United Cerebral Palsy of the Wabash Valley
United Cerebral Palsy: Celebrating 60 years of service to the Wabash Valley.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.
Mission Statement :
Improving the life and well-being of those with disabilities through advocacy, outreach, service and support.
In November of 1946, a small group of parents formed The Forgotten Child's Club. In 1949, they organized under the name of The Cerebral Palsy Parents Council and in 1951 affiliated with United Cerebral Palsy of America as United Cerebral Palsy of Vigo County. In September 1955, the Beacon School was opened and many applicants were from outside Vigo County and the name was subsequently changed to United Cerebral Palsy of the Wabash Valley. UCPWV quickly expanded to include Sullivan, Clay, Parke, Vermillion and Greene counties. Beacon School no longer exists, but the goal of those founding parents, that their children not be forgotten, is still being realized. UCPWV provides services to children and adults with disabilities.
Message from the Executive DirectorHello everyone. The first quarter of 2012 has kept all of us here at UCPWV very busy. I always look forward to taking a moment to share all of the exciting things that have been going on with all of you who are part of our family. UCPWV has the pleasure of having numerous volunteers in the last few months. They have been working on painting, cleaning, and carpeting the Bell Building where our apartment are located. In addition, we have a new Part-Time staff member, Travis Phillips. Travis has volunteered with us for many years; he now serves as our Resource Development & IT Specialist, wherein he assists me with day-to-day management of the office, specializing in fundraising and IT services. The 14th annual Barstool Open that was held on March 10, 2012 was a record day for the organization. After expenses were calculated, the Wabash Valley and 26 local bars helped us raise close to $27,000 to help people with disabilities live "Life without Limits." A generous thank-you is owed to all of the patrons, participating bars, and businesses sponsoring the event. Without them, our valient efforts would not be possible. Beginning in mid-April, UCPWV will offer six free art classes on Thursday to Wabash Valley citizens, giving special attention to the intergration of art and disabilities. The instructor for the classes will be David Estes. He will be assisted by Sylvia Brockman and Joe Slaby. Each session will focus on a different aspect of art. For more details or to register for the class(es), call the office at (812) 232-6305. See the Upcoming Events section for dates and topics. In closing, I would like to say how proud I am to be a part of this organization and this community. The Wabash Valley has created a warm and loving home for UCPWV, and we invite you to come into our home anytime. If you ever have any questions about who we are, what we do, or how you can be a part of our family, please call, e-mail, or write. Remember to recognize abilities without focusing on the disability. |
Upcoming EventsAll-Inclusive Art Classes: The Arts and Disabilities 621 Poplar Street (Lower Level) Free of Charge April 12 & 19: Sketching Call the Office to Register |