In June of 2011, UCP submitted a proposal to Meyer Memorial Trust, which was created by the late Fred G. Meyer. The Trust invests in people, ideas and efforts that deliver significant social benefit to Oregon and Clark County, Washington.

In our proposal, we requested $150,000 ($50,000 per year for 3 years) to increase the capacity of our supported employment program, which is known as Employment Solutions. Employment Solutions assists adults with developmental disabilities to identify, obtain and retain competitive employment from community businesses.

We are pleased to announce that our efforts were successful, and that we have been awarded the $150,000! We will use this funding to hire three new Job Developers (one per year), which will allow us to support far more people in our program.

Employment is such an important part of life. As we stated in our proposal to Meyer Memorial Trust, “A job can dramatically change the dynamics of an individual's life—providing a structure to the day, a paycheck…, an identity as a contributing member of the community, an increase in personal self-esteem, expanded choices, and opportunities to develop…relationships. Employment is an avenue to a richer and fuller life.”

The History of UCP’s Supported Employment Program

UCP first began providing supported employment in 2007, when we received a grant from the United Way. Since then, we have supported hundreds of adults as they progressed towards employment.

Key features of UCP’s supported employment program are: 

1. Real work: Work that would be performed by someone without a disability.
2. Real wages: Pay that is commensurate to wages paid for comparable work performed by someone without a disability.
3. Integrated work environment: Most coworkers are people without disabilities who work in close proximity and regularly interact with employees with disabilities.
4. Ongoing support: Supported employment assumes that people with developmental disabilities will need some support ongoing over time, and that support can come from a variety of sources, including coworkers.

 
Special Thanks

The funding from Meyer Memorial Trust will allow us to double the capacity of our program. We are very excited to get started on this project.

We wish to give a special thanks to everyone at Meyer Memorial Trust, especially Kim Thomas. We also wish to thank the UCP Board members and UCP employees who were involved in completion and presentation of the proposal. And, of course, we wish to thank Jamie Snider, who contracted with us to write the grant, for doing such an excellent job presenting UCP’s history and culture, and, of course, our goals for the project.

For those of you who missed it, below is the text from a presentation by local Canby High School student, Carleigh Dewald, made at our Family Support Department’s movie screening of "Including Samuel" on February 11, 2012.

Carleigh spoke about how inclusion has worked for her, her role in the world of wheelchair racing, and her involvement in the Pan American games.  Carleigh is currently working hard with the goal of making the team for the 2012 Paralympic games, which will be held in London.

Hi there,  my name is Carleigh.  When Susan approached me about sharing my story, I was excited.  And a little nervous about what to say so I thought I would start at the beginning. 

I came into this world at a whopping 4 pounds 3 ounces.  I wasn't diagnosed with CP until I reached about 9 months old.  Just as Samuel's parents had worries about his future, I'm sure my parents had some of the same concerns. 

To be honest, before I watched the trailer to the movie I wasn't sure what inclusion meant.  I soon realized that I was fortunate to have a support group and school system that had inclusion in place for me.  I didn't grow up secluded from the public or my peers.  My parents, teachers, friends, and coaches all share a big part in my social growth and independence.

I actually enjoy public school.  I have found lasting relationships, received a world class education, and felt the relief that comes from acceptance.  My father tells me the story of how my kindergarten teacher put his mind at ease.  He asked, “How are the other kids reacting to Carleigh?”  Mrs. Ruwitch replied, “They are becoming better people because of her.” 

Don't get me wrong, I am still the kid in the wheelchair to most.  You see, people are initially recognized by appearance.  Perhaps their hair color or their height.  Wheels are simply easier to remember.  But, if you have the courage to approach me and introduce yourself, you will soon get to know me as Carleigh.

To give you an idea of my high school experience, you should know that I am a Junior and hold a GPA of 3.85.  I am currently enrolled in two college courses and a member of the National Honor Society.  I even did a two year stint in the marching band, if you can believe that.

I started playing sports at a fairly young age.  Challenger Baseball gave me some much needed confidence.  About four years ago, I got involved in an organization called Oregon Disability Sports.  ODS offers many different opportunities for athletes, young and old.  I have enjoyed playing basketball on the weekends  for the Portland Wheel Blazer's junior team.  We are a young team and always looking for new recruits.

About that same time I also got involved with another organization out of Eugene called World Wheelchair Sports.  As soon as Kevin Hansen fitted me for a racing wheelchair I was hooked.  I started participating in eighth grade track.  Coach Huggins, who happened to be my fourth grade teacher, welcomed me with a big smile.  I'm sure he was more nervous than I was.   

Now at the high school level I have made some big improvements with each new track season.  Sure, I made a few rookie moves.  Like that freshman year incident with the hurdle.  As I was about to flip over I actually muttered the phrase, “ Oops, didn't see that one coming.”  Coach still has fun with that one.

Last season while competing at the Oregon Relays, I pushed a personal best and broke the American Record for the women's 400 meter race in my classification. 

