Well, we’ve made it through 2020! What has seemed like the longest year has come to an end. I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a glimpse into what this last year has meant for our organization and people with disabilities.
COVID is not something you can run away from and everyone is susceptible, no matter what measure of precautions they take. We did see our share of cases in both individuals and staff, but thankfully they were, for the most part, mild and recovered quickly. One thing we are proud of is we did not have to furlough any of our employees and were able to maintain hours for all our staff by assigning them to our residential homes and other support needs across our organization. Our Residential team worked hard from the beginning of the pandemic to reduce our residents’ exposure by developing a live-in model where staff lived on-site for a week at a time and only assigning staff to work at one site. The Governor’s Shelter in Place order required EP!C and other Community Day Services to discontinue services. We were forced to limit what we could offer. A positive programming option that has come out of the need to support people remotely is our new Google Classroom services and added Zoom interactions. We continue to expand and add participates to these new service options. Unfortunately, it has meant that we have not seen some of our friends living at home with their families since March. This pandemic has been a very lonely and isolating place for so many of the people we support.
While 2020 was not the end of a fiscal year for us here at EP!C, we are prepared to continue to provide safe and healthy supports and services into 2021. I want to take this time to thank all of the agencies, companies, and community members who have made the burden of operating during a pandemic a bit easier for us. From handmade masks for the individuals (in fun patterns so they were more likely to want to wear them) to PPE equipment to lunches and coffee to keep our staff going, we can’t thank you enough for the support you have provided over the last year.
Be healthy. Be safe. Be EP!C.
As we celebrate our 70th Anniversary, we are looking for photos, stories, testimonials (interviews), volunteers to identify images, etc. to help tell the EP!C Story.
Contact Ashley Schreck, Director of Marketing, at aschreck@epicci.org, or call (309)689-3605
Thank you to everyone who made the holidays special for the people we support. Whether it was items for our educational classrooms, household goods to support one of our Group Homes, or adopting an individual who otherwise would be without this season, YOU made a huge impact.
We don’t ask for much, but one individual asked for a gift that can’t be purchased in the store. Bob wanted a PDC/Area garbage truck and ONLY a PDC truck. Thanks to our friends at PDC, they hooked Bob up with the truck and some PDC swag!
CSA 2021
Enjoy delicious produce and support EP!C.
And when you pay in full by January 31st,
receive a free $25 Spring Flower Voucher!
Join EP!C’s team of passionate, caring employees who make a difference.
Join EP!C’s team of passionate, caring employees who make a difference. Right now, EP!C offers the potential of over $14 dollars per hour, amazing benefits (including an onsite gym at our Headquarters), full and part-time positions, and the opportunity to fulfill someone’s dreams, as well as your own.
One of the longest-running inclusive organizations is Girl Scouts. Thankfully, because of our organization, we had volunteer leaders willing to run an inclusive Troop that opened up opportunities for all. From camping and selling cookies to learning new skills and earning badges, girls with disabilities in our region got to experience things just like anyone else.
You may recognize some of the scouts in these photos as several are still receiving EP!C services today. #ThrowbackThursday
Follow our social media platforms to experience EP!C’s history each week:
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David’s Host Homes Story
EP!C’s Host Homes Program assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in finding a home designed to encourage independence in the least restrictive environment. We match adults of all ages to host families in the communities of their choice. Participants are supported in a home setting, allowing them to become immersed in both community and home life.
David tells his EP!C Story and shares his experience as a participant in our Host Homes residential program.
Save the Date! March 25, 2021 In Person and Virtual.
Get ready for a Hybrid Bon Appétit Event featuring delicious dishes that’ll take you around the world, as we celebrate 10 years of raising funds to empower and inspire people with disabilities.
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