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​Celebrating Pride 2025

6/1/2025

 
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June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate, reflect, and stand with our LGBTQIA2S+ community. At UCP Oregon, we honor the diverse identities and experiences within our community, including those of our clients, families, and staff.
​
This month (and always!), we’re proud to recognize the strength and resilience of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, especially those living with disabilities. Your stories matter, and we're here to support and uplift you.

Looking to join in the celebrations? Here are some local events happening around Portland:
  • Portland Pride Waterfront Festival & Parade
    July 19–20 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
    A vibrant weekend filled with music, food, and community.
    Details: portlandpride.org
  • Pride Portland! Parade & Festival
    June 21.
    A day of celebration and unity in downtown Portland.
    More info: prideportland.org
  • Multnomah County Library Pride Events
    Family-friendly activities throughout June, including storytimes and art projects.
    Schedule: multcolib.org
  • Indigiqueer Pride Gathering
    June 1, 1–4 PM at Midland Library.
    Celebrating Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer voices with performances and activities.
    Event details: PDX Parent, Queer Social Club
  • Portland Pride Run
    June 14.
    A fun run supporting LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
    Register: The Official Guide to Portland

Pride is more than a month—it’s a commitment to inclusion, visibility, and love. We stand with you this June and every day.

UCP'S ART CLUB WAS A HIT

5/18/2025

 
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UCP Oregon believes that art is for everyone.

That’s why our Family Support Coordinator, Grace, recently launched the UCP Art Club—a new opportunity for families served by our Family Support Department to explore creativity together.

The UCP Art Club was designed to be a welcoming space where kids of all abilities and skill levels can dive into art, while their parents connect with other caregivers.

Our first Art Club gathering took place earlier this year, and was filled with creativity, connection, and fun. 
​
PS: A huge thank you to our generous host, CHAP (Children's Healing Art Project), for making this creative experience possible.

MOVIE SCREENING: JUNE, 2025

5/16/2025

 
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Got plans for Sunday, June 22nd? If not—you do now!

The Hollywood Theatre is hosting a second screening of a powerful, locally made documentary about disability and identity.

The film (We are the Most Beautiful People) was created by three incredible filmmakers who all experience disability in different ways. UCP Oregon is proud to be one of the project’s sponsors.

Several UCP customers and employees were able to attend the first Portland area screening. That screening sold out in a single day! 


So here's your next chance to see the film: Sunday, June 22nd at 2pm at the Hollywood Theatre.

We believe in amplifying the voices of people with disabilities—and this film does exactly that. 
As Zian Chavez, the film’s producer, puts it:

“Our groundbreaking film challenges societal norms, exploring the profound themes of ableism, racism, intersectionality, and the distinction between Disability Rights and Disability Justice. This is the first film uniting a minority—the largest minority—Persons with Disabilities, that spans the globe.”
PURCHASE TICKETS
EVENT DETAILS:
  • Location: the Hollywood Theatre.
  • Date: June 22nd at 2pm. 

Upcoming Workshop: “Making AAC Work This Summer”

5/16/2025

 
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“Making AAC Work This Summer – A Q&A for Parents”
Presented by Dr. Natalie Andzik
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM (Online via Zoom)

Wondering how to keep your child using their AAC device this summer—or how to get started? 
​​
Join us for an engaging, parent-focused Q&A with Dr. Natalie Andzik, a national expert on AAC and complex communication needs. Dr. Andzik will share real-world tips and answer your questions about making AAC part of everyday routines and summer activities.
LEARN MORE

2025 FAMILY SUPPORT SURVEY

5/14/2025

 
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Hi, UCP Oregon families!
 
Did you know that we’ve created a survey to hear directly from families like yours?
 
We’re currently planning how to spend the UCP Oregon Family Support budget for next year. We want to make sure we’re budgeting for the events and services that are most important to your family.
 
But in order to do so, we need to hear from you! Please take the time to share your thoughts today. This is your chance to influence what comes next for Family Support!
 
The survey will close on May 31, 2025.

  • LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SURVEY.
  • TAKE THE SURVEY.

UCP Oregon’s 2025 Photo Contest Is Here!

5/13/2025

 
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We’re excited to announce UCP Oregon’s first-ever Photo Contest—and we want you to be part of it!

We’re looking for authentic, vibrant photos that celebrate the UCP community. The winning entries will be featured in our new Strategic Plan, as well as on our website, social media, and other marketing materials.

Who can enter?
  • Anyone in the UCP community—customers, employees, and families—is welcome to participate!

Deadline:
  • Submit your photos by Sunday, June 8th.

Prizes:
  • Cover Image Prize – $100 for the photo selected as the cover of our Strategic Plan.
  • Most Usable Photos Prize – $100 for the largest number of usable photos submitted.

Want all the details? Click here to read the full announcement.

NATIONAL ADVOCACY UPDATE (APRIL, 2025)

4/23/2025

 
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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.
Read the Newsletter

Alaska, Airplanes & a Very Big Fish: Kelcie’s BPMF Story

4/2/2025

 
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​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.
 
It was a trip filled with “firsts!”
 
It was my first time traveling alone, my first time flying, and my first time in Alaska, and while I was there, I caught my first fish! A big salmon as long as my body or even longer!
 
I had also talked about this trip for ten years before it happened and the BPMF made it possible sooner rather than later on in life, which I will forever be grateful for!

​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.
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Autism Acceptance Month Starts Today!

4/1/2025

 
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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:
  • Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) – run by and for autistic people.
  • Autism Acceptance vs. Autism Awareness (Autism Parenting Magazine) – explains the shift from awareness to acceptance.
  • Autism Society of Oregon – support, events, and advocacy across the state.

THE 2025 BPMF IS NOW CLOSED

3/31/2025

 
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The Bill Porter Memorial Fund is now officially closed for 2025!

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. We were absolutely thrilled by the turnout—we received 115 applications in total. Wow!

​
So, what happens next?
  • Applications will be carefully reviewed by UCP Oregon’s Leadership Team.
  • We expect to announce this year’s award recipients by early May.

And don’t worry—we’ll be notifying everyone who applied, whether or not they’re selected to receive funding.
​
We truly wish we could fund every single request. Thanks again to everyone who applied.
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UCP Oregon
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97220

​Phone: 503-777-4166
​Fax: 503-771-8048
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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