UCP of the Golden Gate News

7th Annual Ultimate Holiday Party

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:02:00 -0500

Saturday, December 12, 2009
Marriott Hotel Oakland, CA
1:00 4:00 PM
Call 510.832.7430 x4 for invitation

6th Annual UCP of the Golden Gate Ultimate Holiday Party Applications being Accepted!!!!

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:35:00 -0500

The Board of Directors of United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate (UCPGG) would like to invite your family to apply (on behalf of your special needs child) to become a gift recipient at our 6th Annual Ultimate Holiday Party.

UCPGG recognizes that there are many challenges that families face finding adaptive toys for their children with special needs. These difficulties include; finding age appropriate toys, finding affordable toys, and selecting toys that their children can access. Six years ago, we began providing adaptive toys to special needs children throughout the four counties that we serve (Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa), in an effort to support families during the holiday season.

On Saturday December 13, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Oakland, UCPGG will hold its 6th Annual Ultimate Holiday Party to provide adaptive toys for 175 special needs children. This years event promises to be our biggest and most exciting to date, with games, entertainment, great food, and other surprises!!

In order to identify and provide the most suitable and desirable gift for this years recipients, we are asking that all applications be completed in full, including a list of your childs most desirable toy. Award recipients will be randomly selected and must be able to attend the event in order to receive their gift. Parents and siblings are also welcome to attend.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21st in order to be considered. Applications can be submitted via U.S. Mail (UCPGG, 1970 Broadway, Suite 115, Oakland, CA 94612), e-mail (kglatze@ucpgg.org) or, fax (510-839-1329). Recipients will be notified of their selection on Monday, November 24th.

If you have any questions, please contact the UCPGG office at (510)832-0431, or via e-mail at kglatze@ucpgg.org.

Gift Application - English

Aplicación del regalo - Español

UCP of the Golden Gate and Best Buy Deliver the Goods

Wed, 07 May 2008 22:40:00 -0500

Pictured: from left to right
Ted Widger- General manager-Best Buy,
Karen Glatze- Administrative Director-UCP,
Principal Maria Elena Rivera
at Bowman Elementary School and
Barry Gardin- President UCP Board of Directors

In order to raise awareness and promote the use of technology in special education, UCP of the Golden Gate (UCP-GG) has teamed with the Best Buy Community Foundation to provide an entire class of moderate to severely disabled special education students in Hayward, CA, with over $35,000 in assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. This effort is intended to raise awareness by demonstrating the impact technology can have in helping special education students attain their academic goals.

The wide array of assistive technology products available coupled with the unique nature of each students disability makes it extremely challenging and expensive for educators to find the most appropriate technology resources to help students reach their academic potential. In addition, funding shortages and lack in awareness of assistive technology often result in students with disabilities not being provided with technology resources that can help them achieve their goals.

In order to identify the most appropriate resources for the students selected for this project, UCP-GG obtained the volunteer services of noted Speech and Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist Jill Rivers. In collaboration with the classroom teacher and with the support of the families and Hayward Unified School District administration, Jill completed assessments of each student and made recommendations for the purchase of augmentative communication devices, software, hardware, and other items specific to helping each student achieve their academic goals. When describing her experience with this project Jill stated, "...in 30 years of working in education, the Bowman School project has been one of my most rewarding and fulfilling experiences."

"This is just wonderful. I was crying in joy when I found out about the programs and equipment donated to the school," said Kathy Zembik, Ally's grandmother. "We've been waiting for this for so long. Now Ally will be able to tell us when she's thirsty, hungry and all the little things that we take for granted."

A touch-screen computer and communication devices for students were among the equipment provided for these students.

Funding support for this project was partially provided by a grant received from the UCP Elsie S. Bellows Fund, which was established in 1995 to provide assistive technology equipment to individuals with disabilities, and a $5,000 grant award from the Best Buy Community Foundation. In addition to their financial support, Best Buy, through their location in Union City, CA, is providing the services of their "Geek Squad" technical support group to provide assistance with installation and ongoing technical support to the class as they endeavor to incorporate technology into their education. "Best Buy is extremely honored and proud to be part of this wonderful project," said Ted Widger, General Manager of Best Buy in Union City, CA.

On April 9th, UCP and representatives from Best Buy's Geek Squad held a reception at Bowman Elementary School where students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and members of the project team from UCP-GG and Best Buy were on hand to celebrate the benefits of the technology.

Everyone In

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 02:38:00 -0500

United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate
introduces new service
for elementary school aged children with CP and similar disabilities!

United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gates (UCP) Mission is to advance the full integration of people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities this means including our children in childcare!

UCPs new pilot service makes it possible for elementary school aged children with CP and similar disabilities to attend after school programs with their typically developing peers. In partnership with the Regional Center of the East Bay (www.rceb.org) and the Golden Gate Regional Center (www.ggrc.org), UCP will provide the supports necessary to facilitate inclusion of children in after school programs in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and Marin Counties.

We are pleased to partner with many after school child care providers in the Bay Area please call to locate a child care provider near you!

This is a very new and innovative model of service delivery and will be the first service of its kind in the Bay Area.

If you are interested in signing up or knowing more about this new service please call Karen Glatze at 510.832.0431 or click here for more information. Everyone In

United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate Hosted 5th Annual Ultimate Holiday Toy Party

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:30:00 -0500

United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate (UCPGG) hosted children with disabilities and their families at its 5th Annual Ultimate Holiday Toy Party on Sunday, December 9, 2007 The party took place at the Oakland Marriott Hotel where over 400 people were in attendance.

The free event, from 2-4 p.m., was open to children who reside in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa or Marin County and who applied to the Ultimate Holiday Gift Program. They were 12 years of age or under and affiliated with a Regional Center, California Childrens Services (CCS), or receive therapy through their school districts. This year, all children who applied received gift certificates for specially-designed, adaptive toys from Beyond Play or Abilitations. UCPGG was proud to be able to give out 339 gift certificates each worth $100.

At the Ultimate Holiday Toy Party, children were invited to try out adaptive technology/ communication devices from Dynavox. They got to visit with Santa Claus and receive a gift from him. Miss Oakland joined the celebration and assisted Santa in giving out the gifts to the children. Refreshments and arts and crafts were available for all to enjoy.

When our organization decided to raise money to provide toys for children with special needs, we were struck by two things, the limited availability of appropriate toys in the mass market and their great expense, says UCPGG Board President Barry Gardin. We discovered that conventional toys for children with mobility difficulties were often designed for very young children and were not age appropriate. In addition, we found that adaptive toys which are appropriate often cost many times the price of standard toys. For instance, an adaptive tricycle, which is both fun and therapeutic for a child, can cost in excess of $1,000.

Since the Ultimate Holiday Gift Program was initiated in 2003, more than 900 children have benefited from the program, Gardin continues. UCPGG has received support from many individuals.

Persons seeking information about this years (2008) event or wishing to be involved in the future may contact Karen Glatze, UCPGG Administrative Director at (510) 832-0431.