 FROM THE DESK OF SUZANNAH NEWMAN, HR DIRECTOR, UCP OREGON
Happy almost spring! Before we move into a new season, we want to make sure to catch up on all the “winter” news from UCP. First up: a giant shout-out to UCP’s Recruiting and Employment Strategies Manager, Kristin Heying! Kristin single-handedly secured a grant from Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS). The grant allowed us to fund retention bonuses for UCP’s direct support staff. Bonuses were issued at the end of December, 2021. Thanks to everyone who helped make the bonuses happen, including our Finance Department (Janet Fromdahl and Esther Large), and, of course, our direct support employees themselves, who have been working so hard during challenging times. This year, we are applying for additional grants, and are continuing to lobby at a state level, with the goal of ensuring that all direct care staff in Oregon are receiving fair and equitable compensation.  As you may have heard, UCP Oregon opened our “Bill Porter Memorial Fund”(BPMF) for 2022 applications on February 1, 2022.
UCP customers, with assistance as needed from UCP staff, are applying to fund for life improvement projects that fall outside of the typical scope of funding. We thought it might be fun to share some past examples of how folks used their BPMF funds.
 February is Black History Month. It’s a time to hold space for Black Americans, to recognize and celebrate and grieve parts of American history that may feel all too invisible. For UCP Oregon, it’s also a time to celebrate the contributions and struggles of Black people who experience disabilities. Currently, 5.5 million Black Americans are living with a disability. But, as Ola Ojewumi (a Black, disabled activist and business owner) says, “to be Black and disabled in America is to be invisible.” Yet, as Ola adds, “when you look at Black history, there is an undeniable link to disability; some of our greatest Black heroes and heroines have been disabled.” Below are just a few. Many of the current-day celebrities on this list are using their influence to educate people about disabilities—both visible and invisible.
 Hello! We are pleased to announce that UCP Oregon’s “Bill Porter Memorial Fund” (BPMF) is open, circa 8am on 2/1/22!
***Applications will be accepted from 8am on 2/1/22 to 5pm on 2/18/22.*** The BPMF is designed to assist our customers to experience a full life, however that might look for each customer. Customers have applied for funding for:
Note: Applicants must be currently receiving services from UCP Oregon to be considered.  Hi! We know you love UCP. We know you want to make a difference. Have you ever considered joining UCP's team of managers?
UCP Oregon is currently hiring for two different management positions: Lead Personal Agent (in our Brokerage division) and Assistant Team Leader (in our Supported Living division). You can learn more about the positions here:  EEEK! In one week, the Bill Porter Memorial Fund will be opening for 2022 applications.
We're so excited! How about you? If you're a current customer of UCP Oregon, we hope you're getting ready! And if you're a supported of UCP Oregon, we hope you'll consider donating!  As you may have heard, we will be opening our “Bill Porter Memorial Fund” for 2022 applications on February 1, 2022.
UCP customers, with assistance as needed from UCP staff, will be applying for funding for life improvement projects that fall outside of the typical scope of funding. We thought it might be fun to share some past examples of how folks used the funds. One of our favorite examples is Bonnie, one of the Fund’s first recipients! Bonnie was a teen who wanted more privacy and independence; she requested an attachment for the commode. As she said, “I have to have someone help me in the bathroom. I just turned 15 and this is embarrassing to me.” The equipment changed her life. As Bonnie’s mom says, once the equipment arrived, Bonnie could suddenly use the bathroom on her own. Woo hoo!  January 17th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If 2022 is feeling especially bleak to you, you might want to check out this list of favorite MLK quotes from Karen Wang, a mom who is raising several kids (including a son with disabilities). We’re all interconnected. And we can all make a difference. Thanks, Karen!
PS: You can read Karen’s whole post here. As you know, UCP Oregon believes in the power of real choice, real jobs, real homes, and real connections for all—a full life for those we serve.
But it’s obvious that, in many cases, experiencing a full life can be extremely challenging, given the funding and service delivery systems that currently exist for people with developmental disabilities. That’s why we launched the Bill Porter Memorial Fund (BPMF) in 2018. The BPMF is designed to assist our customers to experience a full life, however that might look for each customer. Customers have applied for funding for:
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be opening the 2022 BPMF application process on February 1, 2022. Note: Applicants must be currently receiving services from UCP Oregon to be considered.  From the Desk of Sarah Noack, Brokerage Director, UCP Oregon
Greetings, all! As I reflect on the past year, there were beautiful highlights and certainly many difficult lowlights. In the spring of 2021, I could not have imagined how I would be catapulted out of my home office and into a massive undertaking—establishing a second brokerage (“UCP Mentors”) in order to take on the customers from another brokerage (“Mentor”) that was closing. In some ways, taking on 600+ customers and starting a second brokerage was completely unfathomable to consider amidst a pandemic. In other ways, it provided the perfect opportunity to shift focus onto something fresh and energizing. I knew that I wanted to be a part of a safety net that could catch Mentor’s customers and employees. And I knew UCP had the organizational values and foundation to do right by folks. What I didn’t know was how powerfully the community would come together to make that happen. All of UCP’s existing (and new!) brokerage employees gave so much—their skills, gifts, and efforts—to make absolutely certain we were ready for our new customers. Every single need was met with “here is what I can do.” People stayed focused and positive even when we were overwhelmed. Problems were met with curiosity and tenacity. And through those months, the team of former Mentor employees stepped bravely forward, responding with heart and grit and hope and determination. When UCP Mentors opened on September 1, I felt like we had successfully landed the Millennium Falcon! I am so grateful for everyone, whether they served as Chewie, Yoda, Han, or members of the band that plays the funky music in the cantina. Here we are four months later. The dust is settling. And we see what lies ahead--more rebuilding, more growth, some healing, and lots more work. But for now, I want to pause for a moment and say “three cheers” to everyone who was involved. Hooray for us all! Here is to collaboration, community, and customers! Happy New Year! --Sarah Noack, Brokerage Director |
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