UCP Oregon

07/02/2025

It’s July… which means it’s Disability Pride Month!

Here at UCP Oregon, we’re proud to celebrate our community—this month, and every month.

Disability Pride Month started in honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which became law back in July of 1990.

It's about identity, culture, community, and joy. It’s a powerful reminder that people with disabilities are a vital part of every community—right now, unapologetically, and forever.

As The Arc’s National Council of Self‑Advocates says: “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay.”

We also know that pride looks different for everyone. For some people, it’s big and bold. For others, it can be more quiet or complicated. There’s no “right” way to be proud.

So however you celebrate, just know: we see you. We’re with you. And we're so glad your part of our community.

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PS: See a list of local Disability Pride Month events, and learn more about how you can celebrate the month on our website: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/news/happy-disability-pride-month-2025.

06/03/2025

🌈 Happy Pride Month from all of us at UCP Oregon!

We’re celebrating the strength, joy, and resilience of our LGBTQIA2S+ community—especially folks living with disabilities. You belong. 💛

Looking for local Pride events? We’ve put together a brief roundup of Pride celebrations happening around Portland this June and July, including festivals, library events, and more.

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Read more: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/news/celebrating-pride-2025

05/19/2025

Wondering how to keep your child using their AAC device this summer—or how to get started?
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Join us for an engaging, parent-focused Q&A with Dr. Natalie Andzik, a national expert on AAC and complex communication needs. Dr. Andzik will share real-world tips and answer your questions about making AAC part of everyday routines and summer activities.
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--WORKSHOP: “Making AAC Work This Summer – A Q&A for Parents”
--WHEN: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM (Online via Zoom)

LEARN MORE HERE:https://www.ucpaorwa.org/family-workshops.html

05/17/2025

🎬 Do you have plans for Sunday, June 22nd? Now you do! 🎬

Join us at the Hollywood Theatre for a powerful documentary created by three local filmmakers with disabilities. "We are the Most Beautiful People" explores ableism, racism, intersectionality, and what disability justice really means.

UCP Oregon is proud to be one of the film’s sponsors.

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--WHERE: The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Boulevard).
--WHEN: June 22nd at 2pm.
--TICKETS: Tickets will sell out fast! Get yours here:
https://hollywoodtheatre.org/show/we-are-the-most-beautiful-people/

05/15/2025

Hi, UCP Oregon families!

Did you know that we’ve created a survey to hear directly from families like yours?

We’re currently planning how to spend the UCP Oregon Family Support budget for next year. We want to make sure we’re budgeting for the events and services that are most important to your family.

But in order to do so, we need to hear from you! Please take the time to share your thoughts today. This is your chance to influence what comes next for Family Support!

The survey will close on May 31, 2025.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SURVEY HERE: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/news/2025-family-support-survey.

Hi, UCP Oregon families! Did you know that we’ve created a survey to hear directly from families like yours? We’re currently planning how to spend the UCP Oregon Family Support budget for...

05/14/2025

UCP Oregon’s 2025 Photo Contest Is Here!

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We’re excited to announce UCP Oregon’s first-ever Photo Contest—and we want YOU to be part of it!

We’re looking for authentic, vibrant photos that celebrate the UCP community. The winning entries will be featured in our new Strategic Plan, as well as on our website, social media, and other marketing materials. There are two $100 prizes!

Who can enter:
--Anyone in the UCP community—customers, employees, and families—is welcome to participate!

Deadline:
--Submit your photos by Sunday, June 8th.

Prizes:
--Cover Image Prize – $100 for the photo selected as the cover of our Strategic Plan.
--Most Usable Photos Prize – $100 for the largest number of usable photos submitted.

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Want ALL the details? Click here to read the full announcement:

We’re excited to announce UCP Oregon’s first-ever Photo Contest —and we want you to be part of it! We’re looking for authentic, vibrant photos that celebrate the UCP community. The winning...

04/03/2025

As you know, it’s BPMF season here at UCP Oregon. Last month, we opened our Bill Porter Memorial Fund (BPMF) for 2025. We received more than 100 applications. Woo hoo!

Also cool: we heard from a former BPMF recipient, Kelcie.

Kelcie sent us a fantastic photo. She also shared her BPMF recipient story.

