United Cerebral Palsy :: June 2010 E-News Bulletin

UCP Art Exhibit Featured in the Santa Monica Mirror

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UCP was recently featured in the Santa Monica Mirror, a small community paper that covers Westside news. The article details UCP's art exhibit at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel, which showcases several talented UCP clients. The central piece (pictured above) is a mural, painted by clients and UCP staff, based on a photo of a young child in Nicaragua who just received his first wheelchair from UCP Wheels for Humanity. The exhibit not only shows the many wonderful works of art created by individuals with developmental disabilities but will also raise awareness of our organization. The exhibit will be up until June 30th. Click here to download the Santa Monica Mirror article.

Grand Reopening at Washington Place in Culver City!

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On Thursday, May 27th, UCP launched the new Westside Services at Washington Place Community Center in Culver City. This is one of four UCP locations that offer Adult Day Services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The innovative programs offered at Washington Place enable people to connect with resources that strengthen independence, skill development, self-esteem, healthy living, and a sense of belonging to their community.

The focus of the center is to promote meaningful opportunities for the people we partner with as they carve out their adult lives; this includes an emphasis on community involvement, independence and personal choices, access to innovative health services, individualized training and skill building, and increased options for continuing education, job placement and socialization.

Kids Helping Kids Across the World

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Students at Tulita Elementary School in the Redondo Beach Unified School District were looking for ways to help underprivileged kids around the world. With the help of Tulita Elementary School parent, Diane Jones, a connection was made between the students' desire to help and UCP Wheels for Humanity (a division of UCP). Diane Jones is also a member of Psi Delta Sigma (a UCP auxiliary group), which was founded in 1921 as a national social group of women with a charitable purpose of supporting United Cerebral Palsy.

Over the span of only two weeks, students at Tulita Elementary School raised $2,500 dollars through collecting change. This remarkable result will allow UCP Wheels for Humanity to send wheelchairs to children with disabilities in underdeveloped countries around the world. In addition, the students created cards to send to the children receiving the wheelchairs and in return will be given photos of the new owners. UCP is currently looking to expand the program district-wide through our auxiliary groups.

Thank you to all the students at Tulita Elementary School for such a phenomenal job!

Happy Birthday Claude!

Claude Smith, a dedicated member of the Special Children’s League - South Bay Committee and longtime UCP supporter recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Claude has been a part of the committee since 1981, and during that time has spent endless hours helping to raise money for UCP and inspiring her fellow members. Special Children’s League (SCL) was founded in 1946 as a volunteer organization dedicated to furthering the cause of all people with developmental disabilities. There are three active SCL committees (Foothill, South Bay and Whittier) that raise funds for UCP through special events, silent auctions and other activities.

From everyone at UCP, we wish Claude a Happy Birthday!