Many people in this county and around the world are feeling apprehensive and nervous about how the troubles of the world will affect them and their future. EP!C continues to be concerned with the increasing challenges people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face including limited employment opportunities, minimal financial support to secure supported living arrangements in the community of their choice and low wage rates to attract and employ dedicated and skilled support professionals. EP!C is looking to rally the individuals we serve, and our stakeholders, to clearly communicate concerns with the old and broken rate model Illinois uses to determine funding and eligibility for support.
We are working to educate and empower our stakeholders using our print and e-newsletters along with Epic’s Facebook page. As we move forward, it will be imperative that all stakeholders participate in fighting for the rights of individuals with disabilities to receive the supports and services they need to work, participate and live in their community. This spring, EP!C will host a few open houses to educate and coordinate opportunities to communicate to our local, state and national leaders a common message, and build awareness of the crisis that is looming in the future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It will take all of us to stabilize and maintain a solid foundation into the future for the people we empower.
This year’s annual appeal saw an amazing and generous response, up in both donors and dollars compared to 2015. In this year’s appeal, Mike Berkely was able to tell the story of his journey to and with EP!C. “I like being part of EP!C. It made my life better and gave me a family.” Mike Berkley
Your continued generosity enables our individuals to lead enriched and fulfilling lives filled with friendship, compassion, and respect. You help us realize our vision of a world where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are appreciated, engaged in community life, and have every opportunity to achieve their personal best. We greatly appreciate you and all of your contributions to EP!C. If you haven’t made your year-end donation yet, there is still time! Visit EPICPeoria.org/donate to make your contribution today!
SEEDS DONATED BY SEED CO.
The EP!C Harvest program empowers over eighty individuals to gain vocational, life, and social skills by working in EP!C’s garden, greenhouse, and market stand. The flowers and produce cultivated by EP!C Harvest are always non-GMO varieties that are grown naturally without chemicals. EP!C Harvest partners with several local restaurants and grocery stores as well as sells directly to families and individuals to provide fresh, naturally- and locally-grown produce to the community. Currently the EP!C Harvest is cultivating arugula for the Bon Appetit event in March, and readying the greenhouse for the Annual Spring Flower Sale.
Layla had a weekend afternoon free and with the assistant of her support staff Sharon Boyd, Layla sat down and decided to write a book. Now that in itself is pretty ambitious, but to take it one step farther, Sharon took Layla’s manuscript and found a person (Rhea Gunther) to illustrate the story. As if that wasn’t enough, Sharon took it upon herself to pay to have the “Layla’s Ladybug” published so that Layla could use this as a Christmas gift for her family. Sharon’s initiative is a true EP!C inspiration. When she’s not penning stories, Layla lives at one of our group homes and works here in the kitchen during lunch.
We thank our friends at Professional Therapy Services (PTS) for their generous end of the year donation to EP!C! Because of you, we are able to continue to provide EP!C individuals with employment options, job skills training, computer/art classes and nursing services–and that is just the tip of the iceberg!
« Back to Newsletters
Donate