EP!C Family Cookout

One of my very favorite local organizations to be the volunteer photographer for is EP!C and yesterday I got to photograph the annual cookout for the individuals served by EP!C and their families. Since I was in about 2nd grade I have had a close friend with disabilities and we keep in contact to this date. Every time I serve EP!C as their volunteer photographer I think of my good friend Tim!

EP!C has been serving individuals with developmental disabilities and their families since 1950.
It began as a group of Peoria-area parents wanting to provide their children with education and opportunity, an unprecedented service for individuals with disabilities at the time. This founding group of parents established a school for their children.

They grew and added new programs and services, and in 2013, they changed our name from PARC (Peoria Association of Retarded Citizens) to EP!C, which stands for Empower People, Inspiring Capabilities.

What began as a service for ten has served over 600, enriching the lives of adults with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and other intellectual or developmental disabilities. They are also a resource for our participant’s families, offering support through care, information, and encouragement.