 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.  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.  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. 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.   We had so much fun at this week’s bowling party! Thank you to everyone who joined us—our families (plus Family Support Coordinator, Grace Tunning) came together for an afternoon of strikes, spares, and smiles. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun. We’re looking forward to many more fun events this year in Family Support—stay tuned!  💚Happy Spring! Happy National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day! 💚
Today—March 25th—we’re joining people across the country to celebrate National CP Awareness Day! Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, but it’s also about so much more than a diagnosis. It’s a vibrant, diverse community of kids, adults, families, caregivers, and allies who are redefining what inclusion, opportunity, and independence look like every day. Here at UCP Oregon, we’re celebrating all the amazing folks with CP who are part of our community! Plus our Family Support Department is getting in the spirit today with a fun bowling outing, where kiddos and families will be decked out in green to celebrate. 💚 Want to know how YOU can support CP awareness?💚
 UCP Oregon's 2025 Bill Porter Memorial Fund application period is closing soon! Don’t miss your chance to apply--the deadline is March 31st, 2025. This unique fund helps UCP Oregon customers pursue their goals, from home renovations to tech, travel, education, wellness, and more. Apply now! PS: Spread the word—help us reach as many eligible UCP Oregon customers as possible!  We are thrilled to announce that the 2025 Bill Porter Memorial Fund (BPMF) is officially open for applications! The fund, created in honor of Oregonian Bill Porter, supports UCP Oregon's customers in pursuing opportunities that enhance their quality of life. Previous recipients have used their BPMF awards for:
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 Hi, UCP Oregon Families!
Are you looking for a chance to connect, share stories, and enjoy some coffee? Join us for a Coffee Date! These gatherings are an opportunity for you to meet UCP’s new Family Support Coordinator, Grace. She’d love to learn about your experiences, hear your feedback and ideas, and chat about how we can support your family. Coffee Dates are also a great chance to chat with other families from UCP Oregon's Family Support Department, share experiences, and maybe even make a new friend! Notes:
PS: If you’d like Grace to host a coffee date on a more convenient date or in a more convenient location, please let us know. SLIDESHOW:Awww, look at those smiles! UCP Oregon’s 2024 Toy Giveaway was AMAZING! The event was held on December 21st and 22nd, 2024, and was open to all families who use UCP Oregon’s Family Support Services. A total of 110 kids received toys. For the first time ever, we were able to offer adaptive toys, thanks to a partnership with Go Baby Go Oregon. Twenty-four of UCP’s families chose this option, and they’ll be receiving the specially adapted toy of their choice in January. Gigantic thanks to Go Baby Go (and especially UCP Board Member Bethany Sloane) for making this possible! We also wish to thank:
VIDEO:Awww! Check out the amazing photos (above) and video (below) from UCP's Cinnamon Bear Cruise, held on December 7, 2024.
Thanks to our incredible donors, this festive holiday event was free, and open to all families in UCP Oregon’s Family Support Department. Twenty-four families (including 42 kiddos) set sail on the Portland Spirit. They got to meet the famous Cinnamon Bear, and enjoyed live entertainment and holiday treats. Grace Tunning, UCP’s new Family Support Coordinator, shared her experience: “Coordinating this event and being part of such a special holiday tradition was truly an honor. I loved meeting so many families and kiddos and witnessing the joy and celebration aboard the cruise. This community is truly wonderful, and I’m so grateful to be part of it!” A huge thank you to:
Here’s to more moments of joy and connection in the new year. ❤️ |