The warmer temperatures haven’t made it feel like it usually does during the winter months, but yet, here we are. Another calendar year has flown by and there are many things we are looking forward to in 2022.
EP!C was recently accepted as a licensed Behavioral Health Clinic and we welcomed a Clinical Social Worker to our team as the Director of Behavioral Health Services. This is a very exciting move for our agency as we diversify our services to better support individuals with dual diagnoses. EP!C’s Behavioral Health Clinic will provide assessment, treatment planning, therapy, and other mental health services beyond the supports we have been able to provide before.
We are hopeful and encouraged by the conversations happening in Springfield regarding the Guidehouse rate study that was voted on earlier this year. With Illinois ranking 47th for spending committed to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities it’s imperative that the state restructure the rate calculations to avoid creating an even more unbalanced system and help maintain the integrity of our person-centered services.
We are also looking forward to connecting with everyone more in the next year. We have scheduled many events that had to be postponed in this last year and are very much looking forward to our first in-person Bon Appétit event in two years by hosting the world-renowned Chef Maneet Chauhan from Food Network’s Chopped.
Thank you for all of your support and encouragement over this past year.
– Kim Cornwell, EP!C CEO
SAVE THE DATE – MARCH 24th
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette with Chef Maneet Chauhan from the Food Network.
This year, during the Journal Star’s annual Best of the Best awards, EP!C was named Best Nonprofit! While we’ve been in the Top 3 since 2017, this was our first ever win for the title. Voting for EP!C meant voting for people like Jerry-Lee, Shanta, Jeremy & more. This is an honor we don’t take lightly and appreciate the platform to help push people with disabilities to the forefront.
New this year, EP!C was nominated and named Second Best Local Event for our Bon Appétit fundraiser. Up against community giants like the Peoria Riverfront Market and Morton Pumpkin Festival, this was a true honor. Our signature fundraiser has become a premier event on Peoria’s social calendar, thanks to our sponsors, partners, and the celebrity chefs we can bring in.
Thank you for taking the time to nominate and vote for us. It wouldn’t have happened without you and we appreciate your support.
Thank you to all of the EP!C Elves who helped make this year’s Giving Tree such an amazing success. All the individuals were adopted and so many needs were met for our classrooms, programs and EP!C homes. Some of the people we support are wards of the state, have had no connection with their family, or have outlived their support system. Whether a first-time gifter or a long-standing tradition, YOU have helped us create the holiday magic they deserve.
Thank You!
Host Homes HUDDLEs (Helping Us Develop Dedicated Leaders That Empower) are coming to a community near you!
For Providers and those considering becoming a Provider, the HUDDLE will allow you to learn more about EP!C Host Homes and hear from current Host Homes Providers who live out the role every day. It’s a place where you can ask questions, network with others going through the process, and even plan future outings together. EP!C’s current providers are great resources for those interested in opening their home.
The Host Homes team wants to provide you with resources that will help you become the best provider you can be, so you can help empower the people you will support to live their best lives!
December officially wrapped up celebrating our 70th Anniversary (71 thanks to the pandemic). We really enjoyed going through our archives along with discovering your stories. We are so thankful to those who brought in photos for us to scan (over 9,000 digitized so far) and told stories of what we mean to you.
One story we stumbled upon was a note that stated we were a part of an award-winning video with the Heart of Illinois United Way. We have a proud history of being a partner agency since 1955 and during their search for history celebrating their 100th birthday, they found the film reel we were looking for and digitized it for us to share. We’ve come a long way since 1977 but the support of our community, our mission, and the needs we provide are unchanged.
There are still so many stories to tell. Don’t wait until we turn 75 or 80 – help us tell them now. Write down your memories and send us your stories. Contact Ashley Schreck, Director of Marketing by email at aschreck@epicci.org
Thank you to the following sponsors for this year’s 11th Annual Bon Appétit featuring Chef Maneet Chauhan of Food Network’s Chopped.
If you would like to support Bon Appétit as a sponsor and guarantee your seats to the area’s 2nd Best Local Event, please visit EPICCI.org/sponsorship or contact Colleen Halberg at chalberg@epicci.org or 309-689-3771.
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