Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Cinnamon Bear Cruise! We had such a great time celebrating the season with UCP families. If you took photos during the cruise, we’d love to see them! You can email Grace, or use the form below. And, as always, thanks for being part of the UCP Family Support community. 
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:
 
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.  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.  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 almost spring! And happy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Seventeen million people experience CP worldwide; in the United States, around 1 million people experience CP. UCP Oregon has been supporting folks who experience CP since 1955. We’re proud to be part of this community and to offer the resources and advocacy that help people with CP live life on their own terms. 💚 Want to support CP awareness?💚
PS: On March 25th, our Family Support Department will be celebrating a fun bowling outing, where kiddos and families will be decked out in green to show their support. Check your email, because an invitation went out earlier this week!  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. |