Happy 2018, EP!C Friends!!!
EP!C had a very good year in 2017. We ended the fiscal year in the black and the State legislature approved the first wage increase in ten years for our valuable Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
This year we are focusing on increasing the engagement of all our family/guardian and advocate stakeholders. EP!C is looking to increase communication with our families while seeking their input and involvement in the lives of their family members and friends. We will be hosting
Quarterly Advocate Family Gatherings this year starting March 15th, and the members of our current Family Focus Group will develop the agendas for each meeting. Please take the time to attend and connect with other families and advocates or reconnect with old friends who understand and support the lifelong well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Quarterly Advocate Family Gatherings will be held at EP!C’s Townline Facility in our cafeteria at 5:00pm
March 15th, June 21st, September 20th, and December 6th.
We are very excited to announce the featured chef for 2018 Bon Appétit.
Chef Claudia Sandoval – Master Chef Season 6 Winner, author of ‘Claudia’s Cocina – A Taste of Mexico’ and owner of Claudia’s Cocina.
Bon Appétit 2018
Thursday, March 22nd at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
Please visit www.epicpeoira.org/bonappetit for more information.
THANK YOU!
This year during our 2017 Giving Tree program we received over 300 gifts, allowing us to complete the wish lists of 66 individuals who don’t have families to celebrate with during the holidays.
Thanks to your generous support we were also able to supply all 17 group homes with gifts and much needed items for their residents.
From the staff and individuals of EP!C, we are truly thankful for your donations and for helping us make the Holiday Season a little bit brighter.
“CSA” stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A CSA allows individuals to have direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown by our EP!C Harvest participants. Sign up either weekly ($500) or bi-monthly ($300) to receive a box containing 6-12 freshly harvested, in-season veggies.
Season produce offered include heirloom tomatoes, new potatoes, peppers, carrots, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, sweet corn, onions, hot peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower beets, kohlrabi, melons, various fruits, microgreens and herbs.
Ready to join? Contact Lauren Coyle at 309-689-3607 to get answers to your questions and to request sign-up materials.
We are excited to announce that we are the recipient of a grant from Ameren Illinois! Thanks to their generous donation we will be able to provide scholarships to individuals who are interested in completing one of our new Certificate Programs. By participating in these education opportunities, our individuals will develop skills that prepare them to enter the workforce.
We are thrilled to partner with Ameren
“To Power the Quality of Life” in our community.
Beginning in February, EP!C will offer a new Certificate Program that provides career-focused training for people with developmental disabilities in the following areas: Culinary, Horticulture, Technology and Employment Skills for Autism. Each 12-week class includes lessons, hands-on activities and outings to build skills that will aid in securing community employment. Students will receive a certificate of completion and work portfolio at the conclusion of the program.
The classes are open to the community and are for ages 16 and up. The fee is $100 per 12-week class. Registration deadline is January 29 and classes begin the week of February 5.
Forms can be picked up at EP!C’s main location on Townline Road, and can also be found at EPICPeoria.org/Programs.
At EP!C we rely greatly on volunteers to help with projects at our Townline location and group homes. One of the groups who volunteers regularly is Bradley SERVE, a volunteer organization at Bradley University which organizes “Service on Saturday” events each month during the school year. From raking leaves to making Christmas stockings for our individuals, these students jump into the assigned task with enthusiasm.
We are pleased to continue our partnership with them in their 2017-2018 academic year!
Titeonna Kent was selected as our first Employee of the Month for 2018. Titeonna stands out for several reasons including that “she is always willing to pick up more hours in CLS and really makes a difference in the house by giving the individuals consistency”. Titeonna’s nominator also said “she is always positive and it shows! She loves her job and takes pride in it.”
Congratulations Titeonna, here’s to another great year at EP!C.
Welcome to the Team!
We are excited to announce that Ashley Taylor is joining us as our new Director of Marketing. Ashley comes to us with a non-profit background having previously been at Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and most recently CEO Council. She enjoys photography, anything Disney and is excited to be getting married this April. Ashley is very involved in our community and will be a great asset to our team. She can be reached at 309-689-3605 or ataylor@epicpeoria.org.
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