UCPIE staff and friends enjoy a wonderful day at Children's Discovery Museum on Tuesday, August 9, 2018 where nine special needs kids received their very own adaptive bikes.
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About Us:
United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE) provides family support services for children and adults with special needs. Services provided are in-home respite care for people of all ages, out of school care through our after-school and summer Skill Builders program, adaptive sports, and resource and referral services. For over 30 years, UCPIE has been helping individuals with disabilities, providing them with the tools to help reach their full potential and become engaged members of our community.
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On Saturday August 25
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Palm Springs Lanes was a venue full of smiling, enthusiastic faces, full of fun and cheer. Community friends and sponsors such as
Palm Springs Subaru
,
Contour Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery,
the
Kiwanis Club of Palm Springs
and 35 other sponsors
joined our 28th UCPIE Bowl-a-thon. This year we had the absolute pleasure of being joined by
Walter Clark
and his production team as they filmed the first episode of “Desert Gems”. Desert Gems highlights wonderful organizations, destinations, people and arts which make the Coachella Valley a unique and fulfilling living destination. Thanks to the entire team at
Walter Clark Legal Group
for your community outreach and for making a difference in the lives of so many people! To view Desert Gems featuring UCPIE please see video below.
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Bowl-a-thon is more than your average fundraiser. It’s a huge party! A party for our special needs kids, parents, UCPIE donors and supporters. Everyone can be seen laughing, sharing stories and also making new friends. As a spectator you can witness people in walkers, wheelchairs and people of all ages and abilities come together as a family. This is our UCPIE family. Together we raise much needed funds and awareness but most importantly we uplift and inspire one another!
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Every year we host a variety of events that helps fund our adaptive bike and seven after-school programs for children and adults living with down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and other disabilities. These two UCPIE programs are funded by community grants and fundraising efforts. Every day special needs children all the way from Mecca to Desert Hot Springs attend the Skill Builders after-school program which helps program participants develop and improve five vital skill areas: socialization, independence, communication, safety and health. This is accomplished through a small student to teacher ratio facilitated by UCPIE and a structured curriculum of community outings, educational activities, arts & crafts and technology. The adaptive bike program is open to special needs individuals of all ages residing in both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To learn more about UCPIE’s mission and our programs please visit:
http://ucpie.org
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RESPITE SPOTLIGHT
Donna De Los Rios
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UCPIE In-Home Respite Care
is a service offered to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the Inland Empire. UCPIE sends qualified, pre-screened respite caregivers to homes to care for special needs individuals. Respite care benefits both the client and the primary caregiver. For clients, it gives them the opportunity to spend time with someone different and perhaps do some new things. Primary caregivers also benefit from respite care because they get some time to themselves, away from their usual responsibilities. This service allows usual caregivers an opportunity to take a much-needed rest or attend to other tasks, knowing that their loved one is well cared for by a certified respite care provider.
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This month we are highlighting Donna De Los Rios. Donna has been a UCPIE respite care provider since 2017. We spoke to her to learn more about her respite provider experience.
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UCPIE:
What are your clients special needs?
Donna:
I have two clients Steven and Billy. Steven has
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) it's a rare and severe kind of epilepsy that starts in childhood. Billy is developmentally delay.
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UCPIE:
Can you tell us how you got involved with Respite Care?
Donna:
I was introduced to UCPIE by a family friend. I first started as a after-school coach with the Beaumont program. I was then introduced to respite. Since day one with UCPIE a fell in love with the kids. They are always just so happy and full of love!
UCPIE:
What is the most rewarding thing about being a respite provider?
Donna:
The most rewarding thing about being a respite provider is the smiles! It brings me so much happiness to see my kids happy. And I say ''my kids" because I truly feel like they are family. I've seen them grow and reach milestones. My daughter always corrects me stating "Mom they are not your kids." But I can't help it. It comes out naturally. I say it all the time "my kids"when I am referring to them. I love them and they love me. The UCPIE families are part of my life and my family.
UCPIE:
In the time you’ve been a respite care provider, what is your biggest lesson learned?
