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From the Desk of Ann Coffey 
Greetings!
In June of 2012 I began the process of gaining approval from the Better Business Bureau's Charity Review Standards for Charity Accountability on behalf of UCP. I am pleased to share that after initial application, applicant processing, phone calls, emails, amendments and alterations, as well as provision of additional information, UCP has proven to meet all BBB standards.
The BBB Charity Review is designed to provide consumers with important information about our organization and other charities. It sets forth suggested standards for charitable organizations to follow in order to assist donors with making sound giving decisions and to foster public confidence in charitable entities. The standards seek to encourage fair and honest solicitation practices, to promote ethical conduct, and to advance philanthropy.
In order to comply with the accountability standards UCP provided documentation that we meet basic standards in the following categories: How we govern our organization; the ways we spend our money; the truthfulness of our representation; and our willingness to disclose basic information to the public.
The BBB reviews organizations every two years. Evaluations are based upon review of all standards for that time period.
UCP will begin to display the BBB seal on our agency website, solicitation materials and other communications. The BBB seal is a clear and easily recognizable symbol within our communities. The symbol also serves to close the gap between the non-profit and for-profit worlds.
I am hopeful that this effort will result in new community partnerships and serve to strengthen those that exist today. |
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Sincerely,
Ann Coffey
Executive Director
United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW Washington
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2012 Annual Luncheon Awards
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On Friday, November 2nd, we held our Annual Luncheon, as part of the Family Support Conference. It was at this luncheon that we took the opportunity to announce our awards for 2012.
Below are the categories and the award winners for each category. Congratulations to them all as they were well deserved awards. You will read about a few of the award winners in this issue of the eNewsletter and look for stories on the rest of the winners in future issues!
Volunteer of the Year Recipient: Michael Steen Employer of the Year Recipient: Kori Jones of Sock Dreams Community Services Award Recipient: Annie Harrell of the David Douglas Transitional Program Employee of the Year Recipient: Caitlyn Child Family Support Award Recipient: Joy Gibson Corporate Sponsor Award Recipient: Vital Life Foundation Development Award Recipient: Samantha Richardson
Person of the Year Recipient: George Crenshaw
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Employment Solutions
Village Ballroom Owner Wins Award!
By Melissa Miller
In the previous newsletter we told you a story about Travis securing employment at the Village Ballroom. It's our pleasure to provide you with this update: on October 26th, 2012, The Oregon Disability Mega Conference awarded Travis's boss (Ryan Saari) with the Employer of the Year award!! This award is given to an Oregon business that "promotes the independence, integration, and/or community participation of employee(s) with disabilities." As a community organizer and activist, Saari wanted his business to reflect his community. When asked why he hired Travis, he had this to say: "Hiring Travis just made sense. We were in need of someone to help keep up with the daily maintenance of a Ballroom that has around 10 events every week. Working with UCP just seemed to fit with our vision and our understanding that we can help others and care for those in need, simply through solid business practices. And hiring Travis is just that, a solid business move  | |
Mellisa Miller announcing the award
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that also happens to help a hard working young man." Saari is also grateful for April Powers, Travis' UCP Job Coach, who supports Travis daily to perform his job duties. Commenting on April's contribution, Saari states: "April has been a great liaison and help to Travis in his time there. She helps to keep Travis on task, continuing to push him and allow him to grow in his role, as well as being someone who helps keep an eye on our supplies and what we need to keep the ballroom running smoothly. She has been a great member of our team and a wonderful resource that always seems to answer "yes" whenever there is a request." Though Ryan was unable to attend the award ceremony, Travis and April traveled to Salem to accept the award on his behalf. I had the honor of presenting the award to them both!  | |
Melissa, Travis and April at The Mega Conference
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For more information about Employment Solutions, click here or contact Melissa Miller here. |
Community Services
Nothing Like a Road Trip!
by Doug McKenzie
In October I had the privilege of accompanying Carl (in our Supported Living Program) on a trip to visit his mom in Condon, Oregon. Carl has made this an annual trip and it is something he looks forward to all year. In addition to getting to spend time with his mom, this drive to Central Oregon also allows Carl the opportunity get out on the open road and away from the city.
Over the last four years I've been fortunate enough to go on many trips with Carl, and I've never met a better road-trip companion. As we hit the road in the UCP van, Carl asks for "the FM-radio up and the windows down." Again, a great road-trip companion.
