UCP of Oregon Works Overtime to Support People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Sponsored: Portland, OR. For more than 60 years, UCP of Oregon has been fiercely dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADD, and others. United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW Washington (UCP) started out in 1955, supporting adults who experienced cerebral palsy. But today it does much more. Nearly 200 trained United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW Washington employees go out into the local community to provide direct care for people in their homes, respite care and support for their family members, community inclusion trips, employment opportunities, and navigation through complicated health systems. UCP of Oregon is in a vital year-end fund drive and you can donate by CLICKING HERE.

Here’s a short video from UCP:

Donations help make a difference in the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities in our community.

UCP is efficient – more than 92% of every dollar goes directly to fund their work. Services include:

Connections – Case management services, person-centered planning, and connecting customers with resources to live the life they choose.

Foundations – Assisting people with developmental disabilities to live in their own home or apartment.

Employment Solutions – Working with job seekers who experience disabilities to achieve employment in the community at a competitive wage.

Building Blocks – Attendant care, skills training, and relief care to children experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities residing in their family home under the age of 18 years.

Family Support – Facilitating connection with other families for moral support, practical information, equipment exchanges, and offer respite care for caregivers.

So far in 2017, UCP Oregon has provided services to 1,216 individuals and recently highlighted a client named Wendy for its #GivingTuesday campaign. Wendy is discovering herself; what she finds meaningful and interesting – what truly brings her joy. Though Wendy doesn’t use her voice to communicate, she is very expressive, affectionate, and clearly demonstrates the inspiration she experiences as she engages with her community. One UCP service called Choices provides customized supports that open the door to the benefits of education, leisure, volunteering, or recreational activities like dancing! This campaign included a link to a sweet video of Wendy and others enjoying a class at Polaris Dance Theatre in November.