Donna:
Oh, that's easy! Never underestimate them! They always surprise you.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our UCPIE respite program, please contact Gaby Reyes (760) 625-5058, email:
gabyreyes@ucpie.org
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SAVE THE DATE:
21st Annual Tour de Palm Springs
Saturday, February 9, 2019
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Join us at the 21st Annual Tour de Palm Springs and support UCPIE'S Team Freedom!
Team freedom consists of children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities. It was created by UCPIE in 2012. Team Freedom started with just one rider.
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Thanks to your on-going support of Team Freedom we are able to continue to provide our adaptive bike program and seven after-school programs for children and adults living with disabilities.
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HELP A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD THRIVE-
REGISTER FOR TOUR DE PALM SPRINGS TODAY!
UCPIE CHARITY CODE:
19TRUCP
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Attention:
In order for UCPIE to receive 100% of the registration fees you must enter our charity code. If you are having issues and need immediate assistance please call Sandra (310) 709-3936.
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To learn more about the Tour de Palm Springs and other ways to get involved please contact Sandra Gramajo at:
sandra@ucpie.org
(310) 709-3936
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SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE ITEMS!
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You can assist us in our fundraising efforts year-round by donating a silent auction or raffle item. Popular items are restaurant gift cards, wine bottles, special attraction tickets, spa baskets and resort stays. Your gift will help fund our adaptive bike program and ensures that many special needs children and young adults have an after-school program where they can learn life skills, grow and play in a safe environment. Please email:
sandra@ucpie.org
to schedule pick-up.
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SPECIAL DESERT STARS PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY!
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UCPIE in partnership with the Special Desert Stars Performing Arts Academy present the Coachella Valley's first musical production consisting of a cast of children and adults with special needs.
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On Sunday, September 23rd the first information session was held and the program syllabus was shared. This six week intensive theater program will give special needs individuals the opportunity to learn acting and theater skills. This program will conclude with a full production in front of an live audience. The program is free of cost and all special needs individuals are encouraged to apply. The first day of orientation and auditions take place on Saturday, November 3rd. For details on this program please contact program director Michelle Bachman (760) 393-1375, email:
Michelle.Bachman@csu.fullerton.edu.
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UCPIE Advisory Council Reception
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On Thursday October 4
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we hosted our advisory council reception. Our advisory council is a group of volunteers who give their time, support and share resources to champion the mission of UCPIE. We value our incredible advisory council and their expertise and passion to make a positive difference in the lives of many special needs families. We could not accomplish our goals without the support, involvement and enthusiasm of our committed supporters! Again, thank you for your continued commitment to the values and mission of UCPIE.
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SAVE THE DATE:
The Gardens on El Paseo 21st Annual Concert Series
Saturday, March 9, 2019
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The 8-week series consists of a 1-hour concert each Saturday night on the Center Lawn of The Gardens on El Paseo and El Paseo Village from 5-6pm with ticket sales and wine reception preceding the concert. Your ticket purchase helps benefit local charities, and includes 2 glasses of wine and lite bites. On Saturday, March 9, 2019 proceeds benefit UCPIE. Our entertainer is
Mark O’Toole a fabulous Las Vegas casino and nightclub veteran.
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Mark's love of performing began early in life with leading roles in The Boston Children's Theatre. After several years of guitar lessons, he discovered the other love of his life... Singing. Mark started his first band at the age of 16, playing weddings and other events, from the worst dives to beautiful mansions. He worked for two seasons at the South Shore Music Theatre in Cohasset, MA working with many celebrities. He carefully studied their talents and took what he thought was their best and put them into his own shows.
Mark has headlined at almost every casino and nightclub in Las Vegas and he's the recipient of numerous highly coveted entertainment and humanitarian awards! To learn more about Mark
O'Toole please visit:
https://www.markotoolevegas.com/
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Gardens on El Paseo Concert Series Packages
Package #1 $15:
Entry for ONE, 1 food ticket and 2 drink tickets
Package #2 $25:
Entry for ONE, 1 food tickets and 4 drink tickets
Package #3 $35:
VIP Entry for ONE, 1 food ticket and 4 drink tickets
*VIP entry tickets guarantees seating placement in the first TWO rows.
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