UCP Oregon
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Parade Pics!

6/9/2022

 
We had so much fun at the the 2022 Junior Rose Parade!

A huge thank you goes out to our Family Support Director, Katherine Ball, for organizing the event. Those balloons were so cool!

And another thanks to Lillieth Cusick Grand for taking (and sharing!) so many great photos.

And thanks to everyone who attended or watched!

AN UPDATE ABOUT LINDA

5/16/2022

 
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​Hey, this is really cool!

A former customer of UCP Oregon was one of the consultants for Portland’s new inclusive playground at Gabriel Park.

You might remember Linda from her days as a customer of UCP Oregon's Supported Employment Services.

Linda used our services while she worked as a research assistant in Portland State University’s Universal Design Lab. She was also featured in one of our Annual Reports.

Linda recently served on Portland Parks & Recreation's Gabriel Park Playground Advisory Committee.
 
Linda was born in Portland—a city with numerous beautiful parks—but, as Linda says, when she went to the playground as a kid, “I could not do anything, but I would sit my feet in the wading pool.”

That's why Linda was delighted to serve on the Gabriel Park Playground Advisory Committee. While Linda wishes inclusive playgrounds had existed when she was a kid, late is better late than never!

The new playground officially opened on May 14th.
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SHARE YOUR UCP OREGON STORY

3/7/2022

 
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Hello! If you're a customer of UCP, a family member of a UCP customer, or a UCP employee, we'd love to hear from you. We'd also love to share YOUR story with the world.

You can share almost anything:
  • A photo.
  • A story.
  • A tip or hack.
  • Or anything you'd like the rest of the UCP family to know.
SHARE YOUR UCP OREGON STORY

Supported Employment Update

2/16/2022

 
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Hello! Here we are, almost two years into the pandemic.
 
UCP’s Supported Employment division (“Employment Solutions”) is hard at work.
 
We support adults with disabilities to have great jobs in the community. As you might imagine, this can be somewhat difficult during a pandemic. But our customers are working, challenging themselves, getting raises and promotions, starting new jobs, and making new connections.
 
Being able to celebrate their successes keeps us smiling, even though we (like you!) are tired.
 
Here are a few recent stories that will make YOU smile, too!
  • One of our customers has been working as a caregiver during the pandemic. She has helped so many people live a safe and happy life. She entered our services years ago, dreaming about doing caregiving for a living, and worked hard to find a position in the field. We are so happy to have been a part of her journey towards getting her dream job.       
  • Another customer has been looking for work since the beginning of the pandemic. He recently found a great position that is a perfect fit! He just started his job this month, and his employer is already asking if he wants to work more hours and learn new tasks since he is such an important member of their fast-growing business. We are excited to support the customer (and the business!) in our new partnership.       
  • A customer recently had a job interview and was offered a job on the spot! The customer asked for time to discuss the offer with his employment team. Ultimately, the customer decided to say “no thank you” to the job offer; he wanted to find a position that was a little closer to home, with different job tasks. Our team supported him in his decision, and together we came up with a new game plan that matches better with his preferences. Customer choice all the way!       
 
 

MEET MORE BILL PORTER APPLICANTS

2/11/2022

 
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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!

DONATE TO THE FUND
APPLY TO THE FUND

MEET ANDREW (AND OTHER BILL PORTER APPLICANTS)

2/5/2022

 
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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.
​
Donate to the BPMF here

Eeek! It's So Exciting

1/25/2022

 
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EEEK! In one week, the Bill Porter Memorial Fund will be opening for 2022 applications.

We're so excited! How about you?

If you're a current customer of UCP Oregon, we hope you're getting ready!

And if you're a supported of UCP Oregon, we hope you'll consider donating!

Customers, Learn More Here
Donors, Learn More Here

Meet Bonnie (A Bill Porter Recipient)

1/20/2022

 
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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!

Learn more about the Fund

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).
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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 used under Creative Commons from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services >
        • Brokerage Videos
    • Supported Employment >
      • For Job-Seekers
      • For Employers
      • Be "Ability Aware"
    • Supported Living
    • Children's Services
    • Family Support
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Applicants
  • CAREERS
    • Why You'll Love UCP
    • Careers FAQ
  • NEWS
  • EVENTS
    • Family Support Workshops
    • Family Support Group
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
    • Skate Night
    • Family Conference
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors >
      • Bill Porter Honor Roll
    • For Readers of Portland Business Journal >
      • Learn More About Us
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint
  • Share Your UCP Story