School age transition—that crucial time leading up to and following graduation from high school—is for many, one of the most memorable, celebratory chapters in one’s lifetime. It can also be one of the most stress-inducing for young adults who are pondering the question: What comes next? For young adults with disabilities (and their parents), the…
Each year, UCP Executive Leadership works with Training and Development Manager Rebecca Beamer to plan a day-long retreat for staff from all six service divisions. The retreat provides a forum to connect in person, show appreciation for each other, and focus on the unmistakable impact of the work they do. Throughout the day, staff were…
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at UCP Central PA! On this Mother’s Day, we honor the extraordinary mothers who show up every day — not just as caregivers, but as advocates, mentors, and champions for their children and community. “Being a mother of someone supported by UCP fills me with gratitude and…
The Autism Society of America, through its affiliate network, has been connecting and empowering everyone in the Autism community with the support and resources they need, when they need it… since 1965. Over the years the Society has had great success in raising awareness, fostering acceptance, and promoting inclusion for people on the Autism spectrum.…
We All Want the Same Things in Life Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Awareness Month highlights the importance of fostering a society where people with disabilities are empowered to live to their full potential, and in doing so, contribute to their communities. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the unique gifts and talents—as well as the…
YEAR-END GIVING IS HERE Now is a great time to think about an IRA charitable gift (also known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). A charitable gift made from an IRA may help reduce or eliminate income tax on your 2025 tax return. A QCD allows you (70½ years and older) to directly contribute from…
PRESENTING THE 2025 CLASS OF PATHWAYS ACADEMY GRADUATES: Tim, Jeff, Dakota, Nathan The 2025 class of Pathways Academy graduates lived together for over a year and a half. They spent that time learning, studying, trying and failing, trying again and succeeding, sharing a home, and generally doing life together… all with the hope and…
The 2025 Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Summer Games which were held June 5-7 at Penn State University represent PA’s largest statewide athletic competition, bringing together more than 2,000 athletes, 750 coaches, and 1,000+ volunteers. The three-day event is an opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete and vie for medals in a variety of…
Through Community Participation Supports (CPS), UCP staff create opportunities and provide essential supports so individuals of diverse abilities can develop and share their gifts as they go about their everyday lives. A primary goal of CPS is to empower adult participants to become actively involved in their communities in meaningful ways. One way they choose…
At the heart of the recent UCP Staff Retreat was the basic premise that UCP is committed—individually and collectively—to making a meaningful difference in the lives of each person or family we support. In her opening remarks, CEO Janeen Latin expressed her gratitude “for the heart you bring to this work every day—for your compassion,…
