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UCP CELEBRATES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR
United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois Prairieland, Inc. an affiliate of the nation’s largest provider of services for the developmentally disabled, is celebrating 50 years of serving Will, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, Ford and Iroquois counties. For 53 years UCP’s mission has been to improve the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.
During the past year, UCP has developed partnerships with a number of local businesses including Caterpillar, Tracey Painting and Decorating, NiCor and the IBEW Apprenticeship Training Program. These groups, in addition to UCP’s many volunteers have assisted with the upgrading and rehabbing of the former Reedswood School which houses a number of the agency’s programs. Painting, electrical service upgrades, and a variety of landscape additions have begun at the Reedswood building, as well as at several of the independent living facilities for the developmentally disabled, operated by UCP throughout Will county.
UCP continues to offer a variety of services for the community’s most profoundly developmentally disabled residents. The Adult Services Program provides developmental training for 70 adults as well as offers residential services for 29 individuals through community independent living arrangements – CILA’s. The Family Support and Respite Programs serves over 200 children and adults in the six county area by offering in-home care and training 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The After-school Respite Program assists working parents by providing a supervised group setting between 2-5pm, Monday through Friday. The School Program provides educational services for children referred directly from the surrounding school districts. The school educates and trains children between the ages of 3 and 21 with profound developmental disabilities. Many of the children also have serious additional medical problems.
UCP is blessed by a number of individuals and groups, which provided volunteer services and financial support throughout the past year. The Will-Grundy County Sportsmen for Charity, The Friends of UCP, the Joliet HOG Chapter, National City Bank, and many others provided invaluable support to UCP’s programs and consumers, as well as assisted with its numerous fundraising efforts and events.
The 2007 Great Chef’s Tasting Party, UCP’s largest fundraiser was a huge success. This year’s event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club on March 2nd, 2008 will mark its’ 13th Anniversary as the areas premier event showcasing area restaurants and caterers.
2007 saw the fourth annual “United We Ride” Poker Run for UCP. Over 100 motorcycle riders and passengers rode over 80 miles to support UCP’s programs and services. The day began at Motorplex and ended at Heroes West Sports Grill for a celebration event.
For more information on United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois Prairieland, Inc. and their programs and services please call 815/744-3500 or visit their website at www.ucpillinoisprairieland.org.
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