December 2014

UCP Supports to Achieve Independent Living (SAIL) program created the Diner’s Club; a venue where customers and friends can gather on the first Friday of each month at a local restaurant to visit with friends and build new relationships. Not only does the Diner’s Club provide socialization but provides an environment where customers use other daily living skills such as reading, money management and use of appropriate manners and etiquette in a community establishment. Customers also have the opportunity to rate the restaurant on accessibility and overall customer service which is an important area to those who participate.

When asked, SAIL customer Becky Brott, stated, “I really enjoyed going to the restaurants and visiting with friends.” Becky is a Diner’s Club regular and has attended for over 15 years. Becky has made many friends through this experience. She now meets with other participants from the Diner’s Club outside of UCP on a regular basis. Respite customer, Anthony M., said, “It is one of the best things to do and I get to see all the people I like at UCP.” Michael likes attending because there are other young adults he can relate to and he gets to spend his money.

Through SAIL’s services, individuals with disabilities are able to live on their own. It is an essential program at UCP and promotes the agency’s mission that empowers people to live “Life Without Limits”. Last year, the program served 44 customers and provided 27,757 advocacy, training, education and direct care service hours.

UCP Respite Care Services is an essential resource for those caring for an individual that needs assistance with daily life skills. The program gives the care provider a break from the strenuous task of providing such care. The program served 99 families and provided 14,303 direct service hours and is expanding its services to various populations that need assistance in such areas as personal care, transportation to appointment or needing help with grocery shopping. For those who are not eligible for contracted service, UCP has established private pay services.

UCP’s Vision “We believe everyone is entitled to a Life Without Limits”.

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Tom Ligget

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Our Applied Abilities Program (AAP) celebrated its 1 Year Anniversary on December 16th. Troy Brown, City Manager of Tracy along with Council Member Nancy Young presented Sr. Program Manager Corinne Seaton with a Certificate of Recognition. The Office of Congressman Denham also sent a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for our 1 year anniversary. UCP Board Member Martin Herzog was in attendance. Interim CEO Leslie Heier thanked all in attendance for their continued support of our vision that “We believe everyone is entitled to a Life Without Limits”.

Program Participants, Corinne Crosby and Grace Gamus were greeters welcoming all attendees and handing out agenda and brochures. Our program was filled with program participants, staff and members of the community showing their support for UCP. Everyone enjoyed the live music provided by a participant’s family member and friend.

Tom Liggett, program participant & Henrietta Aldaco, parent of a program participant provided testimonials. Tom explained how he enjoyed the various classes offered as well as the socialization with individuals in the program and staff. Henrietta expressed her thanks to UCP for providing a much needed service in the Tracy community. According to Henrietta her son who was once shy and spoke very little now arrives home every day and talks nonstop about his day at our Applied Abilities Program.

Sr. Program Manager Corinne Seaton explained how the program has grown from 3 participants on opening day to just over 40. Participants are happy and parents are elated with the person center program where goals and objectives are made specific to each participant’s needs or wants.  Ms. Seaton thanked her staff for their dedication to the welfare and care of their program participants. She continued on to express her heartfelt thanks to the parents and the community for their support and faith in UCP to empower our program to live out our passion to teach and support our participants to become more independent and to use their own voice.

Holiday Greetings to UCP Friends,   

As this magical season approaches and we celebrate with loved ones, it’s a time to reflect on the many blessings that come to us throughout the year. More importantly, it is a time to reflect on those we serve at UCP with cerebral palsy, other disabilities and their families and how fortunate we are to work each day with these special and courageous individuals through our various children services and adult day programs.

