Win, Win: How Community Employment Benefits the Community and Individuals

When you walk into Anytime Fitness, you might spot Dan cleaning the equipment, rag and spray bottle in hand. He will greet you, making sure to get your whole name, and welcome you to Anytime Fitness. Dan is just one of the people that is employed in the Peoria community through EP!C's Community Employment Program.

Chris Brown helping to shelve books at the
Fondulac Library

Employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities has recently been making it into the news (see for example the story of Sam, the Starbucks barista known for dancing as he prepares drinks). Stories certainly have been highlighting the successes of individuals with disabilities finding employment and excelling at their jobs, but they have also drawn attention to the high unemployment rates, businesses' biases against employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and poor State support. At EP!C we try to address these issues with both our Organizational Employment as well as Community Employment Programs.

EP!C's Community Employment Program in particular works with local businesses and individuals to find an arrangement that will be mutually beneficial.Though the businesses might initially worry about the individual's ability to perform the job duties, they soon find that they are often some of the most dedicated and diligent employees. (In case you missed it, Huffington Post highlighted the views of four companies who have adopted an inclusive stance on the topic.) EP!C even provides job coaching to ensure that the individual has the skills they need to carry out their responsibilities. Individuals that work with EP!C's Community Employment Program then have the opportunity to pursue employment in a variety of fields, depending on their interests and skills. Currently, individuals with EP!C's Community Employment Program are employed in diverse businesses and organizations from hotels to government institutions to gyms.

Mike Berkley sacking up a customer's groceries at Hy-Vee

The individuals are then also empowered through employment. Not only are they able to earn a pay check, they are also able to take pride in succeeding in their job and creating more connections with the community. Mike Berkley, for example, speaks with enthusiasm about his job at Hy-Vee and enjoys greeting and meeting new people in the store. He has also created lasting relationships with several of his coworkers, who speak warmly about Mike and his willingness to go above and beyond the scope of his job.

There is no doubt that having a job enriches the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local companies and businesses also benefit from hiring such employees, as they not only fulfill but often exceed job expectations. It is up to us, as a community, now to work toward breaking the stigma of hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supporting efforts to do so.

If you are a business looking for qualified employees or someone with an intellectual or developmental disability looking for employment, contact Mike Ashford, the Community Employment Services Job Placement Coordinator, at (309) 689-3690 or mashford@epicpeoria.org.

This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Heart of Illinois United Way.



mike berkley

Chris brown

Bon Appetit 2016: A Sold-Out Royal Evening

Bon Appetit was a smashing hit this year- the event was sold out and raised more money than ever. We took full advantage of the beautiful Grand Ballroom at the Pere Marquette this year, which fit the theme of a royal evening to a T. The chandeliers complimented the lavish royal blue, gold, and silver decorations, while the classically painted walls and high ceilings of the Cotillian Room were the perfect setting for the silent auction artwork.

The evening began with an exclusive VIP hour where guests had the opportunity to meet Chef McGrady before the main event. The VIP hour featured plenty of opportunities for socializing and a signature basil lemon drop cocktail that utilized freshly picked basil microgreens from EP!C Harvest.

Following the VIP hour, the main doors to the Cotillian Room and the Grand Ballroom were opened and guests were able to peruse the silent auction items and meet and greet one another. Many of the artists whose work was featured in the silent auction were also present and able to speak with interested guests.

Chef McGrady then treated us to some stories of his time at Buckingham Palace, including the reason why the Queen, though she herself did not like scones, insisted that a fresh batch of scones be baked daily, alternating flavors every other day (if you want to know why, you will have to ask someone who attended Bon Appetit!). Meanwhile, guests were able to enjoy artfully designed amuse-bouch courtesy of the Pere Marquette.

Following Chef McGrady's address, guests were served the first and second courses of the meal- asparagus soup with avocado and lump crab followed by a pink grapefruit and feta salad with avocado and caramelized pecans with an agave lime dressing.

Before presenting the main dish and dessert, Chef McGrady wowed us with how this meal is prepared- flames and all! Then out came the Gaelic steaks with whiskey cream wild mushroom sauce paired with sage derby scalloped potatoes and baby carrots. As people polished their plates, the Queen's favorite dessert of bread and butter pudding was served to round out the meal on a sweet note. 

As guests finished up their meal, they prepared for the live auction featuring a four-course craft beer dinner for ten at Thyme, a trip to Napa Valley, an all-inclusive getaway to Jamaica, and a four-course dinner for ten prepared at home by Chef Luca who was the feature chef at Bon Appetit 2015. Chef McGrady then threw everyone for a loop by offering an exclusive dinner for forty people scheduled for September 2 that he would cook using specially grown Harvest produce. Within five minutes all tickets were sold!

The evening ended with the drawing of the winner of the hand-crafted Bremer Jewelry necklace inspired by Princess Diana and the closing of the silent auction.

With an evening as full and as lively as that, it is no wonder Bon Appetit 2016 was such a success! We owe a big thanks to our generous sponsors who not only supported Bon Appetit, but also support EP!C and the work that we do.