The National Real Estate Practice of EPIC InsuranceBrokers and Consultants recently donated $32,000 to Mercy Housing Lakefront to upgrade the computer lab atthe Pullman Wheelworks Apartments and provide residents with thetech resources needed to further their educational and careergoals.

The donation also included co-contributions from sponsorsAmWins, AWAC, AEGIS, Allied World, CRC, Great Prairie, Ironshore,Mitsui, BMS, One Beacon, RT Specialty, Starr Specialty, Travelers,USA Risk, WTIS, XL Catlin, Berkshire Hathaway and QBE NorthAmerica.

“We are grateful to EPIC and their sponsors for their generoussupport at Pullman Wheelworks,” said Mercy Housing LakefrontPresident Mark Angelini. “In our digital world, having the righttools to connect with the online world is imperative for success,and EPIC understood that and was eager to help. With their support,our residents are well-positioned to achieve their goals.”

Empowering residents

As one of the nation’s largest non-profit affordable housingorganizations in the country, Mercy Housing emphasizes servicesthat empower residents to achieve their full potential. It isredefining affordable housing by creating a stable foundation whereresidents can explore their potential, supported by practicalresident programs such as health classes, financial education,employment initiatives, parenting and after-school programs forchildren. Mercy Housing partners with the community and makes along-term commitment, bringing together resources and talent tobuild a region where everyone has access to an affordable home toact as a springboard to achieve better health, economic securityand a brighter future for their kids.

With 210 affordable rental units, the Pullman WheelworksApartments serves low-to-moderate-income families in Chicago’shistoric Pullman neighborhood. In addition to providing housing,the complex features an on-site computer lab, community-basedactivities, tenant leadership program, employment training andeducation services. During EPIC’s three-year relationship withMercy Housing, its employees have visited a number of theirproperties and seen first-hand the dramatic impact that a safe,happy, clean and caring environment can have on individuals andfamilies.

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Improving computer literacy

EPIC recognizes that having the tools to connect with today’sdigital world is crucial for success, and the contribution willhelp to replace outdated computers and software to help supportMercy Housing’s goal of empowering residents to achieve their fullpotential. The lack of technological capacity in our country is amajor issue that contributes to the academic achievement gap,leaving large numbers of children unprepared for success.

EPIC’s donation will help to give people of all ages theopportunity access tools needed to achieve the highest level ofsuccess. Adult residents will also benefit from the upgrades, asthey will have increased capacity to pursue continuing educationand access tools that improve their financial literacy.

“Here at EPIC we pride ourselves on giving back to thecommunities we live and work in,“ said John Hahn, co-founder andCEO of EPIC. “We have a team that personally invests their time,effort, energy and love into a wide range of important, deservingnon-profits, community service organizations and charitable causesand we could not be more thrilled to support Mercy HousingLakefront’s inspiring efforts. We strongly applaud Mercy Housing’soperations as our country tries to address an acute shortage ofaffordable housing and we are very proud of our association withthem.”

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Kathleen Felderman ([email protected]) and JonathanGriffiths ([email protected]) aremanaging principals of EPIC’s National Real EstatePractice.