Newsletters
September / October 2023
A message from our CEO
We see a bit of national attention in September thanks to DSP Week. This is a week of recognition celebrating and honoring the remarkable work of Direct Support Professionals who contribute tirelessly to enrich the lives of people with disabilities. DSPs make up 50% of EP!C’s workforce.
For several years, even prior to the pandemic, the nation was facing a caregiver crisis. Not only does this cause the inability to have adequate, consistent support, but additional workload and stress on current staff. With the ability to increase our DSP hourly wages thanks in part to the anticipated Illinois budget, we are starting to see a turn in hiring. We have a strategic goal of offering $5.00 above minimum wage to ensure DSP positions earn a professional wage.
We hope you will join us in celebrating our dedicated, knowledgeable employees.
– Kim Cornwell, EP!C CEO
EP!C 2022 Impact Report
As we wrap up our Fiscal Year 2023, let’s reflect on our accomplishments during FY 2022. (July 21 – June 22)
Hire Disabilities
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Tune into our social media platforms every Monday in October as we celebrate how employment partners play an important role in fostering a more inclusive workforce, by trusting EP!C to help them diversify their teams.
Leaving an EP!C Legacy
National Estate Awareness Week is October 17 – 23, 2023!
This is the perfect time to start thinking about your plans. Through proper planning, the legacy of love and care that you leave for your family and friends can be encouraging and even inspiring.
- An estate plan should give you peace of mind, knowing that important decisions and been made to care for you and your loved one.
- An estate plan provides for your future medical decisions and protects your family. A good plan may increase your lifetime security and also achieve your goals for family and charity.
If you would like to receive a free estate planning guide, please contact Colleen Halberg at 309-689-3771 or chalberg@epicci.org.
If you have already made provisions for EP!C in your estate plan, we would like to hear from you and recognize you as a member of our Legacy Circle!
EP!C Thanks
Recently we were the beneficiaries of a very large donation from Carle Health and Trillium Place Young Minds Center.
What used to be Heddington Oaks nursing home is being transformed into a new mental health center and while the furniture was in great condition, couldn’t be used by the hospital system. Items such as hospital beds, mattresses, crash carts, nightstands, bookshelves, chairs and more will be put to good use increasing the quality of life for people we support. These living expenses, which are quite costly, are not covered in the day-to-day funding received for services so these gifts are truly impactful to people in our community. The transporting of all the donations over three days wouldn’t have been possible without the team at Mordue Moving who did a lot of the heaving lifting.
EP!C 5K 2023
Thank you to all of the sponsors and participants who joined for our first 5k in 10 years!
The EP!C 5k was hosted on August 19 and was comprised of runners, walkers and even some four legged friends. Be on the lookout as the team plans the next race! Check out our Facebook page for more photos!
Congratulations to the finishers who placed in the top of their groups.
Men’s
- Joey O’Brien
- Ryan Schreck
- Marshall Davidson
Women’s
- Marysue Cicciarelli
- Kathleen Hannah
- Angie Frailey
Para-Athlete
- Matthew Barrett
- Kaci Smith
- Chris Corrigan
EP!C Employees
July Employee of the Month
Andrew Bundy was chosen for July’s Employee of the Month.
Andy was nominated for Employee of the Month because he is AMAZING at personalizing the experience that each individual gets from him. Families, guardians, and providers have praised him time and time again and they really trust him. He consistently goes above and beyond by picking up extra shifts and attending Host Homes vacations. He’s often creating or attending multiple activities in one day just to make sure everyone has a good time.
EP!C Harvest Mums
14 colors to choose from!
