UCP Staff Retreat Recap

Among the highlights of the UCP Staff Retreat each year are the Mission Impact Stories. This year was no exception. Three speakers shared heartfelt messages about the day-to-day impact of UCP services on their lives and those of their families.

Greer's Message: Be Kind

Greer L and her mother Judy were on hand to share their experience with UCP's Agency with Choice (AWC), a service model that empowers participants to choose who they want as their support person, how much they will pay, and what schedule they will work. In Greer's case, she chose Mom to serve as a paid support person. This relationship has given Greer the freedom to pursue her creative endeavors. While at the retreat, she took advantage of the opportunity to sell some items from her growing product line line (tablets, apparel, ball caps, mugs, and more) featuring her handwritten plea to "Be Kind."

Her Path to Independence

Molly H was the final speaker to share the impact UCP staff and services have had on her life. A 2023 graduate of Pathways Academy (UCP's residential independent living and skill development program), Molly mastered the skills to live on her own, and has been doing so for the past 9 months. Thanks to the support she received from UCP's Employment Services, she has been happily and gainfully employed by HomeGoods for over 2 years. Molly ended by saying that with hard work, strength, and determination on her part--along with the right support which she has received from UCP--she has been able to achieve her goals and find her purpose.

Global Dessert Showcase Celebrates Diverse Backgrounds of UCP Staff

A new addition to this year's staff retreat was an initiative introduced by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council of UCP. The Council invited any interested staff to bring to the retreat a dessert that was either representative of their culture or origins, or one that was a family favorite.

With more than 30 unique entries from across the agency, the Dessert Showcase was a huge hit. Odds are it will become a staple of upcoming UCP Staff Retreats. A digital cookbook containing all the recipes from the 2024 Showcase is already being planned.

DEI Council Member and UCP Talent Acquisition Manager Megan Link commented on staff reaction: "It was so much fun seeing everyone looking at the table cards for each dessert to see who made what, like a scavenger hunt. This is what it's all about in the workplace, a sense of belonging. This simple gesture 'sweetened' our gathering and brought us together through a common love of desserts. If we can come together for this showcase, imagine what else we can do by embracing and honoring each other."

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