Page 6 - 2020 Annual Report

LOOKING AHEAD

Globally, there are mixed feelings about the year 2020. There have
been funny remarks where people state they did not age because the
year did not count; to more serious comments of people burying loved
ones sooner than expected.

Unfortunately, our team experienced losses of loved ones that guided
me to research words of comfort. I embraced this particular quote from
an unknown author; "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the
sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." EPIC
will carry on with cherished memories of our beloved friends and family
and use the lessons learned that we experienced as we paced our way
through a global pandemic in 2020. We will brand those lessons into Clarissa Mitchell
tools, so we continue to move forward and prosper in the coming year. CEO

Armed with lessons learned and the hope of continuing to support
people with disabilities to experience a quality life, connecting people to
their communities remains our focus. We will scale back activity with the
focus of keeping people as safe and healthy as possible, but to eliminate
connections could seem far more detrimental. As posted by nia.nih.gov,
“Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a
variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart
disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression,
cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death.”

At EPIC, we continue to be believers that a person with a disability does
not lessen his/her ability to mainstream with people that do not have EX EC U T I V E
disabilities. As such, our focus will shift from previous years where we L EA D ER SH I P
had an aggressive approach of community inclusion, to a slower pace
as we support people to become re-engaged with activities that bring
them joy, content, and a healthy mindset. As in 2020, EPIC will continue Clarissa L. Mitchell, CEO
to use guidance from experts such as the CDC and NIH to balance our Karen Lopez, COO
teams’ mission of empowering adults with intellectual challenges to
maximize their independence. Francis DiSalvo, CFO
Christina Wilson, Day Service
As I close, let me express the sincerest gratitude to the EPIC team for Director
their support through very unprecedented times. It is the unselfishness,
love of people, and genuine care of our team members that takes part in Immaculate Anyangwe, HR
our resiliency. Director
Marcia Odeyemi, RN, Nursing
EPIC takes seriously, the trust that has been placed in our team and we Director
look forward to continuing to support adults with disabilities in the
months and years ahead. Myles Sheffey, Residential
Director