How humbling, and yet rewarding to provide opportunities through our various daily activities that promote empowerment, growth, advocacy and independence; crucial activities that enable these individuals to be part of and integrated into their own community. Our programs reach over 2,000 individuals (birth to end of life) and nearly 310,000 advocacy, education and direct service hours were provided last year. Cerebral Palsy (CP) and the various disabilities of those we serve are not curable. As this population continues to grow, our community will feel the impact. The need for more services is on-going.   The opening of the UCP Adult Day/Behavioral program in Tracy last year has been a valuable and much needed resource for this community and we are grateful for all the support we have received.

Our customers depend on us every day and their lives are such an integral part of UCP; being with peers, socialization, friendships, sharing, enhancing life, vocational skills and celebrating their accomplishment; just like you and me.

As we look to this season, we continue to ask for your support in making a donation to help further our mission and for projects slated in the new year to enhance program areas and activities such as our Customer Kitchen Remodel project that is used for nutrition classes. Whatever you can give is deeply appreciated.  Your past support is very much valued as it has benefited and helped hundreds of individuals and the families we serve; giving every opportunity to focus on their “abilities” and to live “Life without Limits”.

Holiday wishes,

Leslie Heier

Interim Chief Executive Officers

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UCP celebrated the 2014 Holiday Season with a food drive, raffle and dancing.  Employee recognition awards for “Making A Difference” and no loss of sick days were given to Staff.  Lillian Callangan, Director of Finance was given a Certificate of Recognition for her 25 years of exemplary service to UCP.  Board Members Dan Natividad, Sharon Stokes, Marty Herzog and Michel Mark were in attendance.  The event was held at the Italian Athletic Club where a dinner of chicken, pasta, salad and dessert were served.  Fun was had by all!

COME JOIN US!

Today United Cerebral Palsy is celebrating our Applied Abilities Program’s 1 Year Anniversary with an Open House.  The Open House will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The program is located at 324 E. 11th Street, Suite C & D, Tracy, CA .

The program is designed and driven by each individual based on their life goals and passions. Our program participants are adults from 18 to 60 years old who live in the Tracy and Mountain House area. They participate in a variety of skill building activities in the program and in the community, including work ability, social skills development, cooking, healthy living, budgeting, computers, visual arts, exercise, and volunteerism.  This prime location offers centralized bus routes to and from various areas throughout Tracy plus many businesses, restaurants and civic organizations are within walking distance.

To learn more about our Applied Abilities Program contact Sr. Program Manager, Corinne Seaton at 209-834-3282 or email cseaton@ucpsj.org.

UCP’s Supported Employment Program (SE) is still hard at work assisting members with finding jobs. A great example is Carlito Tualla, a hard working member of UCP’s Landscaping Crew. Over the past few years Carlito has consistently displayed an ability to perform all job tasks efficiently. With the help of the SE, Carlito has pushed himself further and landed a job with Safeway! To learn more about this program view our video We Have Skills.

Help us help individuals throughout our community to live a “Life Without Limits”.

Donate Now.

Maria,

You taught Elijah how to be a child and play.  I remember the first thing you taught him was how to grab his toys.  I don’t think Elijah knew he could grab anything.  This awakened his little spirit and excited him.  Now I can’t get him to stop grabbing and he’s fast and good at it too.  Elijah did not communicate or play before you came.  You taught him to have fun and love life.  You taught him curiosity and how to voice his opinions.  Now Elijah smiles, laughs and babbles.  He watches his sisters play and run and is motivated to do the same.  I will miss you coming every week.  I will miss the look on Elijah’s face when I tell him “Maria’s coming today”.  I will miss your advice and wisdom.  You’ve taught me so much and Elijah now has a more confident mommy because of you.  Believe me when I say you were heaven sent.  I prayed and prayed for my son and God sent you and a whole lot of angels from UCP.  Aggressive and stern you are but a sweet and nurturing soul the perfect combo for Elijah.  You will be missed but never forgotten.  Each hurdle Elijah overcomes will be because you gave him a great start.

Thank you. Love Corina Estrada

To learn more about UCP’s Children and Family Services take a moment to view our video, CFS.

Support UCP by Donating Now.