April 19, 2011

by: Renee Canfield

Expanding the UCP Community

Welcome!  Come on in and make yourself comfortable!  This is UCP of Greater Cleveland’s new website and blog.  We are so excited to share with you a finished project that has been a long time coming.  Through a generous capacity building grant from The Cleveland Foundation, we have completely redesigned our website and added tools that we hope will help you to become more connected to the agency and expand the UCP community.

In the About Us section, you will find information on the agency, be able to meet the board members and find important email and phone numbers for employees.  You can also view our new agency video, which highlights some great UCP clients and employees, as well as talks about how the agency lives daily by our core-values:  Client-Centered Service provided with Integrity, Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration.  In the Services for Children and Services for Adults sections, you can gain information about programs at UCP, submit applications for programs, email employees about program questions and view short videos that demonstrate program impact on those we serve. Each section also has an extensive list of resources for families with children and adults with disabilities.  Giving and Volunteering makes it easy for you and your family to become involved through online volunteer applications, clearly defined ways to participate in events and a very easy way to donate directly to UCP online.  News and Events is the place to find out what is happening at UCP on the Agency Calendar, view the UCP newsletter and other publications online and watch, hear and read Success Stories of the amazing progress clients are making in UCP programs toward their own independence.  Business and Partners can find information on services UCP can offer the community under the Business Partnerships section, such as shredding and piece work at our onsite workshop, as well as view some of our outstanding current partners.  Potential employment applicants can view open job positions and now even apply online in the Employment section.  Current employees can view information on benefits and training schedules.

This blog will be one of the most visible new tools.  Here in this space different members of the UCP community will share information focused on monthly topics that will keep you informed about disability issues, what is happening in the community and provide you with tools to make your family’s life as independent and productive as possible.  UCP employees will also share relevant and timely information on programs and events.

April is National Volunteer month and is the perfect time to launch the new website and more effectively connect to our stakeholders.  We invite you to begin to use these new tools to become informed, empowered and inspired to be an active part of the UCP community.  Let us know what works, what does not work and what else you would like to see on the website and here, on the UCP blog.  We look forward to connecting with all of you and continuing the UCP legacy of empowering individuals with disabilities to advance their independence, productivity and inclusion in the community in this new forum.

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