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LEARNING ABOUT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK HISTORY AND DISABILITY

2/24/2022

 
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Hi! As you probably know, February is known as Black History Month (and also as Black Futures Month).
 
It’s a time to collectively celebrate Black history and to imagine a world where Black people are free and self-determined. This time would not be complete without acknowledging the labor and excellence of Black disabled people, and their place in the necessary movement towards Black freedom.
 
At UCP, we’ve been seeing lots of great resources about being both Black and disabled. Here are some of them:

  • National Disability Rights Network: Celebrates Black History Month with Disability Rights in Black
  • NBC News: Why Black History Month Needs to Feature Stories of the Disabled
  • Respect Ability: highlighting African Americans with Disabilities in Honor of Black History Month
  • TedTalk with the Triple Cripples: Empowerment as a Disabled, Black Woman
  • TedTalk with Phillip J Roundtree: Black Mental Health Matters
 
To our Black colleagues and customers, we see you and celebrate you! May this month be full of joy and connection.
 
And to our non-Black community reading this post: may all of us continue to learn, address anti-blackness behavior, make changes, and take action.

That's a Wrap!

2/19/2022

 
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Well, that’s a wrap!
 
The 2022 round of applications for the Bill Porter Memorial Fund closed on February 18th.
 
We received 50+ applications, getting submissions from customers in every department.
 
Over the next few weeks, our Executive Director, Board of Directors, and several members of our Leadership Team will be reading the applications. They will then make the incredibly exciting (but difficult!) decision about which customers will receive funds. 

We’ll be announcing the award recipients in late March.

Supported Employment Update

2/16/2022

 
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Hello! Here we are, almost two years into the pandemic.
 
UCP’s Supported Employment division (“Employment Solutions”) is hard at work.
 
We support adults with disabilities to have great jobs in the community. As you might imagine, this can be somewhat difficult during a pandemic. But our customers are working, challenging themselves, getting raises and promotions, starting new jobs, and making new connections.
 
Being able to celebrate their successes keeps us smiling, even though we (like you!) are tired.
 
Here are a few recent stories that will make YOU smile, too!
  • One of our customers has been working as a caregiver during the pandemic. She has helped so many people live a safe and happy life. She entered our services years ago, dreaming about doing caregiving for a living, and worked hard to find a position in the field. We are so happy to have been a part of her journey towards getting her dream job.       
  • Another customer has been looking for work since the beginning of the pandemic. He recently found a great position that is a perfect fit! He just started his job this month, and his employer is already asking if he wants to work more hours and learn new tasks since he is such an important member of their fast-growing business. We are excited to support the customer (and the business!) in our new partnership.       
  • A customer recently had a job interview and was offered a job on the spot! The customer asked for time to discuss the offer with his employment team. Ultimately, the customer decided to say “no thank you” to the job offer; he wanted to find a position that was a little closer to home, with different job tasks. Our team supported him in his decision, and together we came up with a new game plan that matches better with his preferences. Customer choice all the way!       
 
 

MEET MORE BILL PORTER APPLICANTS

2/11/2022

 
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As you may have heard, we opened our "Bill Porter Memorial Fund" (BPMF) for 2022 applications on February 1, 2022.
 
UCP customers, with assistance as needed from UCP staff, are applying to fund for life improvement projects that fall outside of the typical scope of funding.
 
Here are some examples of how folks used their BPMF funds.

  • Julie’s daughter has cerebral palsy; they used their BPMF funds to purchase a scoot bike. As Julie says, “This purchase would allow our girl to take an active role in family bike rides.”
  • Jane used BPMF funds to pay for twelve sessions of “NeuroMovement” therapy for her son, Luke. Luke first walked on his own at age twelve, and a mere month later, had already figured out how to dance independently.
  • I’Yanna used her BPMF funds to travel (pre-COVID). She was able to reconnect with family and friends.
  • David has autism. He used his BPMF funds for books and at a local community college. His ultimate goal is to finish his secondary education, and work with a technology firm to develop better prosthetic devices.
  • Kim used her BPMF funds to swim at a pool—with the goal of making friends!

DONATE TO THE FUND
APPLY TO THE FUND

From the Desk of Suzannah

2/9/2022

 
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FROM THE DESK OF SUZANNAH NEWMAN, HR DIRECTOR, UCP OREGON

Happy almost spring!


Before we move into a new season, we want to make sure to catch up on all the “winter” news from UCP.
 
