Greetings!

Can we provide even better supports and civil rights to the people we support? That was the main question we sought to answer at our Friends/Walk, Roll, 'n' Run Kick Off Breakfast. The event was held in April, and had a theme of "erasing the lines".  I shared the story of how there once were literal lines dividing people with disabilities from each other.  In the 1970's, when UCP was running a sheltered workshop, the federal government required that a line be drawn down the floor of the workshop to separate those with severe disabilities from those with fewer disabilities. Even though these literal lines are gone, there are still plenty of lines that we need to erase, so that the people we support can lead even richer and more fulfilling lives. Stories from families in our Family Support program as well as an employer through

Employment Solutions, gave moving examples of the work they do to help "erase the lines".

Now the work really begins as we follow up on the interest shown by this group of new and old friends, begin the recruitment season and prepare for the Walk, Roll 'n' Run.  You too can help to erase those lines by forming a team, corporate sponsorship, volunteering, board involvement or identifying job opportunities for the people we support.  Contact me with your ideas and I will use my eraser! 

Recently a representative from Columbia-Inland informed us that an anonymous donor was going to donate three Power Pumper trikes to our UCP families.  What great news.  These are wonderful trikes, especially for kids who do not walk. 

Everyone involved thought that we should give two trikes away to families, and keep one for UCP Family Support, to loan to families so their kids can try them out. 

We sent out an email blast to our families, and over 30 entered the raffle to win the two trikes. 

The lucky winners came in to pick up their trikes, and you can see from the photos how happy they were to receive this gift.  The third trike has been loaned to three different families so far, and at least one familiy has sought funding to purchase one for their son.  We're grateful to these anonymous donors who made these therapeutic trikes available to our kids.

What Is a Power Pumper Trike?

The Power Pumper is a device used for physical education. It is appropriate for children from ages five to eleven.

Children pump the handle to make the trike move forward, which helps build trunk muscles, and provides movement for both upper and lower extremities.

Unlike most therapies, riding the Power Pumper is fun! Children get on the trike and don't want to stop.

If you're ever lucky enough to find yourself in the general vicinity of Mt. Scott Community Center at 11am on a Wednesday morning make sure to stop by the auditorium and immerse yourself in the joyful sound that is the UCP Music Class.   

Initially the brainchild of former UCP staff member Becca, the class has since been adopted as a pet project by current UCP Coordinator Francine.  Going on its seventh year of existence, the immensely popular activity has maintained through a number of iterations on the path to its current form.  Initially choreographed and subsidized by the Portland Parks and Recreation department, the class has seen numerous name changes (from Melody Makers, to Earthtones, to Joyful Sounds) and number of different contributors throughout its long history.  

In its current form, the class is made possible by the dedication and hard work of Francine, and through a generous agreement with Marylhurst University.  After funding necessary to maintain the class was no longer available UCP sought assistance from local musicians as a way to help keep the activity alive.  After performing a lengthy search, Francine was finally able to reach an agreement with Marylhurst that would provide UCP with talented musicians to help lead the class while at the same time providing course credit for the students.  It was a win-win situation!  Marylhurst still needed an experienced music therapist to assist their students with leading the activity, so Francine contacted Julie at Earthtones and the final piece of the puzzle was in place for a successful class.   

Everybody has such as great time playing instruments and singing along during class that the number of people attending seems to grow by the week.  That it is so successful is really no mystery, because as Francine points out, "It is wonderful for the people we support...everyone really enjoys it. It's very interactive, upbeat, and fun...lots of singing and laughter!  And most of all, it brightens everyone's day, staff included.  Everyone leaves with a smile on their face.  You can't be sad after music class!"

On one rainy morning in the middle of March, Renea Azeltine sat patiently in the UCP conference room, waiting to meet her employers. She was nervous, and she was excited, but she also had a deep feeling of relief. Renea had searched for employment for almost 3 years, and aside from a very short experience working at Kohl's, Renea was nearing the threshold of defeat.

In late January, Nicholas Von Pless met with Michael Scotto di Carlo, owner of Supportland, to discuss our shared missions of supporting our local communities. Supportland was launched last summer to provide local, independent business owners with electronic means for tracking customer purchases and rewards points, all with the aim to bolster the local business community. Basically, it's one rewards card for over 80 local businesses.  Michael was also interested in the concept of Supported Employment, and thought there could be an opportunity for one of the job seekers in our program.

Nicholas collaborated with Michael and co-owner Katrina to discover that Supportland needed an individual to assist in packaging all the rewards cards that are found at local businesses. Nicholas immediately thought of Renea, who sought office-type work.

Supportland dropped off a set of trial cards so Renea could try the job out and decide if she wanted to apply. Renea experimented with using her weaker hand to hold the cards while her stronger hand folded the jackets around the cards. After a while Renea was feeling confident and excited about getting this job! Nicholas set up an interview between Renea and the owners of Supportland.

On that one rainy March day, when Michael and Katrina Scotto di Carlo came in to interview Renea, she showed everyone that she could do the work, and the radiance of her pride reflected upon the toothy smiles of everyone in the room. Michael and Katrina hired her and Renea had finally reached the end of one arduous journey, and was about to start a new journey of pride and self-empowerment.

Renea currently keeps a workstation at her apartment in Clackamas to do her job. She also emails her timesheet, and sets up times to deliver her finished product and bring in new inventory. She is also exploring the possibility of doing the work at a business that partners with Supportland, so she can work and interact in the community. Whatever Renea chooses, she is relieved and excited to have this opportunity, and we want to congratulate her on her perseverance, and hope you will too.

If you would like to check out more about Supportland, an awesome organization that fosters the idea of supporting our communities by shopping local, please visit supportland.com, or find them on Facebook.