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.

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!

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.

​

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.

As you may have heard, we will be opening our “Bill Porter Memorial Fund” for 2022 applications on February 1, 2022.
 
UCP customers, with assistance as needed from UCP staff, will be applying for funding 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 the funds.
 
One of our favorite examples is Bonnie, one of the Fund’s first recipients!
 
Bonnie was a teen who wanted more privacy and independence; she requested an attachment for the commode. As she said, “I have to have someone help me in the bathroom. I just turned 15 and this is embarrassing to me.”
​
The equipment changed her life. As Bonnie’s mom says, once the equipment arrived, Bonnie could suddenly use the bathroom on her own. Woo hoo!

​As you know, UCP Oregon believes in the power of real choice, real jobs, real homes, and real connections for all—a full life for those we serve.
 
But it’s obvious that, in many cases, experiencing a full life can be extremely challenging, given the funding and service delivery systems that currently exist for people with developmental disabilities.
 
That’s why we launched the Bill Porter Memorial Fund (BPMF) in 2018.
 
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.

 
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be opening the 2022 BPMF application process on February 1, 2022.
 
Note: Applicants must be currently receiving services from UCP Oregon to be considered.

UCP Oregon launched the Bill Porter Memorial Fund in 2018 in an effort to remove barriers and support meaningful lives for people experiencing disabilities.
​
​In 2019, the Fund accepted its first round of applicants. Below are some of their stories. (You can also read more stories here.)

• Kelcie experiences CP; she is using her BPMF funds to purchase a handheld shower head on an adjustable pole so she can bathe thoroughly and as independently as possible.
• David shared this: “In my home, I keep a variety of photo albums filled with postcards and photos. When I look through these albums, I realize how much I would like to take photos of my family and those involved in my life. I want to sign up for a photography class that can teach me how to use my camera and take photos at my own pace.” We’re excited to see hear how his class goes!
• Tanya asked for a slip-on upper body balance harness for her thirteen-year-old daughter, who experiences CP. The harness allows her daughter to balance on a yoga ball and practice trunk strength.
• Kim, who experiences an intellectual disability, recently took swimming classes, but found it difficult to get in and out of the pool. However, using BPMF funds, she will be able to swim at a pool closer to home where it’s easier to swim—and to make friends!
• Gracie, an 11-year-old girl with CP, epilepsy, and an undiagnosed neuromuscular disease, likes to swim, and wanted to share the experience with her family. Gracie used BPMF funds to purchase an annual aquatic center membership. As Gracie’s mom writes, “It’s been so exciting to finally find a physical activity that the entire family can do together and have fun, too!”