Page 7 - EPIC E-News_Spring 2021_FIN

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eam Spirit

By Onika Bishop

As the Assistant Director of EPIC’s Day Program, I wanted to introduce you to another innovative way that we con-
tinue to provide support even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, EPIC was interested in part-
nering with the SPIRIT Club. SPIRIT Club is an organization that offers a universal design for fitness that empowers
people of all abilities to exercise successfully in a socially integrated setting. EPIC wanted to ensure that everyone
we support would be able to have access to fitness programs without being worried about the expenses. The pan-
demic opened a new world by necessitating that the people we support become more familiar with utilizing tech-

nology and that has been a challenging but rewarding experience. Based on everyone adapting to the “new world”
EPIC has been afforded the opportunity to receive a grant to fund the partnership with the SPIRIT Club. The best
part about the partnership was that it is FREE to the people we support.

SPIRIT Club’s partnership with EPIC offers people supported various activities and sessions such as cardio fitness,
SPIRIT yoga, healthy cooking, SPIRIT boxing, meditation, balance fitness, Zumba and much more. The activities and
sessions provided by the SPIRIT Club are accessible to both staff and people supported. The kickoff for the EPIC and
SPIRIT Club partnership was April 27, 2021 after EPIC team members were fully trained on how to use SPIRIT Club’s
system and how to access on demand and live sessions. Since the April kickoff incredible positive feedback has
been pouring in from people supported, staff, and even family-caregivers who login to catch a glimpse of what
their loved ones are doing online.

EPIC’s virtual support has become stronger with varieties of activities and more participation. It is even more en-
joyable with the tailored virtual exercises provided by the SPIRIT Club which enhances the regular exercises our
staff continues to source online. It is worthy to note that as part of EPIC’s commitment to promoting independ-
ence and empowerment, the Day Services team is constantly working on different ways to improve virtual experi-
ences for people supported.

EPIC looks forward to continuing its partnership with SPIRIT Club as the people we support continue to have mean-
ingful and healthy lives.
Onika Bishop is the Day Services Assistant Director for EPIC. A former teacher, Onika currently attends UMUC
where she majors in Health Services Management. With over 5 years of experience in the Human Services sec-
tor, Onika expertly oversees overall services of Day Services participants, supervises Day Services managers, and
facilitates EPIC’s person-centered approach to maximize the independence of the people we support.

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