The drive itself is half the fun of this trip. Carl really enjoys the new scenery and is constantly pointing out the boats, barges, mountains, planes and most notably, the wildlife. Carl has an interest in animals of all kinds, and he gets a kick out of seeing the horses and cows one doesn't often see around Portland.
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Carl's mom, Carl and Doug pose for a memento of the trip
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When Carl and his mom get together they are all smiles and laughs. They share stories of past and present and just enjoy one another's company. These trips always seem too short and Carl is already planning his next adventure as we make our way home.
To learn more about Supported Living, contact
Michelle Douglas, Community Services Director
by email or call 503-777-4166
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Family Support
Offering Support, to Family Support!
By Susan Cushman
The criteria for UCP's Family Support Award is as follows: This person, group, or company has, by their service, facilitated the UCP Family Support Department to excel in its mission. It was my pleasure to name Joy Gibson as the 2012 recipient of the UCP Family Support Award. The parents in UCP's Family Support Department are spread around the state of Oregon as well as SW Washington. Many of those families are seeking connections, and so, not surprisingly, one of Family Support's most popular programs is the monthly "Gimme a Break" support group. It is just what it sounds like - a chance for the parents in our program to gather together to brainstorm, share resources and ideas, laugh, cry and share their joys and challenges. Joy Gibson has been coming to these parent support groups for most of her son Ryan's 12 years. When we first met, I was another mom, like Joy, who attended every month. At these events, the mothers find they have a lot in common, and would often end up socializing outside of just UCP events. It was at one of these social outings that Joy, along with a few other moms came up with the idea of forming a Facebook group called, "UCP Moms and the City." They had just finished watching the movie "Sex and the City", thus the name!
 | | Joy Gibson and fellow "UCP Moms and the City" moms, Nikki and Chrissa. |
This Facebook page that Joy manages, has become not just a way to plan social gatherings for the moms (and dads too!), but an extremely supportive place where parents share information and resources, ask questions, exchange equipment, and just generally share their lives with each other. This Facebook page is a wonderful example of the natural supports parents create for themselves, when given the opportunity to meet each other!
Joy has become a resource that connects new parents to UCP as she adds new people to the Facebook group. This, along with her willingness to help out in whatever manner is needed, like her participation on the Parent Panel at the UCP Family Conference a few days ago, is the reason Joy received this award.
Thank you Joy for your efforts in the Family Support Department and your contribution to make "A Community for Everyone!"
Susan Cushman Family Support Director email Susan here |
Community Services
A Day in the Life of a Support Specialist and a Person we Support
by Casey Kirk
I wanted to share a wonderful experience I had while shopping with one of the people we support here at UCP. I am a support specialist at UCP and have been for over three years. On this day, I had the pleasure of a trip to Costco which turned out to be a learning experience for me in the services that Costco offers.
On the way to the store I gave the person I was supporting a rundown of the types of products Costco carries so we could make a list. I had already called Costco to see if they could bring a wheelchair to my car while I parked in front to make the shopping trip easier for the person we support. Costco agreed to meet us up front with a wheelchair if I called when we arrived.
Upon arrival, I asked the Costco employee who met us with the wheelchair, if he could wait with the person we support while I parked across the parking lot. He said it was no problem. As I returned to the entrance the employee noticed that I might have a difficult time pushing the shopping cart and wheelchair at the same time. He asked us if we wanted a personal shopper for our shopping trip. "Are you serious?" I laughed. I've never heard of such a thing, especially in a store like Costco. But don't worry we took him up on his offer. I felt a little bad because I felt like it was my job to do everything during the shopping trip and thus kept apologizing to him. His reply was the same every time, "This is our job!"
We went through every single aisle, scanning all the products to see what was wanted. If you've ever been to Costco you know that it's a big undertaking to go through every aisle and look at every product. The personal shopper was game and didn't seem bothered in the least. It was awesome!
After purchasing our items and saying good-bye to our personal shopper, we went back to her home and filled the cupboards! Now the person will be eating healthier and saving money while doing so, since Costco has some great deals for buying in bulk.
After that experience I came back to the office and made sure to let the rest of the staff at UCP know about my time at Costco and the great service I received.
The next time you need to shop at Costco and have to juggle a shopping cart along with any other medical device, make sure to take advantage of a personal shopper! I know I will be using that service again with some of the people we support!
