November 22, 2013
by: Emily Hastings
UCP’s Giving Back Group
UCP’s Giving Back Group is focused on how they can make the world a better place, one good deed at a time.
The group, comprised of about 11 Organizational Employment clients, started back in 2010. Angela Tomlin, OE Habilitation Assistant and the Giving Back Group facilitator, said she started the group because she believes everyone can make a difference. “I wanted to teach the clients that even though they have a disability, they are still able to give to other people who are less fortunate,” says Tomlin.
The clients love being a part of the group and really enjoy helping others. In fact, the group is in such high demand that clients have to rotate in and out of the group so that everyone can have a chance to participate.
The group meets every week during their down time from work. Tomlin says the clients come up with their own ideas about what projects they want to do and have discussions about how to raise funds.
During the Thanksgiving season, the group focuses their attention on UCP’s Children’s Services Department, raising money to purchase food for client families who are in need of some extra assistance. In order to raise the money, the group has hosted multiple bake sales and Krispy Kreme Doughnut sales.
This year the motivated group raised enough funds to purchase 15 turkeys, which is three more than the previous year. They will also give the families $40 gift cards to either Dave’s Supermarket, Walmart or Giant Eagle so that they can purchase some extra food to complete their Thanksgiving dinners.
The group will be presenting the families with the turkeys between November 21-26. When a family brings their child in for therapy, a couple of the Giving Back Group members will give them a turkey and gift card upon their departure. The families do not know ahead of time that they have been chosen, so it is always a joy to see the thankful, surprised expressions on their faces. There are always plenty of hugs to go around and undoubtedly some tears.
“To me, I feel like this group is special because the clients are able to give to others,” says Tomlin, explaining that the group has a domino-like effect. “The clients feel good about themselves that they are able to give to others, so then they become even more eager to do something else for someone.”
The Giving Back Group also leads UCP’s Harvest for Hunger campaign and helps with the Warm Hearts/ Warm Hands program, collecting winter scarves, gloves and hats. Starting December 2nd, the group will begin collecting toiletries and personal items for Cogswell Hall.
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