EPIC Videos

Enrolling for Fall Classes
Illinois Central College Fall Semester starts in 20 days!!! Don't panic, there is still time to register and take post-secondary classes with EP!C. We are enrolling for several areas of study. Visit our website to see the current class catalog today! https://epicci.org/programs/post-secondary/

Are you Ready for some baseball? Our friend Homer came to visit today to get everyone excited about our Annual EP!C Night At the Ballpark next Saturday the 24th with the Peoria Chiefs Bring the whole family to enjoy the game's theme of Prince & Princess night along with a fantastic post game fireworks display. EP!C will have people participating in a high-five tunnel, first pitch, on field interview, and selling tennis balls for the Pitch In For Charity at the end of the game. Tickets are only $12 with a portion coming back to support EP!C's mission. Can't go? Consider sending someone EP!C to the game. See website for more details. Get your tickets Today! https://epicci.org/event/anual-epc-night-at-the-ballpark/?instance_id=1006

We had such a great time at Ignite Peoria 2024! on Saturday! So many of you purchased pieces by artists with cognitive differences, supporting our EP!Casso Art Studio. And you were so creative at our card making station. Thanks for stopping by to see us. Thanks to ArtsPartners of Central Illinois for hosting and bringing the community together to celebrate creativity in all mediums.

Community Day Services hosted the annual EP!C Carnival at Townline today. It was such a nice day to have a parking lot party with our friends. Tattoos, dunk tanks, games, Tony the Pony, and more!

Fall Classes 2024
It's time to learn a new skill as we head back to class. Fall Semester starts September 23rd and we are now enrolling for EP!C classes at Illinois Central College. Register Today! https://epicci.org/programs/post-secondary/

We had a great time at the 3rd Annual ADA WOW Celebration and Resource Fair last night. Thanks to the local ADA committee, CityLink, Partners, and community members who came to learn and celebrate the 34th anniversary of the ADA. #Inclusion #Acceptance #ADA #Accessibility Hope to see you all next year!

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth in dedication of the passing of the ADA. This is a time to celebrate, highlight, and bring awareness to achievements and struggles for the disabled population. At EP!C we are proud of who we are and our disabilities that make us unique. We hope that you see us for who we are and what we are capable of. Our staff will continue to help change the narrative of the population supported because there is still so much work to be done. We hope you will join us along the way! #Empower #Inspire #BeEPIC

Today employees in our warehouse enjoyed a pizza party with Caterpillar. We were celebrating a milestone achievement of having another outstanding quarter and we were also able to award three individuals with Organizational Employment Services Employee of the Month for the months of January, February, and March. We package an average of 1 Million parts per year for CAT and our warehouse is operated just like any other warehouse they have. We also don't have special metrics, they are the same and measured the same across the board and we continue to hit them all! The individuals in this program have exceeded all expectations and should be very proud of the work they have done. We didn't just do a great job for people who have cognitive differences, we did a great job period! We love working for Caterpillar!

Last week we had some special guests visit us during an EP!C Choir practice session. Robo Monkeys is a robotics team of 7 elementary school kids coached by Badri Balasubramanian. Their project Handi Drums was designed and created to make the art of hand-based drumming more accessible for everyone. They created an app that had tutorials that could be followed and then the app would tell you a score and what was needed to improve. They had several individuals try out the drum and walked them through the tutorials. They were able to gather feedback and comments about how to better the prototype to be more inclusive to those with various disabilities. We can't wait to see how this project turns out!

Last week we enjoyed a beautiful day with our friends at Camp Big Sky! The group went on a boat ride, did some fishing, took a hay rack ride and even some kayaking! Camp Big Sky is known for providing outdoor activities and experiences for those with disabilities and we've been partners with them for years! Over the weekend they had their 15th Annual Fishing Tournament and we want to congratulate all the winners. EP!C individuals participate in the tournament every year and we also volunteer our time to pack all the lunches for the participants!

