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From the Desk of Suzannah

2/9/2022

 
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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.
 

MEET ANDREW (AND OTHER BILL PORTER APPLICANTS)

2/5/2022

 
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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.

  • Andrew experiences severe anxiety and panic attacks which are triggered by loud noises and environments. He requested noise canceling headphones, which allowed him to cope better with his panic attacks.
  • Gracie was 11 years old when she applied. She liked to swim and wanted to share the experience with her family, so she purchased an annual aquatic center membership. As Gracie’s mom wrote, “It’s been so exciting to finally find a physical activity that the entire family can do together and have fun, too!”
  • Tanya and her teenage daughter applied for equipment that helped with balance and trunk strength.
  • Kelcie used her BPMF funds to purchase a handheld shower head on an adjustable pole so she could bathe as independently as possible.
  • David used his funds to attend a photography class; his goal was to learn to take photos of his family and friends.
​
Donate to the BPMF here

Honoring Black History Month 2022

2/2/2022

 
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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.

  • Danny Glover
  • Fannie Lou Hamer
  • George Washington Carver
  • Halle Berry
  • Harriet Tubman
  • Harry Belafonte
  • Mary Davidson
  • Maya Angelou
  • Missy Elliott
  • Montel Williams
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Simone Biles
  • Sojourner Truth
  • Solange Knowles
  • Stevie Wonder

Learn more here:
 
  • Why Black History Month Needs to Feature the Stories of the Disabled

  • Highlighting African Americans with Disabilities in Honor of Black History Month

  • NDRN Celebrates Black History Month with Disability Rights In Black

BPMF: IT'S "GO" TIME!

2/1/2022

 
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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:

  • Home modifications.
  • Assistive technology.
  • Travel to reconnect with a family member or friend.
  • Funding for education.
  • Job training.
  • Joining a gym.
 
Note: Applicants must be currently receiving services from UCP Oregon to be considered.
LEARN MORE

Join UCP's Team of Managers

1/28/2022

 
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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:
  • Lead Personal Agent 
  • Assistant Team Leader

Eeek! It's So Exciting

1/25/2022

 
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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!

Customers, Learn More Here
Donors, Learn More Here

Meet Bonnie (A Bill Porter Recipient)

1/20/2022

 
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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!

Learn more about the Fund

Honoring MLK Day, 2022

1/16/2022

 
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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!
​
  • “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
  • “It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people.”
  • “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
  • “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
  • “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve… You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
  • “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” 
​
PS: You can read Karen’s whole post here.

IT'S ALMOST TIME

1/14/2022

 
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​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:

  • Home modifications.
  • Assistive technology.
  • Travel to reconnect with a family member or friend.
  • Funding for education.
  • Job training.
  • Joining a gym.
 
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.
Learn more about the BPMF
DONATE TO THE FUND

Thoughts From Sarah

1/6/2022

 
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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
Learn More About UCP's Brokerage Services
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UCP Oregon
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97220

​Phone: 503-777-4166
​Fax: 503-771-8048
Email Us
Photo used under Creative Commons from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services >
        • Brokerage Videos
    • Supported Employment >
      • For Job-Seekers
      • For Employers
      • Be "Ability Aware"
    • Supported Living
    • Children's Services
    • Family Support
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Applicants
  • CAREERS
    • Why You'll Love UCP
    • Careers FAQ
  • NEWS
  • EVENTS
    • Family Support Workshops
    • Family Support Group
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
    • Skate Night
    • Family Conference
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors >
      • Bill Porter Honor Roll
    • For Readers of Portland Business Journal >
      • Learn More About Us
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint
  • Share Your UCP Story