First up: a giant shout-out to UCP’s Recruiting and Employment Strategies Manager, Kristin Heying! Kristin single-handedly secured a grant from Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS). The grant allowed us to fund retention bonuses for UCP’s direct support staff.
 
Bonuses were issued at the end of December, 2021. Thanks to everyone who helped make the bonuses happen, including our Finance Department (Janet Fromdahl and Esther Large), and, of course, our direct support employees themselves, who have been working so hard during challenging times.
 
This year, we are applying for additional grants, and are continuing to lobby at a state level, with the goal of ensuring that all direct care staff in Oregon are receiving fair and equitable compensation.
 

MEET ANDREW (AND OTHER BILL PORTER APPLICANTS)

2/5/2022

 
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As you may have heard, UCP Oregon opened our “Bill Porter Memorial Fund”(BPMF) for 2022 applications on February 1, 2022.
 
UCP customers, with assistance as needed from UCP staff, are applying to fund for life improvement projects that fall outside of the typical scope of funding.
 
We thought it might be fun to share some past examples of how folks used their BPMF funds.

  • Andrew experiences severe anxiety and panic attacks which are triggered by loud noises and environments. He requested noise canceling headphones, which allowed him to cope better with his panic attacks.
  • Gracie was 11 years old when she applied. She liked to swim and wanted to share the experience with her family, so she purchased an annual aquatic center membership. As Gracie’s mom wrote, “It’s been so exciting to finally find a physical activity that the entire family can do together and have fun, too!”
  • Tanya and her teenage daughter applied for equipment that helped with balance and trunk strength.
  • Kelcie used her BPMF funds to purchase a handheld shower head on an adjustable pole so she could bathe as independently as possible.
  • David used his funds to attend a photography class; his goal was to learn to take photos of his family and friends.
​
Donate to the BPMF here

Honoring Black History Month 2022

2/2/2022

 
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February is Black History Month. It’s a time to hold space for Black Americans, to recognize and celebrate and grieve parts of American history that may feel all too invisible.
 
For UCP Oregon, it’s also a time to celebrate the contributions and struggles of Black people who experience disabilities.
 
Currently, 5.5 million Black Americans are living with a disability. But, as Ola Ojewumi (a Black, disabled activist and business owner) says, “to be Black and disabled in America is to be invisible.”
 
Yet, as Ola adds, “when you look at Black history, there is an undeniable link to disability; some of our greatest Black heroes and heroines have been disabled.”

Below are just a few. Many of the current-day celebrities on this list are using their influence to educate people about disabilities—both visible and invisible.

  • Danny Glover
  • Fannie Lou Hamer
  • George Washington Carver
  • Halle Berry
  • Harriet Tubman
  • Harry Belafonte
  • Mary Davidson
  • Maya Angelou
  • Missy Elliott
  • Montel Williams
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Simone Biles
  • Sojourner Truth
  • Solange Knowles
  • Stevie Wonder

Learn more here:
 
  • Why Black History Month Needs to Feature the Stories of the Disabled

  • Highlighting African Americans with Disabilities in Honor of Black History Month

  • NDRN Celebrates Black History Month with Disability Rights In Black

BPMF: IT'S "GO" TIME!

2/1/2022

 
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Hello! We are pleased to announce that UCP Oregon’s “Bill Porter Memorial Fund” (BPMF) is open, circa 8am on 2/1/22!

***Applications will be accepted from 8am on 2/1/22 to 5pm on 2/18/22.***

The BPMF is designed to assist our customers to experience a full life, however that might look for each customer. Customers have applied for funding for:

  • Home modifications.
  • Assistive technology.
  • Travel to reconnect with a family member or friend.
  • Funding for education.
  • Job training.
  • Joining a gym.
 
Note: Applicants must be currently receiving services from UCP Oregon to be considered.
LEARN MORE

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UCP Oregon
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97220

​Phone: 503-777-4166
​Fax: 503-771-8048
Email Us
Photo used under Creative Commons from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services >
        • Brokerage Videos
    • Supported Employment >
      • For Job-Seekers
      • For Employers
      • Be "Ability Aware"
    • Supported Living
    • Children's Services
    • Family Support
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Applicants
  • CAREERS
    • Why You'll Love UCP
    • Careers FAQ
  • NEWS
  • EVENTS
    • Family Support Workshops
    • Family Support Group
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
    • Skate Night
    • Family Conference
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors >
      • Bill Porter Honor Roll
    • For Readers of Portland Business Journal >
      • Learn More About Us
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint
  • Share Your UCP Story