Greetings!

Some of you might already have received a flyer in the mail, prompting the question,

"Did UCP open a thrift store?"

Fundraiser at  

Fifth Quadrant!

Lompoc Brewing's Fifth Quadrant location - better known as the 5Q - at 3901 N Williams Avenue is hosting a fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy on July 7th.  The family-friendly brewpub will donate 10% of all food and drink sales that day.  The 5Q features quality pub food in a warm, casual atmosphere. Bring your family and friends, order up some great food and drink and make a difference!

On Sunday, June 12^th UCP Family Support took over Skate World in Gresham.  These skating events have become our most popular outing.   At these events, all wheelchairs, walkers and other devices are welcome on the skating rink.  It is so nice to have the opportunity to take part in an activity that is not always accessible and the smiles on the faces say it all!

This year the skating outing was sponsored by the Clackamas High School Key Club.  They not only provided most of the funding for this outing, but also showed up to push wheelchairs around the rink.  Our family outings have really been taken to another level with the involvement of the Key Club.  It was wonderful to see moms sitting down, relaxing and chatting, while their kids were being pushed around the rink by Key Club volunteers.  Thank you, Clackamas High School Key Club, for the wonderful support! 

We look forward to our next event, the annual family picnic in August, and don't forget to join us for the 7^th Annual Walk, Roll 'n' Run on September 10^th!                 

On a recent visit and tour of UCP's community garden plot I realized, yet again, the joy that comes from being a part of the "UCP Community!"   

Employee and Support Specialist Jesse, along with Jace from the Choices Program, accompanied me out to the garden plot that is located behind Gresham City Hall.  The idea of UCP having a community garden became a reality last summer with the hard work and time of another Support Specialist, John.  John managed to find the plot and get the garden area ready for planting.   

It wasn't long before enthusiasm spread amongst both employees and the people UCP supports, to the fun entailed in 

starting a garden.  Plans were made, seeds selected, planting occurred and the joy of harvesting and eating something created by your own hard work were enjoyed!

As Jesse puts it, he looks forward to garden season and the opportunity to be outdoors and connecting with the gardening community at the site.  He sees it as unique time for community engagement as well as a unique opportunity for the people we support to take part in the gardening scene and all that is learned from it.   He finds a way for anyone interested, to take part in the garden, whether it be by planting, weeding, watering, harvesting or just a visit and enjoyment of some outdoor time.

The smile and excitement in Jace's voice as he hears talk about the garden is evidence that this opportunity is a special one for

him.

Last year Jace was able to visit the garden multiple times and help with various tasks including weeding.  This was accomplished by helping him out of his wheelchair and providing a tarp for him to scoot along as he worked his section of the garden.  The reaction Jace had on his first visit this year was, "Wow!"  and shortly following came his ideas for parts of the garden.  

Jesse and John have been busy getting things ready for this seasons' garden.  It takes a lot of work to get the ground ready.  There was not access to a tiller this year, so they are feeling a bit behind, but still, the garden has plants growing and is off to a great start!

Jesse is planning a garden work party for Sunday, July 10th from 10am - 4pm and is welcoming any and all help.  If anyone has a tiller that they could bring to help till a final section,

that would be great!  Additional soil is also in need to give the newly planted starts some extra nourishment.  The garden is located in Gresham, behind City Hall and has ample parking near the gardens.   

For more information about helping at UCP's Community Garden, email kpinney@ucpaorwa.org   

Eleanor is a recent high school graduate who has been working with UCP's Employment Solutions program to find a great job. We are happy to report that she was recently hired at New Seasons on 33^rd & Killingsworth.

One of Eleanor's strengths is that she is very outgoing and enjoys interacting with others. Her ability to provide outstanding customer service is what landed her a job as a part-time Courtesy Clerk. Eleanor will celebrate  90 days on the job in mid-July. She's a very hard worker and her supervisors are pleased with her performance.

Eleanor reports, "People with disabilities have feelings like everyone else - they should be out in the community and not in sheltered workshops. I love my new job - I love talking with customers and helping them."  

Please support New Seasons and other businesses who hire people with disabilities!

Employment Solutions now has a Facebook page - "like" us to stay up-to-date on new hires and advocacy articles for individuals with disabilities.   

Visit the site  here !