 At UCP Oregon, advocacy is more than just a word—it’s a commitment we embrace every day.
Whether we’re speaking up for (and with) our customers at the Oregon State Capitol or partnering with other organizations to defend vital services, we believe that every voice deserves to be heard—loudly, clearly, and often. If you're wondering what's happening on the national advocacy front, we hope you'll read this brief newsletter from our Executive Director, Ann Coffey.  As you know, it’s BPMF season here at UCP Oregon. Last month, we opened our Bill Porter Memorial Fund for 2025. We received 115 applications in total. Woo hoo! Also cool: we heard from a former BPMF recipient, Kelcie. Kelcie sent us the fantastic photo you see below. She also shared her BPMF recipient story. In Kelcie’s words… I grew up in the country, and I occasionally fished but never caught anything until 2022. I was twenty-four when I applied for the Bill Porter Memorial Fund for the second time, but this time the reason I was applying for financial assistance with my airfare to Alaska was to visit some friends that I hadn’t seen in nine years. Thanks for the fabulous photo and story, Kelcie! PS: Have YOU received BPMF funds in the past? You can share your story or pics with us here.   It’s April 1st—and that means it’s Autism Acceptance Month.
At UCP Oregon, we believe in listening to autistic voices, honoring lived experience, and creating real inclusion—not just awareness. We’re proud to support autistic kids, adults, and families every day of the year. We’re glad you’re here.💛 PS: We asked a UCP employee (who’s also the parent of a child who experiences autism) to share a few favorite resources. See below. She also recommends searching the hashtag #ActuallyAutistic to hear directly from autistic people in their own words. Resources:
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