 Hi, this is Corrie!
It's the holiday season, and many of us are feeling stretched a little thin. So, I wanted to share a free (and easy) way to make a difference... without spending a dime! Did you know that you can raise money for UCP, simply by shopping? It's true. Simply select "UCP Oregon" as your charity via Amazon's Smile program, and then use www.smile.amazon.com as your starting point whenever you shop on Amazon. We’ll get a donation every time you shop. You can raise free money at Fred Meyer's, too! I've personally raised $61.39 for UCP. It feels great knowing I'm making a difference all year long.  Happy December from UCP Oregon's Family Support Department!
We're excited to announce the 2022 Annual Toy Giveaway. The event will be held on December 21 and 22, from 10am-4pm. The event is for families who are raising children who experience cerebral palsy or a related disability. The event will be held indoors this year (instead of in the parking lot like the last two years). However, we will be taking COVID precautions to protect our staff, families and customers. We'll have lots of toys to choose from, holiday gift bags so you can hide the toy if needed as you leave the building, and cookies and hot chocolate for you to take with you. We can't wait to see you!  Join the movement that is #GivingTuesday!
Today, November 29th, millions of people around the world are taking the time to support the causes they care about the most. We are asking YOU to donate to UCP Oregon. Your donation will make a big difference for the 800 families and 1,000 adults with disabilities that we currently support in Oregon. Donate to UCP Oregon today!  It’s November. A month of gratitude and feasting… and also of mourning.
Have you heard about the National Day of Mourning? It falls on Thanksgiving Day, and is a way to honor and observe the real origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving has been celebrated since 1637, when it was proclaimed by the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony to celebrate the safe return of the men who had gone to fight against the Pequot tribe. The fighting led to the enslavement and massacre of over 700 Pequot men, women, and children. In 1970, a Native American leader named Wamsutta Frank James was invited to give a speech at an event celebrating the 350th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims. He wrote a speech focusing on the real history of Thanksgiving. The event’s organizers cancelled his appearance, which prompted him to start the National Day of Mourning. The National Day of Mourning has been observed ever since by many people across North America. Each year, hundreds of people gather in Plymouth to commemorate the National Day of Mourning. How will you commemorate the event? Learn more here:
 Have you heard of “This Is Our Voice”?
UCP Oregon launched this project in 2019 to talk about the workforce crisis in the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) arena. The platform was designed to ensure that all the voices within the disability community were heard, including those from customers, families and employees. A UCP customer and advocate, John Griffiths, was instrumental in getting the project going. Fast forward into a pandemic context, and alas the workforce crisis has increased as solutions have waned. The “This is Our Voice” project is therefore receiving increased attention. We’re asking you to once again share YOUR voice and YOUR experiences. We want to hear from UCP Oregon’s customers, families, employees—or anyone anywhere in the state who is affected by the I/DD workforce crisis. Our Executive Director, Ann Coffey, is primed to assist to share your stories, explain avenues of advocacy, and guide you in the appropriate direction for more formal complaint and grievances processes. The project webpage allows you to: (1) email us directly, (2) get easy links for being a self-advocate through the Go!Project, or (3) file a direct complaint and/or grievance with the State of Oregon or local case management entity.  We are excited to announce that UCP Oregon’s popular iFly Event is back!
This event gives kids in our Family Support Department the chance to experience indoor skydiving in a fun and safe indoor environment, with assistance from iFly’s trained professionals. All ability levels are welcome, but you must RSVP to participate. The event will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2022, from 4-7pm.  We're excited to announce that we're forming a group from UCP Family Support to attend the OMSI Play Labs.
OMSI Play Labs are incredibly fun! These free events are designed for children aged 0-6. OMSI is “offering the availability of free memberships” (wow!) and snacks to participants.  Did you know that November is "National Family Caregivers" Month (NFCM)?
It's a time to honor America's family caregivers, raise awareness about caregiving issues, and (hopefully!) increase support nationwide for caregivers. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Families are the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities in the U.S." Interestingly, DHS also points out that nearly half of all family caregivers in America are over the age 50. So, this November, please make sure to say an extra big "thank you" to the family caregivers in your life. And if you are the caregiver in your family, UCP Oregon wants to thank you for your hard work. We see you, and we appreciate you.  Did you know that November is “National Native American Heritage Month"? NOTE: The month is also known as “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.” During this month (and always!), we celebrate the rich and diverse contributions, cultures, and histories of the Native peoples of North American. We acknowledge the challenges Native people have faced in the past and today. And we amplify Native voices. This month is also a chance to acknowledge the intersection of disability and Native identity. According to the 2010 US Census, 24% of Native Americans and Alaska Natives have a disability. Tatiana Lee is an activist who experiences disabilities. She has Black and Native American ancestors. She is an actress and international model. Tatiana says, “I went through many struggles of sense of self and identity because I didn’t see myself represented. You feel like an outcast, a unicorn, but sometimes not always in a good way. I try to embrace the unicorn thing, but other times it feels isolating.” Here is a recent letter from UCP Oregon's Board of Directors regarding the paying of parents of minor children who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).
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