Vote for Your Favorite Charity!
Posted on: 27 July 2009 at - Comment
100% of proceeds from Twestival Houston 2009 will go to a local charity: which one would you like to benefit? Vote here and/or add your own - you can choose more than one! http://poll.fm/12×8t
Founded in 1946, United Cerebral Palsy serves individuals with ALL types of disabilities, as well as their families. Through a staff of over 75 professionals, United Cerebral Palsy serves more than 5,200 families annually in Houston and the four surrounding counties.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT? On average over 65% of the families served by United Cerebral Palsy have a household income below the poverty line. Many of the programs experience a much higher percentage such as our Housing Initiative and our largest program, the Infant Development Program. So, now more than ever, money raised by is very important in helping the agency continue its 60 year tradition of providing free or low cost, high quality services to thousands of children and adults with disabilities and their families in Houston and the four surrounding counties each year. Our client breakdown for race is as follows: 38% Hispanic, 30% African American, 30% Caucasian and 2% Asian.
According to the Foundation Center, only 2.9% of charitable giving is made to programs serving people with disabilities, in spite of the fact that the most recent US Census showed that one in five Americans lives with a disability or long-term medical condition.
This year more than ever, your generous support will help further the quality of services provided to over 5,200 individuals and their families yearly as $0.88 out of every dollar raised by United Cerebral Palsy goes directly to client service.
SERVICES OFFERED - UCP offers a full complement of services and plans to continue to expand its programs:
• ECI/Infant Development Program provides comprehensive Early Childhood Intervention Services for children from birth to age three years including physical, occupational, speech and vision therapy as well as case management services, community resource referral services, and counseling.
• Toy/Tech and Play Therapy offers a lending library of specially adapted toys and Assistive Technology Lab, Gymboree, yoga, pet therapy play groups, counseling, and other educational experiences to help the development and integration of children with disabilities into their families, school and the community.
• Respite Services provides relief options to parents who provide ongoing care of their family member who has a disability, vouchers for in-home respite care, Family Day Out, and counseling services to reduce stress, abuse, family break down and institutionalization of individuals with disabilities.
• Camps, Counseling and Case Management includes day and sleepover camp options which provide recreation and socialization for the child as well as respite for the caregiver. Support groups and case management provide community connection, referral to resources and emotional support for people with disabilities, their caregivers and siblings.
• High School/High Tech is a community-based partnership of parents, educators, rehabilitation professionals and business representatives working together to encourage high school students with disabilities to explore the fields of science, engineering and technology.
• Housing Initiative / Home of Your Own (HOYO) assists low-income adults with disabilities or a family with a child with a disability realize the dream of owning their first home as well as assistance with rental properties.
• Therapy Services are physical, occupational and speech therapy for children over the age of three including, intensive therapy for potentially life-changing results.
• Adult Services offers recreational opportunities to adults with disabilities. This program offers many of its clients’ their only opportunity for socializing and provides respite for the adult participant’s caregivers.