As some of you may know, UCP’s Finance Director (Esther Large) is retiring, effective 1/2/24, after 20+ years at UCP. UCP’s Payroll/Accounts Payable Clerk (Janet Fromdahl) will be retiring on that date as well. We’d love you to share your favorite memories and best wishes with Esther and Janet; see the form at the end of this post. About Esther Esther came to UCP in 2003, and has been a stronghold for UCP through two decades of growth and change. Esther supported UCP’s financial operation as we grew from $1.3 million to $13 million in annual revenues. No small feat in the accounting world! Esther says, “It has been my pleasure working at UCP Oregon over the last few years. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with such a talented team of individuals that care so much for our mission, and would personally like to acknowledge Ann Coffey for her leadership and compassion for the Agency. And while I am excited about my new adventures, I will truly miss all of you.” About Janet Janet started at UCP in 2013. Janet has been treasured for both her thoroughness and her kind, helpful approach to her work. Janet says, “I always say that when going to work stops being fun, I am going to stop going to work. The fact that I am still at UCP 10.5 years after starting here says it all!! The employees, the customers, and the mission have all brought joy into my life! But it is time for me to get to the next stage of my life—more time for family, travel, and whatever else life has in store for me! Don’t be surprised if my smiling face occasionally appears in the office just to say, ‘Hi!’ I will miss all of you!!” Esther and Janet will be moving into another stage of their lives, with plans to kick back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Celebrating Esther and Janet Both Esther and Janet be incredibly missed. As UCP’s Executive Director, Ann Coffey, says, “Over the years, we have all come to know and rely on Esther and Janet. They are amazing to work with. Always available at a moment’s notice to support excellent customer service to all of us, and in turn to support quality services to the customers we support. Esther and Janet, you will be missed.” As we say goodbye, we also say hello to UCP’s new Finance Director, Jerry Hoffert who started in his new position in early October, 2023. If you’d like to learn more about Jerry, click here. Please share your memories and/or best wishes for Esther and Janet below. Comments will be shared directly with Esther and Janet, and may be shared in a Facebook post, in the Employee Newsletter, and/or on the UCP website. Thank you! We’re thrilled to introduce you to our new Finance Director, Jerry Hoffert!
As you may know, Esther Large, who served as UCP’s Finance Director for 20+ years, is retiring in December of 2023. Also retiring is Janet Fromdahl, who has been UCP’s Payroll/Accounts Payable Clerk since 2013. We'll be sharing more about Esther and Janet's time at UCP in a future post. UCP Oregon conducted a thorough and competitive recruitment process to fill the Finance Director position. Jerry brings 20+ years of strategic leadership experience in non-profit finance and grant financial management. He also has a Master of Business Administration from George Fox University, with a focus on management and leadership. Some of Jerry’s experience includes:
Some of you may already know Jerry; he is the former President of UCP Oregon’s Board of Directors. Jerry has also served on the board of Family Promise of Metro East. Jerry began in his new position in early October, and will have several months of overlap with Esther and Janet. He is currently settling into his new position, and is also leading the hiring process for hiring a new Payroll/Accounts Payable Clerk. Congratulations, Jerry! We’re excited to work with you in your new capacity at UCP. It's October, and you know what that means... fall leaves, cooler weather… and NDEAM! NDEAM stands for "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." NDEAM happens every October, but at UCP Oregon, we believe in creating and celebrating access and opportunity every day! Our Supported Employment division (known as “Employment Solutions”) has been assisting people with disabilities to find and keep their dream jobs in the community since 2006. Want to find out more about we can do for you? If you’re a job-seeker who experiences disabilities, our services (include:
If you’re an employer who’s interested in hiring a more diverse workforce, or if you’d like to make a difference by sharing an hour or two of your time, we’d love to talk to you.
This October, the national United Cerebral Palsy organization is hosting its second annual UCP 2023 Conference on Latinos with Disabilities.
The event is open to the public, and admission is free for all UCP Oregon staff, board members, and others in UCP Oregon's community network. (Email jgarcia@ucp.org for special promo code.) The event happens October 17-19, 11am to 3:30pm EST each day. The conference will be held virtually, and will spotlight the role, impact, and influence of Latinos in the disability community. While many of the topics addressed will be of interest to the general disability community, the conference highlights the distinct ways (culturally, socially, economically and historically) that Latinos with disabilities, their families and service providers shape our society and communities at large. It's October 6th, and around the world people are honoring World Cerebral Palsy Day. Last year, this day reached over 10 million people and was celebrated in 100+ countries.
World Cerebral Palsy Day holds special significance for UCP Oregon. As you may know, we started operations in 1955 by supporting children who experienced cerebral palsy. Over the years, we expanded our services to support adults and children who experience any intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD). But we never lost track of our roots. Today, our Family Support Department supports hundreds of families who are raising children with cerebral palsy or a closely-related disability. On October 6th, we celebrate and honor everyone who experiences cerebral palsy in our community. We also shine a light on the 17+ million people worldwide who experience cerebral palsy—and the 350 million people who are closely connected to them. Today and always, let us remember our community’s history; honor our joys and our struggles; and continue to work towards a future where there truly is a community for everyone. We’d like to share some great “behind-the-scenes” news.
UCP applied for—and received—funds via the federal government’s Employee Retention Credit (ERC). After we received the funds, we asked all of our departments to create a “wish list” of wants and needs. Below are some of the items from those wishlists that we’ll be funding in the coming months:
We’d like to thank Esther Large (UCP’s Finance Director) and John Hancock (a long-term member of UCP’s Board of Directors), for their work related to the ERC funds! We’d also like to thank the entire UCP Board of Directors for their ongoing commitment to supporting UCP’s workforce and our delivery of quality services. Flashback alert!
It’s 1955. In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refuses to sit at the back of the bus. Churchill resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The World Series features the Brooklyn Dodgers versus the New York Yankees. And, a little closer to home, two different organizations begin operations: UCP of NW Oregon (in Astoria), and Double O Workshop (in Portland). Spoiler alert: these two groups will merge, and become what we know as UCP Oregon today! Happy Birthday, UCP Oregon! Do you remember what you were doing on July 26, 1990? Probably not. Maybe you weren’t even born yet!
But thirty-three years ago, something amazing happened. It was the day that the “Americans with Disabilities Act” (ADA) was finally passed. The ADA bans discrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, public services, public accommodation, transit, and telecommunications. Berkshire Associates describes the ADA as “the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities.” As the ADA itself says, “The ADA reflects a recognition that the surest path to America's continued vitality, strength and vibrancy is through the full realization of the contributions of all of its citizens.” Happy Birthday, ADA! Happy Disability Pride Month!
What does Disability Pride Month mean to you? For some people, Disability Pride Month is a time to speak out and take action. Other folks may use it as a chance to seek community or share their story. And for some people, Disability Pride Month is a time for deep introspection. Whatever this month means to you, UCP Oregon celebrates you and your story. On June 19th, we hope you’ll join UCP Oregon in celebrating and honoring the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, news did not reach some enslaved communities until over two years later, on June 19, 1865 (now known as "Juneteenth.") Since then, many people have celebrated on Juneteenth each year. Finally, in 2021, Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday. On Juneteenth--and every day--we recognize and remember the ongoing struggle for equal rights and freedom. |
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