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In Kelcie’s words…

I grew up in the country, and I occasionally fished but never caught anything until 2022. I was twenty-four when I applied for the Bill Porter Memorial Fund for the second time, but this time the reason I was applying for financial assistance with my airfare to Alaska was to visit some friends that I hadn’t seen in nine years.

It was a trip filled with “firsts!”

It was my first time traveling alone, my first time flying, and my first time in Alaska, and while I was there, I caught my first fish! A big salmon as long as my body or even longer!

I had also talked about this trip for ten years before it happened and the BPMF made it possible sooner rather than later on in life, which I will forever be grateful for!

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Thanks for the fabulous photo and story, Kelcie!

PS: Have YOU received BPMF funds in the past? You can share your story or pics with us here.

PPS: See Kelcie's photo and full story here: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/news/alaska-airplanes-a-very-big-fish-kelcies-bpmf-story.

04/02/2025

It’s April 1st—and that means it’s Autism Acceptance Month.

At UCP Oregon, we believe in listening to autistic voices, honoring lived experience, and creating real inclusion—not just awareness.

We’re proud to support autistic kids, adults, and families every day of the year. We’re glad you’re here.💛

PS: We asked a UCP employee (who’s also the parent of a child who experiences autism) to share a few favorite resources. You can see them here: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/news/autism-acceptance-month-starts-today

She also recommends searching the hashtag to hear directly from autistic people in their own words.

04/01/2025

The Bill Porter Memorial Fund is now officially closed for 2025!

We’re thrilled to share that we received 113 applications from across UCP Oregon—what a fantastic turnout! Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply.

Our Leadership Team is now diving into the review process, and we can’t wait to learn more about each applicant’s vision. We expect to announce this year’s recipients by early May—so stay tuned!

💬 Did you or your customer receive funding from the BPMF in the past?
We’d love to hear your story! Help us inspire future applicants and grow the fund into something even bigger and brighter. Share your story here: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/bpmf-recipient.html.

Thank you again to everyone who applied!

03/26/2025

💚Happy Spring! Happy National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day! 💚

Today—March 25th—we’re joining people across the country to celebrate National CP Awareness Day!

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, but it’s also about so much more than a diagnosis. It’s a vibrant, diverse community of kids, adults, families, caregivers, and allies who are redefining what inclusion, opportunity, and independence look like every day.

Here at UCP Oregon, we’re celebrating all the amazing folks with CP who are part of our community! Plus our Family Support Department is getting in the spirit today with a fun bowling outing, where kiddos and families will be decked out in green to celebrate the day.

💚 Want to know how YOU can support CP awareness?💚
• Wear green today—and all month long!
• Take time to learn more about CP and the disability community.
• Amplify the voices of those with lived experience.

03/19/2025

Clock’s Ticking—Don’t Miss Out! ⏳

UCP Oregon's Bill Porter Memorial Fund application deadline is March 31st!

This unique fund helps UCP Oregon customers pursue their goals, from home renovations to tech, travel, education, wellness, and more.

Eligible? Interested? Now’s the time to apply!

Apply here: https://www.ucpaorwa.org/bpmf-application.html

03/11/2025

Hey UCP Oregon friends!

Wow, what a busy month! At UCP Oregon, we’re celebrating:
• Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
• National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (March 25th).
• UCP Oregon’s Bill Porter Memorial Fund 2025 Application Period (March 1-31st).

💟We’re also celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).💟

The 2025 theme for DDAM is “We’re Here All Year.” Because people with disabilities aren’t just part of the community in March—they’re here, making a difference, every single day.

DDAM started in 1987, when President Reagan officially declared March as a time to raise awareness about inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. We’ve come a long way since then, but there’s still more to do!

This year’s DDAM theme was chosen by people with disabilities to send a clear message: they are part of the community every single day, not just in March. It’s a reminder that inclusion, accessibility, and belonging should happen all year long.

At UCP Oregon, we see that in action every day—people with disabilities working, creating, advocating, and living their lives just like everyone else. And when we make our communities more accessible, everyone benefits.

We’d love for you to be part of this month’s celebration! Share a story, a photo, or a moment that highlights inclusion in action. Let’s show the world what real belonging looks like!