February 2020 E-Newsletter at UCP-LIFebruary 2020 E-Newsletter at UCP-LI

UCP-LI Employment Connection &Volunteering

Joel Evans: Volunteering Is GREAT

Volunteering is GREAT. I realized thismore than ever while recovering frommy recent surgery.Last year, I wrote: "If you aren’talready doing so, considervolunteering." It’s a true win-win, forthose you are helping as well as forYOU. � � � � It is so rewarding!!While I was recuperating, I was really,really bored. Besides doctorappointments and physical therapy, Ihad little to do. As well as limitedmobility.However, my United Cerebral Palsybuddies whom I mentor, reallycheered me up. They called me as agroup. Amazingly, I recognized all oftheir voices. They also sent me acouple of cards signed by many ofthem. That really made me happy.When I returned on a limited basistwo weeks ago, they gave meincredible welcomes. Yelling out"Joel, Joel, Joel," as they wererunning to give me hugs andpresenting me with homemade cards.I was almost in tears.The preceding is what we get backfrom volunteering: An incredible

"Thanks to my UCPbuddies for givingback to ME!."

-Joel

sense of making a difference withsomeone else who needs it. I missedvolunteering as much as they missedme. - Joel Evans

SUPPORT US

DID YOU KNOW UCP of LI...Spends over 92 cents of every dollar on programs and services.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Volunteering can rangefrom a few hours to a long-

term relationship.To sign up or for further

questions,please e-mail info@ucp-

li.org.

Make a meaningful, long-termgift that will cost little or

nothing now and can createincome opportunities for you

and your family.

LEARN MORE

DONATE Please contact the Office of Development at 631-232-0015.

Valentine's Day Love!

It was a great monthcelebrating Valentine'sDay!The Parent Group at TheChildren's Center put on adelicious fundraising bakesale. The Children's Centerwas filled with cards andlaughter and The Adult DayProgram was treated to afantastic jewelry and craftclass by StephanieOcchipinti of OcchipintiDesigns. For parentsinterested in joining theParent Group, pleasecontact Ingrid Trouve atitrouve@ucp-li.org

Petting Zoo Fun!It was a busy February atthe Children's Center!There was a Petting Zoowhere children enjoyedtheir time with Mr. BunBun, a Lions HeadBunny!

Sonic, a very friendlyHedgehog.

Daphne, The Ferret andthe ever popular ChiChi,a Chinchilla.

Some brave individualseven put a snake aroundtheir neck! What anincredible time!

HISTORY!Founded in 1949 by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard

Goldenson, then President of United ParamountTheaters and ABC Television, UCP has been one

of the country’s leading organizations supportingchildren and adults with cerebral palsy and other

developmental and intellectual disabilities and

conditions. The national organization has beenknown for its influence, representation and

advocacy efforts on legislative issues and as arespected resource for information and referral.

A network of sixty-four affiliates across theUnited States and Canada, provide thousands ofindividuals through all stages of life, necessarysupports to live a Life Without Limits. Services

include educational,vocational, residential,therapeutic, employment and support services

that are entrepreneurial and innovative.

One of the best ways to get involved is inyour own community.

Our MISSION is to create a LIFE WITHOUT LIMITSfor an individual with a disability based on removing

barriers and offering opportunities. Each day through awide range of programs, our amazing staff helps foster

remarkable creativity from individuals with limitedcommunication or physical abilities.

WE ARE PROUD TO CELEBRATE 70 YEARS!

Meet DanARTIST OF THE MONTH

Dan has been an avidcomic book reader hiswhole life. His art stylecan be called "minimalist." However, itdoesn't stop him fromlearning about differenttypes of art and differentstyles. He has beeninspired by Superhero'ssince childhood and hasincorporated his love of

the "comic book" styleart in his work. Dan'sfavorite superhero isSuperman. He is also anavid moviegoer andattends a movie everyweekend. Dan's beautifulart is featured at UCP-LISpecial Events. Dan likesto experiment with theminimalist style ofpainting and is trying hishand at abstractpainting. Take a look,Dan's work is trulyremarkable.

Meet Rolf

In The Spotlight:

"There were many barriers,both physical orotherwise. Yet there weremany beautiful and happytimes, too. "

-Rolf

Perspective’s From AWheelchair – by Rolf W.

