UCP of Eastern CT

12/19/2025

Help us help more children like Colton this holiday season. Your gift changes lives.
Donate today: https://ucpect.org/ways-to-help-ucp/

Because of donors, Colton received a Special Tomato US Soft-Touch Sitter. This specialized equipment provides the safe, supportive posture he needs to sit comfortably and securely, so he can focus on what matters most: exploring, playing, and connecting with the people he loves.

12/12/2025

Today, Colton’s world got a little bigger.

Thanks to the Special Tomato US Soft-Touch Sitter— funded by donations from our annual golf tournament—he can sit upright comfortably and join his younger brother and cousin for inclusive play, family dinners, and game nights. Colton has Cerebral Palsy and currently lacks the torso control to stay upright without support. This adaptive seat gives him a safe, supportive posture so he can focus on what matters: exploring, playing, and connecting.

When we placed him in his new seat for a photo, he lit up with a big smile and reached right for the musical toy in front of him. His parents took the seat home and immediately offered sensory-adaptive toys—now they can create the everyday moments together that so many take for granted.

These specialized seats are life-changing, but they’re also expensive and often out of reach for young families. Because of you—our golfers, sponsors, and donors—UCP was able to purchase Colton’s seat and open up new possibilities for his play, learning, and independence. Thank you for making inclusion possible.

Want to help more kids like Colton access adaptive equipment?
• Donate or sponsor next year’s tournament.
• Share this post to spread awareness.
• Learn about the impact your gifts make at UCP.

https://ow.ly/gORm50XHJGt

Thanks to the Special Tomato Soft-Touch Sitter, funded by donations from our annual golf tournament, Colton can sit upright comfortably and join his younger brother and cousin for inclusive play, family dinners, and game nights.

12/11/2025

Our Assistive Technology Program changes lives.

Jack McConnell built a celebrated 50‑year career in commercial photography behind the camera, but diabetic retinopathy took his sight and the craft he loved most. Today, with AI-powered Meta glasses from our AT lending library, Jack can once again “see” his surroundings, revisit his own photographs, and move through his world with more confidence. The simple acts of reading a menu, meeting friends for coffee, and shopping for his own groceries are bringing joy back into his life.

Hear Jack share how UCP of Eastern CT helped him reclaim his world in this WSHU Public Radio story. https://ow.ly/akZB50XH8ZL

United Cerebral Palsy, Meta Newsroom, Zuck

After a long career as a photographer, a Connecticut man had to come to terms with the gradual loss of his eyesight. However, with the help of new technology, he's reconnecting with the world.

12/08/2025

We are so grateful to Integrated Day Charter School (IDCS) for their very generous donations of 952 pounds of food! Thank you.❤️ https://ow.ly/Cqil50XFRcV

All food goes to the UCP's Bette's Bounty Food Pantry, which serves hundreds of people and their families with disabilities in the community.

12/02/2025

UCP of Eastern CT is bringing hope and comfort to those experiencing food insecurity in Eastern CT. Our food drive targets people with disabilities and their families. It kicks off officially today, on Giving Tuesday. Please support us by donating. https://ow.ly/Wg9i50XATef

This article will tell you how your donation can make a difference: https://patch.com/connecticut/waterford/bring-hope-table-ucp-eastern-cts-food-pantry-needs-holiday-donations-nodx

11/27/2025

🦃🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at UCP of Eastern Connecticut! 🍁🦃

Today, we’re thankful for our incredible community — the individuals we support, their families, our dedicated staff, and all of our partners who help make life without limits possible.

Wishing you a joyful day filled with gratitude, connection, and love. 💛

11/25/2025

Everyone knows about Thanksgiving… but have you heard of Giving Tuesday? 💙

After a day of gratitude and gathering, Giving Tuesday is a time to turn thanks into action — by giving back to causes that matter.

At UCP of Eastern Connecticut, we’re thankful every day for the incredible individuals we support — and for the community that stands behind them. Your generosity helps provide life-changing programs, services, and opportunities for people with disabilities.

This Giving Tuesday, help us continue building a world with life without limits.

🌟 Donate here: https://ucpect.org/ways-to-help-ucp/make-a-donation/

11/25/2025

Congress returns from Thanksgiving with a compressed 3-week window to negotiate the remaining FY 2026 appropriations bills. On December 3, the Senate Special Committee on Aging is holding a hearing on the importance of community living for older adults and people with disabilities, with a special focus on HCBS.

This is a critical opportunity to advocate for community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Share how HCBS or other community supports have impacted you, your family, or your community by Friday, December 5. ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources will compile all stories and submit them to the Committee for the congressional record.

The bipartisan Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act urges the Office of Management and Budget to establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for direct support professionals (DSPs).

11/11/2025

Honoring Our Heroes
This Veterans Day, UCP of Eastern Connecticut proudly honors all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

We are especially grateful for the veterans in our community — your courage, sacrifice, and dedication inspire us every day.

Thank you for your service. 💙

10/29/2025

Urgent: Many in our community are losing SNAP benefits. Bette’s Bounty Food Pantry needs your help to keep people with disabilities and their families fed.

People with disabilities are widely recognized as a vulnerable population with an increased risk of food insecurity. As many as 1 in 4 SNAP households include a person with a disability. Our pantry currently serves hundreds of families each month, and we anticipate the need to DOUBLE in the coming month. Won't you please help us fill our pantry to support them?

Here’s some of our most needed items:
✅ Peanut butter
✅ Pasta
✅ Rice
✅ Canned soups, veggies, fruits, stew, fish, beans

Please consider a donation today so we can feed people with disabilities and their families. There are several ways to help and we want to make it easy.

Give online (financial donations gladly accepted): https://ucpect.org/ways-to-help-ucp/make-a-donation/
Pantry details and eligibility: https://ow.ly/pByg50WRjsB
Pick-up by appointment in Quaker Hill. Call 860-968-FOOD.
We can pick up your donated items, or drop off at 42 Norwich Road, Quaker Hill.
https://ow.ly/pByg50WRjsB

10/24/2025

🍴 Make an impact and help stock our food pantry today!

At UCP, we’re proud to partner with the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center to keep our shelves stocked for those who need it most.

Here’s some of our most needed items:
✅ Peanut butter
✅ Whole grain pasta
✅ Brown rice
✅ Canned soups, veggies, fruits, stew, fish, beans
✅ Personal care & cleaning supplies

Your donation helps fight food insecurity and supports meaningful volunteer roles for people with disabilities to learn new skills and give back.

📦 Drop off at our Quaker Hill site or call 860-968-3663.
🔗 Check the link below for the latest list of needed items.

https://ow.ly/pByg50WRjsB

10/22/2025

💙💛 Did you know October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month?

It’s a time to celebrate the abilities, accomplishments, and unique strengths of people with Down Syndrome!

1 in every 700 babies in the U.S. is born with Down Syndrome, and every individual brings their own talents, dreams, and personality to the world. 💛💙