 UCP Oregon is incredibly pleased to introduce you to our new Receptionist, Haleigh McBain (they/them).
After UCP’s previous Receptionist moved to UCP's Employment Solutions division, we looked far and wide to find a perfect fit for the Receptionist position. And we found that person in Haleigh McBain. Haleigh brings a great deal of related experience to UCP. Haleigh says, “I have worked in summer camps. I also worked as a registered behavioral technician at a clinic in Portland, and moved to a position in their administrative department the following year. I really enjoy working alongside adults and families of children with disabilities, providing personalized support and advocacy.” Haleigh also spent a number of years as a barista managing cafes in Seattle and Portland. Haleigh grew up in Kirkland, Washington, and moved to Portland in 2020. Haleigh says, “I love the outdoors: especially swimming, hiking, and camping! I also really enjoy live music and I am currently taking calligraphy class.” Haleigh adds, “Everyone has been very welcoming and helpful! I am very excited to be working for UCP!”  UCP Oregon is excited to introduce Jude Mertes, UCP’s new Office Manager. Jude (they/them) started at UCP on August 19th, replacing Mackenzie Snell, who had been at UCP for 16 years. Jude is a recent transplant to Oregon, and has only been in Portland for about a year. Jude says, “I was raised in Alaska. I have a degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I’m an animal lover by nature, and I worked at a veterinary hospital for six years prior to my move to Oregon. I also volunteered at an organization called 40 Below Reptiles, where I helped care for, rescue, birth, and raise Green Anacondas, pythons, and a sweet albino alligator named Max.” Jude says, “I love books, music, baking, and tabletop games, and, if prompted, I will discuss any of these things for hours at a time!” Jude adds, “I love crafting. I have a 3d resin printer, and I craft with hand-poured resin. I am currently trying (and mostly succeeding, albeit slowly) to learn how to crochet. Ask me about snake ownership if you like fun stories about trying to get a reptile to listen to you. And ask me about history if you like long-winded stories about military stratagem or boats!” Welcome to UCP, Jude! We’re so glad you’re here.   Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work at UCP? Here’s one person’s take.
Meet Trina Bradford (she/her). Trina joined UCP in 2021 as a Support Specialist in our “Foundations” Department, but was soon promoted to an Assistant Team Leader. Trina’s team is known as the Willow Team. (Fun fact: both of UCP’s Supported Living Teams are named after trees.) Trina says her favorite part of the job is “collaborating with customers and coworkers to find solutions. I truly believe in the work we do here. Having a job that feels meaningful is everything. My coworkers are what make it fun!” Trina currently supports a small caseload of customers, assisting customers with practical, daily living tasks to develop their independence. Trina also supervises two teams of Personal Assistants, who work in the homes of the customers she supports. Like most folks at UCP, Trina has lots of interests. As she says, when she’s not at UCP, “You might find me at a music festival, camping, snowshoeing on Mt. Hood, getting lost in the Oregon Outback, or at the wildflower extravaganza at Mt. Rainier. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, rock hunting, archaeology, bird watching, and supporting my LGBTQ+ community. I'm always up for new adventures and meeting great people!”  This week (September 8-14), we celebrate the incredible Direct Support Professionals who are the heart and soul of UCP Oregon.
Direct Support Professionals (also known as “DSPs”) are known at UCP by many names, such as Support Specialists, Substitute Support Specialists, Personal Assistants, and Job Coaches. Direct Support Professionals provide essential support to individuals with disabilities, helping them achieve their goals, participate in the community, and live fulfilling lives. We thank all of UCP’s Direct Support Professionals for their dedication, compassion, and hard work. They make a difference in so many lives, and we are grateful for each and every one of them! PS: If you are a customer, family member, or supporter of UCP, please take a moment to recognize and thank UCP’s amazing DSPs for all they do!  Hello, UCP Community.
We have some sad news. UCP Oregon’s fabulous Office Manager, Mackenzie Snell, is moving on after an incredible 16 years at UCP. Many of you know Mackenzie. You’ve likely spoken to her on the phone, or met her in person. Mackenzie has always ensured that everyone at UCP feels valued and welcomed. Behind the scenes, Mackenzie has been the rock that many folks at UCP relied on. She coordinated UCP’s technology, interfacing with our IT consultants, and updating and distributing equipment. She handled a number of of important administrative tasks. She supervised UCP’s petty cash, ordered supplies, and so much more. As Suzannah Newman, HR Director says, “Over the years, so many employees have reached out to sing Mackenzie’s praises. She is one of the first faces that employees, customers and the general public see when they walk in the door, and her commitment to excellent customer services shines through. Mackenzie also helps to keep agency operations running smoothly and efficiently. Mackenzie frequently saves the day! My team will not be the same without her.” We'll miss Mackenzie dearly, but we're also super excited for her next adventure. Mackenzie has shared that she will be working as an Office Manager at a small law firm near her home. Mackenzie says, “I will miss everyone at UCP! I’m so grateful I got to experience the close relationships I have made over the years with my amazing co-workers and our wonderful customers. I will always support UCP’s mission and cherish my time with you all.” Thank you, Mackenzie, for everything you've done. You've made a huge impact, and we'll never forget it. PS: Want to send your best wishes to Mackenzie? You can email her below.  Congratulations to Amy Gorrell!
