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Congrats to the Winners!

12/30/2021

 
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UCP Oregon is excited to announce the winners of the "2021 Employee Recognition Awards!"

These awards were given to employees who provide direct care to our customers, folks who have titles such as Personal Assistant, Support Specialist, Support Coordinator, Personal Coordinator, Assistant Team Leader, Substitute Support Professional, Children's Support Professional, Job Coach, and Employment Specialist.

All direct care staff were eligible to vote for the winners. Each winner received a $100 Visa Gift Card and an award certificate!

If you happen to see one of these employees, please make sure to congratulate them.

PS: there were two winners in every category. We don't have permission to share the names of ALL the winners, so a few folks will not be listed below.

THE 2021 Employee Recognition Award WINNERS

  • SERVICE WITH A SMILE AWARD--For displaying an upbeat attitude and grace under pressure, and being a positive role model for other staff. 
    • Winner: Katie Polanshek
  • ROCK SOLID AWARD--For being dependable, consistent, and steady in day-to-day job performance. 
    • Winner: Brian Miller
  • MISSION EXTRAORDINAIRE AWARD--For exemplifying our mission: to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. 
    • Winners: Rhania Bensafia & Gerry Mechum
  • THE EXTRA-MILE AWARD--For consistently going out of the way to help a co-worker, customer, or your supervisor. 
    • Winners: Amber Hayes & Aimee Mattila
  • AWESOMELY FUN AWARD--For building morale, having a good sense of humor, and making UCP Oregon an awesomely fun place to work in general. 
    • Winners: Thomas Pagh & Wilma Smeeton
  • THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AWARD--For being exceptional at cultivating creative solutions to complex problems. 
    • Winner: Sian Medway
  • STEP UP TO LEAD AWARD--For consistently stepping up to lead without being asked in those times when leadership is needed. 
    • Winners: Jennifer Chait & Bri Larson
  • COMIC RELIEF AWARD--For creating humor in the most challenging situations to lighten the mood–better to laugh than cry! 
    • Winner: Trina Bradford
  • RELATIONSHIP-BUILDER AWARD--For naturally cultivating strong and genuine relationships with customers and employees. 
    • Winner: Magnolia Lyle

UCP Is Hiring a Receptionist

12/29/2021

 
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Hi! We have an exciting opening to share with you.

UCP Oregon is hiring a Receptionist.


This is a great position for you if you enjoy multi-tasking, solving problems on the fly, and interacting with lots of different kinds of people, such as the folks we support, our employees, and the other people who drop by our office on a daily basis.

This position is open to both current employees and external applicants.

The person we hire can choose between two work schedules:
  • Schedule 1: Tuesday through Friday (9am to 5pm)
  • Schedule 2: Monday through Thursday (9am to 3:30pm)*

*The Friday schedule will alternate between (9am to 3:30pm and 10am to 4:30pm) based on UCP’s pay periods.

Learn More

Thanks to All Our Toy Giveaway Helpers

12/22/2021

 
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Angelica Butler and her family are very excited about their toys!
Well, that's a wrap! The 2021 UCP Family Support Annual Toy Giveaway was AWESOME!

We served 69 families and gave away over 200 toys. Woo hoo!

We'd like to send a gigantic thank you to UCP's Family Support Director, Katherine Ball. Katherine ran the entire event, start to finish--soliciting for toys, picking up toys, setting up the booth, and working both days.

Alas, due to some unforeseen events, Katherine had fewer volunteers than expected. She even had to put the gigantic UCP pop-up tent by herself; as she says, "I wish I had a video of it. It would have been a hilarious elf moment!"

Thank you so much for all your hard work, Katherine!

PS: All of the toys that couldn't be picked up at the Toy Giveaway were mailed out in time for them to arrive by Christmas Eve.

Katherine would like to say "thank you" to the following folks:

  • "Isabel Puleo-Young, a Personal Agent with UCP's newest brokerage (UCP Mentors) picked up half of the toys for us on Friday. She also volunteered at the Toy Giveaway itself. It was a nice way to get to know a new UCP employee."​
 
  • "Lisa Carter, a Personal Agent with UCP's original brokerage (UCP Connections) sent her sister-in-law, Maria, to help with the Toy Giveaway. Maria is visiting from Argentina for the holidays. I loved hearing that she came from summer in Argentina into Portland winter. She loves the cold weather."
​
  • "Jeni Davis, a UCP Board Member and Owner/Executive Director at New Horizons NW was with me all day on Sunday. She volunteered for last year’s toy drive as well. She is always a pleasure to spend time with."

Greetings from the 2021 Toy Drive

12/19/2021

 
Greetings from Day Two of UCP Oregon's Toy Giveaway!

