
We are gearing up for 2025, when EP!C will celebrate 75 years of empowering people and inspiring capabilities! While we have expanded service areas and supports have adapted over the years, the mission of our founders remains the same. We continue to be a voice for those supported and their families with a goal of changing the narrative of how individuals with disabilities are seen in the community.
EP!C is also, always striving to maintain innovative programs that fit the needs of people. One of those needs has been for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. While we no longer staff those positions as we did long ago, we are getting ready to launch a new and exciting partnership with Carle Health and Professional Therapy Services in the next coming weeks so stay tuned for the results of that service integration.
Until then, we wish you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season!
– Kim Cornwell, EP!C CEO
EP!C Event
People’s Choice Award
Thank you to those who voted for us in this year’s Journal Star Community Choice Awards.
Your recognition and efforts have helped award EP!C the honor of being named the BEST Staffing Agency in Peoria as well as placing us in the top 3 best nonprofits and best local events for our annual Bon Appétit event!
Double Your Donation
EP!C Employees
Employee of the Year
We are thrilled to announce out of 11 other very deserving staff who were named Employees of the Month during FY2024, Tamera Gordon was selected as our Employee of the Year for 2024!
She was unanimously nominated for June Employee of the Month by the Community Day Services supervisory team. “Tamera consistently goes above and beyond. She takes ownership of new or unexpected projects. She recently took over training for the department and is a great asset to not only her department, but other departments across the agency. Her team knows they can always count on her. Her dedication to this population demonstrates to community members that all individuals with disabilities can be part of the community.”
September Employee of the Month
Tammy Bart was named our September Employee of the Month.
She is a driving force of our agency having been employed with us since 1994 and her 30 years of dedication to and passion for our mission is unmatched.
She was nominated because “she consistently goes above and beyond her job duties. By noticing details that others might overlook and following through on them, you can count on Tammy if you need help.” “Tammy works interdepartmentally with various teams to gather information and work towards solutions and her achievements allow EP!C to shine.”
October Employee of the Month
Alayja was named the October Employee of the Month
Alayja’s nominator said “She encourages people to show the world how amazing they all are. She does this by encouraging them to advocate for themselves, but she also steps in and helps to advocate for them when needed. This could be advocating for their right to privacy, the right to independence, or the right to choose. Alayja uses every instance as a teaching moment, and she approaches everyone equally.
Giving Tree
Make the holidays brighter for a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
EP!C Thanks!
The Indo-American Society of Peoria and PJ Dance Academy recently held their annual USTAV Diwali Gala with proceeds coming back to support EP!C’s mission. This year they celebrated with a magical performance of a reimagining of the beloved Jungle Book that transported audiences. Following the Saturday performance was a gala dinner.
The funding from this year’s event is targeted to grow our career center by supporting upgrades to the EP!C HUB technology lab. Having access to assistive technology opens the world to people. This technology can be cost-prohibited to people at home so we want to grow our space to have the best supports available.
Please plan to join us again in October 2025!
EP!C Event
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