Last week our Host Homes team took off to Bloomington for a 2 day conference as we joined The Arc of Illinois for the 74th statewide convention. We had a table to tell participants about EP!C but also our staff, 2 individuals, and a family member were presenters leading a breakout session on the community options we have for people. Having multiple residential options for people in community settings is crucial to someone's quality of life. For EP!C to have several means, we can help people in whichever option works best for them and be able to change as their needs do seamlessly. Thanks to everyone who stopped by or sat in our session. We are SO proud of Tyree and Scott our Chief Inspiration Officers who stood up and told their EP!C stories to a room full of people they didn't know. #selfadvocate #chiefinspirstionofficer #IamEPIC #empower #inspire #BeEPIC

Here's just a little glimpse into the great day we had at our 6th annual EP!C Golf Outing on Monday! Thanks again to all of our wonderful sponsors and Mt. Hawley Country Club for hosting, we couldn't have done it without you guys! Another special thanks to all the teams that came out and participated in all the activities throughout the day. The proceeds from this event go to our EP!CWellness Center to provide programs for both the people we support and our staff allowing them to live healthier lives. We were able to debut our brand new video showcasing the EP!C Wellness Center and all the success stories it has created so far, which wouldn't have happened without all the funds raised from previous years golf outings. Congratulations to our winners: Regular Division - Mark Hoagland, Steve Miner, Scott Phegley, Joey OlsonMixed Division - Doris Hayes, Doreen Basso, Kristin Gaskill, Adam GaskillSkins Game - Jeremy Conrad, Alex Corbin, Paul Buob, Tim McCormack. Also congratulations to all our hole prize winners on each hole! See you all again next year!

So grateful to once again be recipients of an art grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois The EP!Casso Art Studio and Gallery is an unfunded program that relies on the support of the community to operate. For many years, a bulk of that funding has come through the grants CFCI manages. $5,000 will help us focus on the art of paper making, which covers a myriad of artistic styles. Congratulations to all the other agencies wo were granted to do great things.

EP!C Golf Outing 2024
We are 2 weeks away from a day out on the course for a great cause. Get outside, and get moving as we raise funds for the EP!C Wellness Center with an annual EP!C Golf Outing at Mt. Hawley Country Club. This program not only includes an onsite gym partnership with Anytime Fitness Peoria IL, but also wellness challenges, fitness goals, and educational classes about health and nutrition for both people supported and EP!C staff. Let's make healthy happen! Register your team today https://epicci.org/events/

New DSP rates 2024
With the approval and passing of a rate increase by the state for 2024 we are excited to share EP!C Direct Support Professionals now have the potential to earn up to $21.75. To see what positions are available and how you might join the EP!C Team apply at https://epicci.org/careers/now-hiring/ You can help make moments that matter!

Summer classes 2024
Now Enrolling for Summer Classes at Illinois Central College. We're offering 8 areas of study that are designed to promote capabilities and empower students to understand their way of learning. At the end of the course, students will receive a certificate from EP!C. Classes start May 21st so register today! https://epicci.org/programs/post-secondary/

EP!C Golf 2024
We are one month away from our Annual EP!C Golf Outing at the beautiful Mt. Hawley Country Club. This yearly event helps benefit our EP!C Wellness Center providing support and educational programs for both Individuals and Staff to live healthier lives. Register your Foursome today! Each golfer will receive a gift for playing thanks to our friend Chris Broadhurst at New American Funding and enjoy drinks on the course thanks to our partners at Central States Marketing. Sponsorships still available. Sign up at https://epicci.org/events/

It’s always a fun time over here at EP!C, last week we had our annual talent show and here are a few highlights! #beepic

David Takeover Teaser
March is almost at an end so for #NationalDevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenssMonth our very good friend David Redding is taking over our social media channels this week. He's been utilizing EP!C for pretty much his entire life and he's telling us his story, in his own words, and letting us follow him around for the day. Tune in THIS THURSDAY as David takes control of our stories for the day on Facebook and Instagram. 💙💚

One day we look forward to around here is #freeconeday at Dairy Queen 🙌🍦#firstdayofspring Whether dining inside or swinging through the drive-through, the staff at DQ always take care of us. We were able to take multiple groups and participate at all 3 Peoria locations. Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Knoxville Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Grand Prairie Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Sheridan