To learn more about Community Services, contact
Michelle Douglas, Community Services Director
by email or call 503-777-4166
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United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & Southwest Washington
305 NE 102nd Ave. Ste. 100 Portland, OR 97220
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Events
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November 8thGimme a Break
Family Support Group
Topic: What to do When Insurance Denies Service/Equipment
Find Out More
November 10th
Family Support Outing: UCP Family Art Making Outing at C.H.A.P. Find Out MoreNovember 12thFamily Support Outing: Roller Skate Party at Oaks Park with The Rose City Rollers! Find Out MoreDecember 13thGimme a Break Family Support Group Topic: Surviving the Holidays
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UCP Connections
Caitylyn Child: UCP's 2012 Employee of the Year! |
Congratulations to Caitlyn Child, Personal Agent, for being named UCP's Employee of the Year!
Caitlyn was one of the original team that started up the brokerage and will soon celebrate her two-year anniversary with us. Caitlyn first started working with people with disabilities as an Americorp volunteer. Through Americorp, Caitlyn provided resident services, set up volunteer programs at three apartment sites, and coordinated resources with outside services. She also co-developed a curriculum to assist people to learn or develop their independent living skills. Many of her ideas and contributions continue to help people become more independent in their own homes.
What does Caitlyn enjoy most about her work? She says she feels proudest when "assisting customers who were in the habit of being on the couch. And then, when I talk to them one day they say 'I am out doing this or that' and they have a full schedule." One customer didn't leave his house without his parents. Now, he rides the bus independently to a day program, volunteers, and gets out into the community with his provider. Caitlyn says "He is excited about life! He has things to do that are meaningful to him."
Caitlyn's self-described goofy and jokester approach makes people feel comfortable and says that "it feels good to be that person that a person relies on" when they need someone to be there.
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Caitlyn in her gorilla suit!
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Caitlyn is not all work and no play though. She is an avid crafter and artist. She enjoys classic car shows, dressing up in costumes, bowling, skateboarding, and disc golfing. She spends most of her time with her dog, Benny, her boyfriend, Pete, and Pete's son Levi. She has a full and fun-filled life and brings her positive energy to her work every day.
Caitlyn says, "When someone says 'thank you' it makes up for the days that I feel swamped and chipping away at things. Those little compliments make things seem manageable." So, thank you, Caitlyn for your work and dedication to your customers, your team, and our mission.
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Caitlyn Child and Sarah Knight
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In that spirit, let's all remember to take the time to say THANK YOU to someone that has helped you out. And remember, it's those little appreciations that encourage and support people who give of their talents and energies to make a positive impact in our lives.
For further information about UCP Connections, contact Sarah Knight at 503-777-4166 x361 or email here.
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Community Partner Spotlight
2012 Corporate Sponsor of the Year:
Vital Life Foundation
by Kerry Pinney
When you visit the website of our 2012 Corporate Sponsor of the Year, you will read the following as part of their purpose statement: "Vital Life Foundation supports organizations that contribute to the lives of seniors, staff members, and the community at large. We believe that community health is every bit as important as personal health."
Community health is indeed very important! You have heard the Vision of UCP, "A Community for Everyone" many times throughout this last year, as it was the theme of many of our events, including this conference. A healthy, compassionate and involved community can accomplish a lot and provide the type of environment in which we all hope to be a part of.
The Vital Life Foundation, a Marquis and Consonus Foundation, believes in our Vision as well. In 2011, they joined us for the first time at our annual Friends Breakfast as one of our first Walk, Roll 'n' Run Sponsors of 2011. They continued their support as a Walk, Roll 'n' Run sponsor again in 2012. But it was something else that made an impression on me, the dedication and support they show their employees.
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Mary Amick & Christine Huston
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We have Christine Huston to thank for the introduction. Christine works as an Executive Assistant at Marquis Company and has a daughter, Fiona Rose, who was born with cerebral palsy. Her family takes part in our Family Support Services. As we learned from their purpose statement above, the Vital Life Foundation supports organizations that contribute to the lives of their staff members. Not only have they contributed financially to UCP, but they filled 2 tables at the 2011 Friends Breakfast with executives and staff, eager to learn more about UCP. Employees have supported the Huston's personal Walk, Roll 'n' Run team in both donations and taking part in the walk. And when Christine's birthday rolled around this year, a check came to UCP with the note "in honor of Christine Huston's birthday." That is what I call all-around support! UCP looks forward to strengthening our partnership with the Vital Life Foundation, our 2012 Corporate Sponsor of the Year, and we are excited to see what the future holds as we both strive for those healthy, strong and vital components that make "A Community for Everyone". For more info about Corporate Sponsorship opportunities, contact Kerry Pinney here. |
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