Mission Moments

Spring break brings much anticipated

gym floor resurface!

The much anticipated gym floor resurface began Saturday, March 23rd and was completed Wednesday, March 27th! The new floor looks amazing and we are SO incredibly grateful for the support

we received at this year's Great Chefs Tasting

paddle raise that made this renovation possible!

Now all of our students, participants, and clients

have a beautiful gym floor to enjoy!

Special Events

This year's Great Chefs Tasting event

was a huge success!

Because of YOUR generous support at this year's Great Chef's Tasting event, we were able to raise just under $110,000

for UCP-Center for Disability Services!

Congratulations to this year's participating property winners!

Best Beverage

Bishop's Hill Winery

Best Savory Dish

City BBQ

Best Dessert

Elvita's Bakery

Best Property Presentation

Moe Joe's

Click below to learn more about this year's winners and

other participating properties.

Visit our Website

Be sure to save the date for next year's event!

Program News

Easter Bunny makes a surprise

visit before spring break

The Easter Bunny came early and there were lots of smiles and joy because he brought eggs filled with goodies!

Click on the play button on the image above to watch the joy unfold!

Volunteer Spotlight

Congratulations to this year's

Chef Fred award winner, Kay Riley

Pictured (L-R): Executive Director, Brian Patel and Board Members Kay Riley,

Fred Ferrara, and Pat Desiderio.

Kay Riley is a board member at UCP-Center for Disability Services. She was also an integral part of this year's Chefs Tasting Committee and ultimately helped contribute to the event's success!

Kay has been with the agency for many years as her daughter Megan was a student at our therapeutic day school, and our building is named in her honor. Kay and her family are long time supporters of our organization and its mission, and we are so incredibly grateful

for their support over the years!

To learn how you or your business can get involved,

click the button below!

Learn More

Staff Spotlight

Welcome to our new Director of Development,

Beth Kazmierczak!

Please join us in welcoming Beth Kazmierczak to UCP-Center of Disability Services! Her first day with the agency was at this year's Great Chef's Tasting event. Beth joins our team after spending many years with GiGi's Playhouse, a 501(c)(3) national network of brick and mortar Down Syndrome Achievement Centers. Beth said, "I feel my previous job experience, not only with GiGi's, but in the field of Parks & Recreation, has prepared me well for this role." Beth brings an abundance of knowledge and experience to the agency in fundraising and marketing. She and her husband Jim, who is an educator, have three children and live locally in Joliet. Her daughter Nora has Down syndrome and a right hand anomaly. Beth said, "My passion for advocating for the disability community stems from my daughter."

She continued, "Individuals of all abilities are ABLE and will exceed expectations, they just need to be given more opportunities to do so." Beth is extremely excited to join our team and can't wait to see what the future holds for the agency!

Community Connections

Thank you to our Joliet Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School team!

Pictured (L-R): Executive Director, Brian Patel, Brianna Hernandez, Nicole Gama, Tori Hir,

Lupe Alvarado, and Matt Dollinger.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Joliet Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School team for

all of their support, guidance, and teamwork in the marketing and

outreach during our Chefs Tasting event. Every team member

helped contribute to the success of this year’s event, and

we are so grateful for each one of them!

Advocacy

U.S. Senate passes DSP Act

On Wednesday, March 20th, the U.S. Senate passed the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S. 1332), a bill that urges the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to create a SOC for DSPs. The next step is for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the bill. You can help by writing your Member of Congress to tell them why federal recognition of DSPs is so important.

Contact your U.S. Representative

UCP National

Did you know?

UCP-Center for Disability Services is 1 of 55 affiliates across

the United States and Canada!

To view all of the United Cerebral Palsy affiliates, visit here.

For more information about UCP-Center for Disability Services, or to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events, be sure to follow us on social media!