Each December, dozens of UCP Oregon families raising children with cerebral palsy or other disabilities climb aboard the Portland Spirit for one of our most beloved traditions—the Cinnamon Bear Cruise.
You can help make this special day possible by sponsoring a family’s spot on the cruise. UCP families love this event! They get to meet Cinnamon Bear, share breakfast, connect, and relax as they enjoy a magical cruise down the Willamette River. Every year, UCP covers the full cost of this event so that every family can participate. But this year, as event costs rise, we’re inviting our community to help keep the magic afloat. Your gift can make a difference:
 
What a night! Last evening, we opened our doors and welcomed our customers, employees, and the whole UCP Oregon community into our new office space. It was such a joy to see so many familiar faces—and plenty of new ones, too! Guests toured our beautiful new home, met staff, shared stories, and celebrated the next chapter of UCP Oregon together. Events like this remind us what makes UCP Oregon so special: our people. Whether you’ve been with us for decades or are just joining the UCP family, you’re part of the community that keeps our mission alive. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to celebrate with us—we can’t wait to see what’s next! PS: we'll be sharing some photos from the event soon. If you'd like to share your photos from the event, please email Corrie, UCP Marketing Coordinator. 
We are so excited to share one of UCP Oregon's upcoming Family Support events: “Collaging It Out.”
The event will be hosted by fellow UCP mom and artist Lenore Eklund, and is available both online and in person. Lenore will be there to offer ideas and support for anyone who wants it, but you're also welcome to work at your own pace and in your own way. The event is all about expressing yourself, letting go of stress, and enjoying the process. You’ll also be able to connect with fellow parents and caregivers. The event will be held on Thursday, November 6th (from 6-7:30pm). Thanks for joining us, moms of UCP!
What a great morning. On May 17th, 9 moms came together at 19 Acres Cider Co. to paint pots, plant flowers, and just hang out with other moms who understand what it’s like to raise a child with a disability. Big thanks to Portland Paints and our awesome instructor, M’Lynn Suwinski for making the painting part so easy and fun—no experience needed, just good vibes and plenty of paint. We are also so grateful to 19 Acres Cider Co. (shout out to Courtney!) for welcoming and hosting us in their beautiful space. And of course, thank you to Whole Foods for providing the delicious brunch treats. And we can’t say this enough: huge shout-out to Grace, our Family Support Coordinator, who planned the whole thing and made it feel so welcoming. UCP Oregon’s Family Support Department is here for families raising kids who experience cerebral palsy or other disabilities.  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.  “Making AAC Work This Summer – A Q&A for Parents”
Presented by Dr. Natalie Andzik Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM (Online via Zoom) Wondering how to keep your child using their AAC device this summer—or how to get started? Join us for an engaging, parent-focused Q&A with Dr. Natalie Andzik, a national expert on AAC and complex communication needs. Dr. Andzik will share real-world tips and answer your questions about making AAC part of everyday routines and summer activities.  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!  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: Great news! We still have openings for our Family Support Toy Giveaway, which will be held on Saturday & Sunday, December 21st & 22nd.
This event is only open to families who use services from our Family Support Department. Event Details:
Accessible Toys This year, we are hoping to offer some switch-adapted toys, adapted books, or other modified, accessible toys. If an accessible toy would allow your child to engage in play more independently, please let us know when you RSVP, or email Grace Tunning, UCP's Family Support Coordinator. While we may not be able to fully meet every request this year, we're asking and gathering feedback so we can be better prepared for next year. We hope to provide even more accessible toy options in the future! We Are Also Looking for a Few More Volunteers! Thank you so much to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer at the event. If you or your family are interested in volunteering, please click here to view available volunteer shifts. We're excited to share the season with you! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out Grace Tunning, UCP's Family Support Coordinator. |