Tickets are still available! Join UCP of Greater Cleveland for a wonderful evening of jazz, food, wine and friends! This is a great way to kick-off the summer season and support Team UCP triathletes as they prepare to tackle the Cleveland Triathlon!
Join Team Children’s Services at their Spring Fling this coming Saturday, May 18th as they raise money in honor of the children served in their department and Team UCP! It promises to be a great evening!
“Around the Corner”
18616 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Tickets are $20/per person or $25 at the door. Call 216-791-8363 ext. 1250 to order by phone.
Price includes food and beverages, with an open bar from 6 to 8 pm.
UCP Children’s Art work will be available for Silent Auction as well as assorted gift baskets.
UCP Volunteers at the Race to Empower 5k and One Mile Fun Run.
UCP of Greater Cleveland understands how important volunteers are to function as a successful nonprofit organization. We not only rely on others for monetary support, but also for their commitment of time and energy. We are fortunate to have a strong base of dedicated volunteers who generously give their time to positively impact the lives of UCP clients. Therefore, I thought it would be useful to share how volunteering not only helps the organization, but how it can also benefit the volunteer.
1) Meet new people – It is often difficult to meet new people, especially if you are not a naturally outgoing person. Volunteering is great way to meet people who share similar interests, thereby opening up avenues to make new friends and networking contacts.
2) Learn new skills – Volunteering gives you firsthand experience that you cannot gain in the classroom, such as planning, goal setting, problem solving, and interacting with people outside of your usual peer group.
3) Explore possible new interests –When you volunteer, you get a chance to “test drive” new interests and discover new passions you did not even know you had.
4) Build your resume – Not only does volunteering provide networking contacts and skills that potential employers find valuable, but it also shows your commitment to the community. When employers see that you are a person who likes to give back to the community, it shows a side of you that cannot be reflected solely by your “prior work experience.”
5) Improves your physical and mental health – You know that “good feeling” you get when you volunteer? It turns out that feeling may be something more. Studies show volunteers live longer and have lesser incidents of chronic pain and heart disease. Volunteering also lowers depression, especially in people over the age of 65. To see more on this, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_JUEN2tt3c.
6) Raises self-confidence and self-esteem –Everyone likes to feel wanted and important. When you are able to give back to the community and help people in need, your self-confidence and self-esteem are naturally boosted.
7) Makes you appreciate what you have – Many people fall into the mindset of “If only I had…” or “I wish I could…” When you volunteer, you learn that there are many people less fortunate than yourself, thereby changing you mindset to “Wow, I am very blessed to be able to…”
Can you think of other benefits of volunteering? Let us know in the comments section below!
We have many volunteer opportunities available at UCP. You can find out more details at www.ucpcleveland.org/giving-and-volunteering/volunteer. Please fill out the volunteer application form at the bottom of the website or contact Emily Hastings at ehastings@ucpcleveland.org if you are interested.
Some content was derived from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq85LEof4gY.
Visit the UCP of Greater Cleveland Wolstein Center and find out what makes our Vocational Services Programs unique with information on our Adult Day Support, Organizational Employment and Assistive Technology programs.
UCP of Greater Cleveland’s Vocational Services Programs are designed to assist individuals with all types of disabilities (not only cerebral palsy) retain or improve their highest potential quality of life, productivity and development. Individuals participate in a variety of employment, social, leisure and recreational activities that enhance quality of life, increase employment productivity, as well as encourage community integration and socialization.
Please let us know you are coming by sending your RSVP to Tammy Willet, 216-791-8363 ext. 1228 or twillet@ucpcleveland.org
Download the Open House Flyer.
Need directions?
This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and everyone at UCP would like to send out a great big
to all of our amazing volunteers. Our organization would not be able to provide services at the levels of quality we strive for without your assistance, guidance, time and energy! This last Sunday at the Race to Empower was a great example of how UCP volunteers set the tone for the event and provided the manpower that helped make the event run smoothly!
Volunteers participate with organizations for a lot of different reasons. This week John Polz, an ongoing volunteer with UCP who not only helps out at events but also provides direct service to clients, shared his reasons for volunteering.
Being a Volunteer with UCP means everything to me because it’s the least I can do to give back. I was born with cerebral palsy and utilized UCP services during my preschool thru 3rd grade years at Sunbeam and UCP summer camps.
The support I received from my family, staff, and volunteers contributed to the stepping stones of my life. I have not forgotten the strength and passion they provided that helped me strive to do the best I can to succeed. Granted I had to work twice as hard to accomplish my goals. Without the support of my family and UCP, I wouldn’t be here today.
Having the opportunity to give a few hours out of my busy day to visit friends at UCP is the most gratifying feeling, and the least I can do. I am very honored to have met so many strong, independent, and happy friends. I am truly humbled.
John
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Thank you to John and to all of you who take time to volunteer with UCP of Greater Cleveland!
If you would like to get involved with UCP of Greater Cleveland as a volunteer, please visit our Volunteer Page or contact Emily Hastings at 216-791-8363 ext. 1232 or ehastings@ucpcleveland.org for information on how you can make a difference for children and adults with disabilities through sharing your time and talents.
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