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. 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. ❤️  Great news! UCP Oregon was able to snag a few more tickets for the 2024 Cinnamon Bear Cruise! 🎄🐻 These tickets are exclusively for families who use our Family Support services. If that’s you, check your email for details or register below! PS: We've had a bit of trouble with our email system, so if you didn’t receive an invitation, please reach out to Grace Tunning, our Family Support Coordinator.   Happy Giving Tuesday!
UCP Oregon is thrilled to tell you that 100% of this week's donations will directly support our Family Support Department! 💙 Your generosity will help us create joyful experiences for kids who experience developmental disabilities, including fun outings such as adaptive skate nights. You'll also help us provide valuable support groups for parents. Plus, you’ll be part of bringing the 2025 Family Support Conference to life—connecting hundreds of parents and professionals right here in Portland to learn and grow together. Thank you for making a difference! Your support means the world to the 800+ families we serve. 💙  Hello from UCP's Family Support Department! We're excited to tell you that our new Family Support Coordinator, Grace Tunning, has been hard at work. She started on November 4th. So far, Grace is loving her job. She says, "It has been a joy these past couple weeks learning all the incredible ways the Family Support Department has impacted and supported the children and families in our community for so many years. I am honored to carry on this important work and tradition!" Upcoming Family Support Events:
Contact Grace: Are you a family who uses UCP's Family Support services? If so, you should have received an email from Grace today with more information. If you didn't receive the email from Grace today, you can contact Grace below, and she'll add you to our Family Support email list. Thanks!  Dear UCP Community, My name is Grace Tunning. I’d like to introduce myself as UCP Oregon's new Family Support Coordinator. I’ve been with UCP Oregon for three years, working as an Assessment and Quality Coordinator for one of UCP's two brokerages (UCP Mentors). I bring with me:
I am eager to transition into this new position on Monday, November 4th. As you may know, UCP Oregon's Family Support Department currently supports over 900 families who are raising children with cerebral palsy or related disabilities. UCP's Family Support Department provides assistance from diagnosis to adulthood, including:
As UCP's Family Support Coordinator, I am looking for ways to collaborate and more effectively meet the needs of children and families. I am eager to work together to enhance access to the resources and services in our community. Whether through joint events, shared resources, referral networks, promoting opportunities, or collaborative programs, our partnerships can help us all achieve our objectives and ultimately improve the lives of those we serve. If you have question or concerns, or would like more information about UCP Oregon's Family Support Department, I’m here to help. Please reach out to me directly via email or at 971-888-2927. I look forward to connecting with each of you. Thank you for the work that you do! Warm regards, Grace Tunning Family Support Coordinator, UCP Oregon UNTIL 11/4/24: UCP's new Family Support Coordinator, Grace Tunning, will be starting on 11/4/24. Until then, UCP's fabulous employees are here to help you!
 Dear UCP Community,
We wish to inform you that UCP Oregon’s Family Support Director, Katherine Ball, has moved on to pursue new opportunities. We appreciate her years of service and wish her well in her future endeavors. Katherine’s gifts were supporting families who were navigating new diagnoses, and providing information and referrals on a vast array of topics. UCP Oregon will be recruiting to fill the Family Support Director position soon. In the meantime:
This will be a big transition for all of us. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. Sincerely, Ann Coffey, Executive Director UCP Oregon  Did you know that UCP Oregon has an online support group, open to all Oregon & SW Washington families who are raising a child with cerebral palsy or a closely related disability?
It's called "Gimme A Break" (GAB). The meetings are held monthly via Zoom. During the meeting, families get the chance to connect with other families in a safe and non-judgmental space. They share ideas and resources, cheer for each other, vent, and just talk.
 Happy March! Did you know that March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month?
The theme was created in 2006 by the Cerebral Palsy Advocacy Group. This is a very special month for UCP Oregon. As you may know, UCP Oregon was created in 1955 as a way to support families who were raising children who experienced cerebral palsy. Since then, we’ve expanded quite a bit! Today we support children and adults who experience ANY intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). But UCP’s Family Support Department still does vital work to support families who are raising children who experience cerebral palsy or a closely-related disorder. How are YOU planning to celebrate National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month? |