Amy was recently promoted to a new position at UCP Oregon, that of “Direct Support and Quality Assurance Manager.” Amy Gorrell has been with UCP since 2015, serving most recently as an Assistant Team Leader in UCP’s Supported Living Department, which is known as “UCP Foundations.” Before that, Amy served as a Support Specialist, and also worked one-on-one as a Personal Assistant. In her new position, Amy will be supervising UCP’s team of Substitute Support Professionals. Amy will also provide documentation support and training for UCP’s Supported Living Team. Amy will also coordinate UCP’s emergency pager system. About her new job, Amy says, “I’m very excited to work with our amazing team of Substitute Support Specialists. I’ve loved working with the Foundations Team these past 9 years, and I’m so happy I get the opportunity to contribute to the team in this new capacity.” Amy started in her new job on June 23rd. Make sure to congratulate Amy the next time you see her!  Congratulations to Kelly Castagnola!
Many of you know Kelly. Kelly has worked for UCP Oregon for almost 23 years, most recently as UCP’s “Training and Supports Manager.” In that position, she supervised UCP’s employee training program and UCP’s pool of Substitute Support Specialists. But we’re pleased to report that Kelly recently accepted a new position at UCP—that of “Employee Engagement and Organizational Development Coordinator.” In her new position, Kelly will be able to focus 100% on employee learning, as well as employee development, retention and engagement activities. Woo hoo! Kelly says, “I’m looking forward to making a positive impact on all UCP teams by enhancing our onboarding and ongoing learning opportunities, as well as enriching the overall employee experience and improving retention.” PS: For those of you who are wondering, today we began to recruit internally for a "Direct Support and Quality Assurance Manager"--a new position that includes many of Kelly's old duties.  Have you met UCP’s new Talent Acquisitions Lead, Katelyn Obregon? She recently replaced Kristin Heying, who had been with UCP since 2017.
Katelyn has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Linfield College, and began her career in talent acquisition soon after receiving her degree. Before starting at UCP, she did recruiting in the healthcare and engineering fields. Katelyn is from McMinnville, Oregon, and has lived in Portland since 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, visiting to the Oregon Coast, going to concerts, wine tasting, and traveling to new places. The next time you’re at the UCP Office, feel free to stop by Katelyn’s office to say hello!  We’d like to share some great “behind-the-scenes” news.
UCP applied for—and received—funds via the federal government’s Employee Retention Credit (ERC). After we received the funds, we asked all of our departments to create a “wish list” of wants and needs. Below are some of the items from those wishlists that we’ll be funding in the coming months:
We’d like to thank Esther Large (UCP’s Finance Director) and John Hancock (a long-term member of UCP’s Board of Directors), for their work related to the ERC funds! We’d also like to thank the entire UCP Board of Directors for their ongoing commitment to supporting UCP’s workforce and our delivery of quality services.  April is Autism Acceptance Month. In honor of this month, UCP Oregon would like to share a piece written by Andrew Haynes. Andrew is the Brokerage Administrative Assistant for UCP Connections, and is a person with Asperger’s. Andrew would like to thank Silas Bird (Operations Coordinator for UCP Connections) for assistance in creating this piece. By Andrew Haynes, Brokerage Administrative Assistant, with assistance from Silas Bird, Operations Coordinator Autism Acceptance Month is a time to celebrate and embrace the unique qualities of individuals on the autism spectrum. It's no longer enough to simply raise awareness about autism; we must shift our focus towards acceptance and inclusion. We must advocate for policies that prioritize inclusion, education, employment opportunities, healthcare access, and social support for autistic individuals. Autism Speaks The article "Autism Speaks doesn’t speak for Autism" by Isabelle Ouyang provides a compelling argument against the popular organization Autism Speaks. The author argues that Autism Speaks perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigmatizes individuals with autism rather than helping them. Ouyang points out that Autism Speaks' advertising campaigns often portray autism as a tragedy, which can lead to negative attitudes towards those with the condition. Additionally, the organization's focus on finding a cure for autism implies that people with autism need to be fixed or cured rather than accepted and supported. The author also critiques the lack of representation of autistic individuals in leadership positions within the organization, which can lead to a disconnect between those making decisions and those directly affected by them. Many individuals with autism have spoken out against Autism Speaks, stating that they do not accurately represent their experiences or perspectives. The Puzzle Piece Symbol The puzzle piece has been a symbol of autism awareness for decades, but it is time to retire this outdated symbol. The puzzle piece implies that individuals with autism are incomplete or missing something, which is not only inaccurate but also offensive. Autism is not a puzzle to be solved or fixed; it is a neurological difference that should be accepted and celebrated. Furthermore, the puzzle piece does not accurately represent the diversity within the autistic community. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that individuals with autism have varying abilities and challenges. Using one symbol to represent such a diverse group of people oversimplifies their experiences and perpetuates stereotypes. Instead of using the puzzle piece, we should listen to and amplify the voices of autistic individuals themselves. They can tell us what symbols or language they prefer and what truly represents them as unique individuals. It's time to move away from outdated symbols like the puzzle piece and towards more inclusive representations of autism. It is crucial for organizations working with marginalized communities to prioritize listening to and uplifting their voices rather than speaking for them without their input or consent. |