One of the most important things toknow about me is that I am a manwith many abilities, not a man with adisability. I’ve lived my life in awheelchair, and it has provided mewith a unique perspective of theworld around me. I have often saidthat there have been many times I’vefelt as though I’m at the bottom of aflight of stairs, unable to gain accessor entry. There were many barriers,physical or otherwise. Yet there weremany beautiful and happy times,too. I was very lucky to have deeplydevoted parents, who loved me,fought for me, and raised me toadvocate for myself. I was alwayssupported and protected. I don’tmind sharing there were alsofrustrating times that were upsettingfor me and my family. For example,there were times in my childhoodwhen my mother asked me to run anerrand in our neighborhood andother mothers would tell theirchildren to move away from me, tolook away from me. There were alsostore managers who wouldn’t allowme to enter because of mywheelchair. Or this one really upsetmy father -- and I can stillremember him balling his fists in hispockets. One time, my family wentout for Chinese food. A personactually complained to management

because I “slurped my soup."According to that person, I shouldn’teat out. My peers and I encounteredthis sort of behavior, and wecontinue to encounter people likethis. To me, the worst part was myparent’s anger and knowing thattheir hearts were breaking becausesomeone was unkind to me. But theynever showed it - they just raised meto be a better man. My parents took wonderful care ofme and fought for me every day ofmy life - and they raised me to usemy voice and my gifts to make lifebetter for myself and my peers. Myparents are gone, sadly, and I missthem. But I am not alone. I see mysiblings and nephews - andthankfully my parents got to see meliving my life at UCP. Theyunderstood what a special placeUCP is. And they knew I would besafe and happy with my UCP family.Today I am a happy man – a manwith many abilities. I live in abeautiful UCP home, and spend mydays trying to live as independentlyas possible doing the things I love. Ido need assistance but the UCP staffare simply the best. I’m in UCP'sBrushstrokes Program, and many ofyou have seen my paintings andcenterpieces over the years. I’ve evenstarted making my own adaptivepainting tools - I get inspired atHome Depot, my favorite store.Thankfully management therealways makes me feel welcome andI’m able to buy whatever I need. I’verecently taken up photography, too,and I love it. Anytime I want to trysomething new, UCP staff supportsand encourages me, as do my peers.Most importantly, I use my voice tospeak about how important it is toadvocate for the disabled. I’ve seen alot from this wheelchair over theyears, and there is still a need tobreak down barriers. My peers and Iare so grateful that UCP educatesour community, helps people withdisabilities live independently, findjobs, and even helps people get

married – UCP helps people livetheir own Life WithoutLimits. However, breaking downbarriers is a massive job! Imaginetoday witnessing that mother andher child shunning my younger self,or that man complaining because ofhow I ate my soup. In thosemoments, you might not be able tospeak up - it’s not easy. But let’s begrateful that UCP of Long Islandexists. I am everyday.

"Today I am a happy man – aman with many abilities. Ilive in a beautiful UCP home,and spend my days trying tolive as independently aspossible doing the things Ilove."

- Rolf for a limited time only" or "only 7remaining!"

UCP of Long Island TeamsUp With The PatchogueTheatre For Inaugural ArtistAppreciation Event

It was a special February as UCP-LIand The Patchogue Theatre partneredtogether for the Inaugural ArtAppreciation Event held at thehistoric theatre in the heart of ThePatchogue Village.

For the entire month of February,paintings created by UCP-LI’sIndividuals in the Adult Day ArtProgram were available for viewing to

the public at the Theatre.

The Patchogue Theatre featured atotal of 19 artists in the exhibit with36 pieces of work to be viewed outsidetheir famous auditorium.

Highlighting the month long event,on Wednesday, February 26, ThePatchogue Theatre, in conjunctionwith UCP of Long Island, held aspecial night showcasing the exhibitwith special guests and the artiststhemselves.

The Mayor of Patchogue, Mayor PaulV. Pontieri Jr., members of ThePatchogue Chamber of Commerceand The Patchogue Arts Council allwere on hand to celebrate UCP-LI'sLife Without Limits mission.

Mayor Pontieri presented each artiston hand with a special citation fortheir inspiring work.

With every stroke of the brush, UCP-LI’s artists demonstrate theirskills. Each artist embraces his or herunique talent, using adaptive toolswhen needed & exploringunconventional techniques such aspainting with bubble wrap,chopsticks, Brillo, chicken wire,among others.

Attendees were shown the uniquenessof the paintings created by individualswith disabilities in UCP-LI’s Adult ArtProgram. This program wasintroduced to help them strengthentheir fine motor-skills, relievetightness caused by Cerebral Palsy,Arthritis & other conditions.

The end result is always somethingbeautiful & special. The arts buildrelationships and “open doors” asUCP-LI’s artists participate in eventsthroughout the Long Islandcommunity where they can sell theirwork & showcase their many abilities. UCP of Long Island providesresidential care in 31 homes acrossSuffolk County, serving two

residential homes in the town ofPatchogue.

To learn more visit:www.ucp-li.org

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UCP of Long Island | 631-232-0015 | DEV@UCP-LI.ORG | www.ucp-li.org