It's rainy and cold, but our Holiday Elves are feeling festive and ready to give away some awesome toys!

NOTE: This is a two-day even for families who are raising children who experience cerebral palsy or a related disability. Families pre-registered to receive free toys.

Special thanks to our shivering Chief Elf, Katherine Ball (Family Support Director).

LENA'S STORY

12/17/2021

 
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Lena is a “Personal Assistant” in our Supported Living Department, which means that she works one-on-one a customer (Anita), helping Anita live independently in her own home. Recently, we asked our staff to share stories of their everyday work lives, and Lena wrote the following. Thanks, Lena!

​By Lena Ruminski, Personal Assistant
 
Though I have worked for UCP for almost four years, I never knew the kind of joy I could bring someone until this last September when I started working with Anita.
 
While Anita is a woman of few words (unless asked questions), there is one sure way to know that she is enjoying herself: her eyes. The first time I experienced her unique expression of joy was when I introduced her to one of the best things about fall: Starbucks’ seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte.
 
While Anita is a mocha gal herself, I convinced her to try the PSL and upon first sip, she was sold. She looked up at me after her first taste—and her blue eyes were two huge saucers as she exclaimed, “That’s good!”
 
And for the rest of her beverage, after every sip, her wide eyes returned.
 
After we finished up, we started our walk back to her apartment. I started walking fast (and pushing her wheelchair quickly, too) because I was getting chilly. I heard her say “This is fun!” So, I picked up the pace to give her a bit more of a thrill.
 
As I prepared to get her back inside her house, I stopped and turned to her. I saw those wide eyes again as she said, “Can we do that again?!?”

​Needless to say, we have been regulars at the Starbucks every Saturday shift for our weekly PSL fix.


UCP Receives a Grant, and Shares the Love

12/15/2021

 
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It's rainy and cold here in Oregon, but we're excited because we have some great news for you!

UCP Oregon was awarded a grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services, which we're using to highlight and celebrate the hard work of our Direct Support Professionals.

We created a "Share the Love" story project, where our direct support staff could share stories about their work life--the fun stuff, the hard stuff, and even the funny parts. Every person who submitted a story was awarded a $100 Visa gift card.

We received so many fabulous stories. We'll be sharing several of them here (see the link below) and on Facebook over the next few weeks, so make sure to check back in.
 
PS: Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a story!

*DSP's are employees who provide direct support to customers, such as Personal Assistants, Support Specialists, Support Coordinators, Personal Coordinators, Assistant Team Leaders, Substitute Support Professionals, Children’s Support Professionals, Job Coaches, and Employment Specialists.
Read the Stories We've Shared So Far

IT'S ALMOST TOY TIME!

12/14/2021

 
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Happy Tuesday! This is just a quick reminder that the 2021 Annual Toy Giveaway is this weekend.

Are you registered? The event is this Saturday and Sunday (December 18 & 19th), from 10am-4pm. It will be a drive-thru event in the UCP parking lot.


The event is for families who are raising children who experience cerebral palsy or a related disability. We'll have lots of toys to give away, holiday music, and some festive helpers! 
  • You must RSVP to participate.
  • Each family will get a 15 minute time slot.
  • Since it might rain, we're also planning to set up tent roofs to keep you dry as you get out of your car.

​We can't wait to see you.
RSVP

2021 Toy Giveaway Drive-Thru

12/1/2021

 
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​Happy December from UCP Oregon's Family Support Department!

We're excited to announce the 2021 Annual Toy Giveaway. The event will be held on December 18 & 19th, 10am-4pm. It will be a drive-thru event in the UCP parking lot.

The event is for families who are raising children who experience cerebral palsy or a related disability.

You must RSVP to participate.

Each family will get a 15 minute time slot. We'll have lots of toys to give away, and some festive helpers!

​We can't wait to see you.
RSVP Today!

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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 from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
    • Board Portal >
      • Board Meetings
      • Board Committees >
        • Development Committee
        • Executive Commitee
        • Family Support Task Force
        • Finance and Investment Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Recruitment Committee
      • Board Members
      • Strategic Planning
      • Bill Porter
      • Other
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services
    • Supported Employment >
      • For Job-Seekers
      • For Employers
      • Be "Ability Aware"
    • Supported Living
    • Children's Services
    • Family Support
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Applicants >
      • Share Your BPMF Story
  • CAREERS
    • Why You'll Love UCP
    • Careers FAQ
  • NEWS
  • EVENTS
    • Family Support Workshops
    • OMSI Play Labs
    • Coffee Dates
    • Family Support Group
    • Skate & Roll
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint
  • Share Your UCP Story
  • Join UCP Oregon's Board