Those who were following along with us through our 70th Anniversary celebration were able to travel back in time and hear aspects of our amazing history. We posted throwback stories on our social media and unveiled a massive history wall during our party with the Peoria Chamber. During this time our Development team started working on a more visible giving society and recognition program for our donors.
I’m excited to share that this year we are officially kicking off the Barbara Smiley Society as a tribute to our founder and visionary. Through her lifetime of passion, Barbara Smiley left an EP!C legacy and because of the gifts we receive, we are able to continue that vision today and into the future.
The Barbara Smiley Society will recognize those who support our mission at the annual level of $1,000 or more and will celebrate their contributions with a reception and recognition on our history wall located at our headquarters in Peoria, IL. We’ve also added two special designations within the society. Members who reach or contribute a lifetime giving of over $25,000 will be named to our Founders Circle and those who name EP!C in their estate plan will become part of our Legacy Circle.
For over 70 years we have refused to accept a diagnosis as an identity and together we can continue to elevate the voices, strengths, and positive contributions of persons with disabilities.
If you would like more information, please contact Colleen Halberg at chalberg@epicci.org or 309-689-3771.
– Kim Cornwell, EP!C CEO
Shop online for Fall Mums today and support EP!C.
$16.00 – 2 Gallon, Variety of Colors
In August we kicked off our annual Pacesetter Campaign as a Partner Agency for the Heart of Illinois United Way and had a great time showing our support.
Other individual and corporate campaigns are kicking off and we are having a great time presenting to organizations about the work we do and benefit we receive from UW donations. We also love providing a service component to local corporate campaigns with our volunteer opportunities.
Lots of amazing groups have been out to help but recently it was Caterpillar’s Global Rental & Used Equipment Services team (which included a former Foundation Board Member) who joined us for some fun in our Harvest Garden.
Learn more about how to give to the greatest good in our communities and see our volunteer opportunities at HOI United Way.
The votes are in and we are so excited to announce that EP!C as been voted into the Top 3 for the Journal Star Best of the Best Awards.
While we didn’t make the cut for Best Local Event this year we are up for Best Nonprofit (2021 Winner) and (new this year) Best Employment/Staffing Agency for our Job Placement program.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for EP!C. There are many worthy nonprofits and staffing agencies in the area and to be considered with them is an honor. We take a lot of pride in being considered and look forward to finding out who the winners are at the awards ceremony at the end of October.
Direct Support Professionals are the lifeblood of our organization.
They are there for people all day, throughout the day, for as long as they need our services and supports. We become engrained in their lives and treated like family. We recently sat down with some of our DSP staff to hear why they work for EP!C and what being a DSP means to them. We hope this campaign can show the power of the positions we have available along with opening the door for more caring people to join our team.
Follow along with us as we honor and thank them during National DSP Week September 12-17.
CQL, The Council on Quality and Leadership, hosts an annual conference bringing together Human Service agencies to explore strategies that move our organizations forward and to discuss real challenges for our industries.
During the conference, some of the field’s most brilliant leaders will come together to exchange ideas, pass along best practices, and share tangible, relevant, applicable information to spark change. We are thrilled that our CEO, Kim Cornwell will be one of the breakout presenters during this year’s event hosted in Las Vegas in October. She’ll be speaking to Using Person-Centered Principles To Meet The HCBS Settings Requirements.
This hybrid event is hosted in-person in Las Vegas or virtually through Zoom. Secure your reservation today!
July Employee of the Month
Blisse Stanford, a Direct Support Professional in our educational classrooms, was named Employee of the Month for July.
Her nominator said,“There’s not just one word to describe Blisse. She’s organized, structured, and efficient in everything she does. She often shares great ideas with her peers and always goes above and beyond when providing activities for her room. She knows the needs of the people we serve, meets them continuously, and they thrive because of it. Blisse sets a great example of how things should be done.”
August Employee of the Month
In her role as our Accounting Caseworker, Shari Gerber helps people with their financial benefits and navigates what that looks like for each of them.
Shari was nominated because “She speaks and treats all people at EP!C with an equal level of respect and dignity. She drops whatever she is working on when an individual comes to her with questions or requests even if above and beyond her job such as helping an individual start the transition process with ISC or assisting someone in a different part of the building.”
« Back to Newsletters
Donate