 From the Desk of Ann Coffey, Executive Director
Dear UCP Oregon Community, What a year! There has been so much growth and change. It’s been thrilling, challenging, interesting, and engaging, and I am so grateful that we were together. High fives all around! I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to every member of this community—customers, employees, families, board members, donors, and supporters. To the employees who are working through the holidays to ensure that our customers have many joyful moments, we are especially grateful. When you have time, please take a moment to reflect. What have we shared? What have we learned? How will we show up to provide excellent supports to customers? How will we support one another? Thank you again for all that you do. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and a new year filled with health, hope, and happiness. Sincerely, Ann Coffey Executive Director UCP Oregon  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.  Happy Thanksgiving, UCP Family!
Today, we’re feeling extra grateful for all of YOU—our amazing customers, staff, families, board members, supporters, and partners, as well as the larger intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. You’re the heart of everything we do, and we couldn’t be more thankful to have you in our corner. We also want to take a moment to reflect on what this day means for Indigenous peoples. For many, it’s not just Thanksgiving—it’s also the National Day of Mourning, a time to honor the strength and resilience of Native communities and to remember the injustices they continue to face. So, as you gather with loved ones, let’s celebrate all we’re grateful for while also committing to building a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. Wishing you love, connection, and a full plate this Thanksgiving!  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!
 Hi, UCP Community! We thought it would be fun to check in with UCP’s Anna Williams, after 11 months on the job as UCP Oregon’s Accounting Specialist. As many of you will remember, Anna joined UCP in 2023, replacing Janet Fromdahl, who had been at UCP Oregon for 10 years. Here’s what Anna has to say after 11 months on the job. What Are Your Favorite Parts of the Job? Aside from amazing spreadsheets? I actually really love that I'm in a position to support others, and I enjoy working with this team. I may not work directly with customers, but I relish making things as effortless as possible for those that do. What Are Your Interests? I love to spend time with my family (on both sides of the pond), and to travel when I get the chance. My favorite spot in the world so far is Cambodia, with New Zealand in close second. I also dabble in yoga, some craftiness, baking, enjoy a good book, and like to nerd out on the nuances of language. What Advice Would You Share with a New UCP Employee? Don’t spin your wheels when you can ask the team--somebody usually knows, or knows who does. It’s a safe space and I’ve found everyone to be wonderful! Embrace the journey!  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.   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!  Happy September! And happy third birthday to UCP Mentors!
UCP Oregon has been offering brokerage services (under the name of “UCP Connections”) since 2010. At the height of the COVID pandemic in 2021, we took on the challenge of launching a second brokerage, which we named “UCP Mentors.” Establishing a new brokerage during such a turbulent time was no small feat, but it was a crucial step. Our goal was to ensure that over 600 brokerage customers, previously served by a closing brokerage, continued to receive the quality support they deserved. And here we are—three years later. We’re proud to report that UCP Mentors is thriving. Today, and always, we wish to extend a gigantic thank you to:
PS: UCP Connections is still thriving. Next year, Connections will be celebrating their 15th birthday! |