EPOCH Celebrates 40 Years Serving Area Children/Teens with Special Needs; Madison Area YMCA A Partner From the Beginning

Educational Program of Children Handicapped (EPOCH) participants and families celebrated EPOCH’s 40th anniversary of serving children and teens with special needs during a reception at the Madison Area YMCA where EPOCH has held its recreational programs since its inception. The event was held on Friday, May 31.

EPOCH presented a financial contribution and plaque to the Y in recognition of the Y’s years of support. EPOCH President Cathy Kerris recognized and thanked the Y for hosting the group over the past four decades. “We are here to celebrate EPOCH, but also to salute our sponsors with the Y at the top of the list,” she said.

Madison Borough Mayor Robert H. Conley, who is also vice president of operations at the Y, presented EPOCH with a Proclamation of the Borough of Madison that named May 31, 2013, as EPOCH Day in Madison. Conley thanked the EPOCH Board, instructors, parents and volunteers for their work on behalf of children with special needs in the community.

EPOCH participants enjoy swimming, cooking, sports, arts and crafts and music at the Y. Local high school and college student volunteers assist with the program which is funded through participant fees, donations, grants and fund-raising events such as the restaurant raffle on Bottle Hill Day.

Founded in 1973 by parents of children with special needs, EPOCH provides unique after-school recreational, educational and social programs at the Madison Area YMCA under the direction of trained professionals.