This got the Olympic Committees attention.  By the summer of 2011, I was on my way to compete at the Track and Field Nationals in Miramar Florida.  While there, I met some amazing athletes and made some good friends.

Shortly after returning home, I received a call from the Olympic Committee.  I had qualified to be a member of the 2011 Parapan American track and field team that would compete in Guadalajara Mexico in November.

In preparation for the Parapan games, I traveled to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista,  California.  After a couple of weeks of rigorous training I was ready for Parapan.

When it came to race day.  I was ready.  I had been down there for about a week.  I was training in the morning and cheering my team on in the afternoon.  It was my turn for glory.  I would be racing against my two roommates and two other ladies from Canada.  They were all in their mid- twenties and here I was just sixteen years old.  I got off the line first.  I had the lead for the first 100 meters.  Near the end of the race my teammate, Kristen Messer passed me to win the gold.  I finished second with a silver medal in my first international event.  As you can imagine, I was surprised by my performance.

The Mexico event was one of the most amazing experiences of my life thus far.  I met people from all over the world.  While we spoke different languages, came from different cultures, and expressed ourselves differently, we were all Olympic athletes with one goal in mind.  To simply do our best.

Looking back.  I would have to give thanks to the Olympic Committee for making the athletes feel included in this International event.  From the adapted housing to the awards podium, I felt proud to be part of our national team.

Well, now I have my sights set on the Paralympic Summer Games at London, England this coming  September.  To get an invitation to be on the London team, I will need to shave at least one second off my best time.  I have been working out each day, eating right, and getting mentally prepared for achieving my goal.  I recently got an invitation to compete in the BT World Cup at Manchester, England this coming May.  I hope to do well there and secure my place on the London Team.

Last weekend, UCP’s Family Support Department hosted a free screening of the movie Including Samuel. This documentary was created by photojournalist Dan Habib, and is about the fight for "inclusion" experienced by his son, Samuel, who has cerebral palsy. More than 75 people attended the event, and told us that they found the presentation very moving.

Attendee Kris Haines found it particularly moving when Mr. Habib interviews some of Samuel’s classmates and discovers that they (in Kris' words) "understand the intrinsic normalcy of Samuel and his presence in the classroom far better than some adults". Kris also found it extremely interesting that the brief from the landmark case of Brown v. Board (which overturned the doctrine of “separate but equal") predicted that the next people who would be seeking civil rights would be people who experience disabilities.

After the movie, attendees enjoyed a short presentation by local Canby High School student, Carleigh Dewald. Carleigh spoke about how inclusion has worked for her, her role in the world of wheelchair racing, and her involvement in the Pan American games.  Carleigh is currently working hard with the goal of making the team for the 2012 Paralympic games, which will be held in London.

So, thanks to everyone who participated! And thanks to local coffee shop, Papaccino’s, for donating free coffee, and to Trader Joe's for the free cookies and juice!

If you haven’t seen Including Samuel, you can find out more here.

Did you know that this is the "Week of DD Advocacy"? It's a week-long virtual DD advocacy rally. The goal of the week is for as many people as possible to send a message to Oregon Legislators.

Here's a link that will help you to find your state legislators: 

And to make it even easier, below is a message you can use when contacting your legislator:

"Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their families can't move backward, we need to move forward! Don't take away our ability to continue responding to the needs of thousands of people with developmental disabilities and their families with a sustainable, flexible, cost-effective supports and services."

You can make a difference! Here's a message from Cheryl Cisneros, GO! Project Coordinator, about how you can participate.

1. CALL OR EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR with this message.

• Always introduce yourself as their "constituent"

2. THINK SOCIAL MEDIA!

•  Post this message on your Facebook wall and on your legislator's Facebook wall;
•  If you use Twitter, tweet this message;
• And lastly, the Coalition will be posting on Facebook all week so" like" and "share" our advocacy posts. 

3. JOIN US AT THE CAPITOL - Thursday, February 16.

• Make an appointment to talk with your legislators and/or their staff about not cutting services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. We will be wearing yellow and have yellow buttons available for DD advocates to wear.

4. MORE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

• For those who want to participate in the DD Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Feb 16 but can’t make it to Salem, just take photos of yourself and others holding a Print & GO Rally Sign then post it to your Facebook page and tag your legislator & the Oregon DD Coalition!
• Use the Print & GO Talking Points tri-fold brochure for more information for specific budget cuts proposed and our message of advocacy for each. 
• Encourage your family and friends to get involved in DD Advocacy on Feb 16.

Are you planning to attend UCP’s complimentary screening of the movie Including Samuel? It will be held Saturday, February 11th, from 2pm to 4pm, and is hosted by UCP's Family Support Department.

This 58-minute video is riveting, thought-provoking, and is changing the way people think about disability. 

A discussion will follow for those interested and able to take part.

This event is open to the community, so share this with friends, family, educators and anyone else you might think of!

Find out more here.