Success Stories
20 Years of Dignity: Charlie Smith
20 Years of Dignity: Charlie Smith
For more than 53 years UCP Central PA has served as an advocate and support
network for individuals with disabilities and their families. Twenty years ago,
as it became apparent that supplemental funds were required to sustain existing
programs, a group of dedicated, and forward thinking volunteers began to plan
and organize special events for UCP.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of three of these annual events: Magic
Night, Sports Auction, and the Golf Tournament. Over this period of time, more
than one million dollars has been raised to support UCP’s programs and services…
and to help ensure life without limits for people with disabilities. Thanks to
the event volunteers’ hard work and determination, UCP has been able to increase
and enhance the program options for individuals with disabilities and their
families, thus enabling participants to choose programs that meet their
individual needs. The reward for those involved in the planning and execution of
UCP special events extends far beyond the amount of money raised. It is the
satisfaction of knowing that their work will change someone’s life for the
better, as it did with Charlie Smith.
Prior to his involvement with UCP, Charlie Smith, who lives with a mental
disability, had limited options. Charlie has tremendous potential, but rarely
had an opportunity to leave his home and pursue a valued role in the community.
Like the rest of us, Charlie desires and deserves the basics of life: the chance
at happiness and the opportunity to be a valued member of the community.
Experiences such as having friends, having control over your life, taking pride
in your work or successes, being loved, and loving others are all part of social
role valorization that people with disabilities often lack in their lives,
primarily when there are not appropriate services available to provide support.
This was the case with Charlie, whose only desire was to experience life to the
fullest, instead of staring out the window every afternoon in solitude.
Charlie’s world changed forever when UCP opened a program in his community and
for the first time he was given the opportunity to attend an adult day program.
Charlie’s love of animals, and support from UCP, led him to a volunteer job at
the Darkay Kennel in Newport. The kennel’s owners first met Charlie through a
staff person from UCP. After forming a relationship with the kennel the staff
decided to give Charlie an opportunity to work as a kennel assistant. It didn’t
take long for Charlie to excel at his new job because he takes a great deal of
pride in his work. The kennel has also allowed Charlie to explore his social
skills. His time spent at the kennel allows him to get to know many local pet
owners, but more importantly Charlie is getting to know his neighbors. The
people in his hometown, where he lived for many years, never knew Charlie since
he didn’t have the means or the support to get out into the community. Charlie
has come a long way in the last 20 years. He is able to lead a productive day,
learn meaningful vocational skills, experience a sense of achievement, and get
to know his peers.
Not so very long ago, many individuals of Charlie’s age were forced to live a
life of solitude and despair, simply because of a disability. UCP is proud to
champion the rights of individuals with all types of disabilities, and is
committed to support to those individuals, and their families, throughout their
lifetime.
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