September 11, 2020
Dear UCP Heartland Employees:
I hope everyone is well, healthy, safe and in good spirits. I want to start off this weeks communication by remembering this day 19 years ago and those lives that were lost and forever affected. It is hard to believe that it has almost been 2 decades. No doubt, wherever you were…..we will never forget. I recently read an article that had some great points that stuck with me. Quick excerpt: “Do you remember September 12, 2001? How you felt that day? The fire? The drive? The hurt? We were filled with sorrow. And anger. And confusion. And frustration. But also — unity. We woke up feeling whole. Together. Ready. That’s what we want to – NEED TO – remember. Not the sucker punch – but the return to our feet – united, armed to fight together.” Some say the current climate we are living in today will change our lives forever. In my opinion, we need to hold the above statements close to our heart and know that unity and being united is a good thing.
Strategic Plan Survey Input
Thank you to employees that have met with me, filled out the survey, or have asked for the link and have provided input. For those that still have not had the opportunity to provide input on the 10 questions, please send me an email or a message through Set-Works and I will provide you the link. We are closing the survey next Friday September 18th.
Employee Recognition Week
Next week UCP Heartland is going to utilize all 5 days to say thank you and show our appreciation for all you do for the organization and the people and families we support. I want to thank the Human Resources team for leading and coordinating this effort. I will not be able to make all the different activities/celebrations but I hope you know how much I value every employee here at UCP Heartland. Each of us play a critical role in carrying out our incredible mission, history and legacy of providing quality services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
September 13-19th, 2020 (#DSPRW2020) also is recognized across the country as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. I want to take this opportunity to salute all of our DSP’s for being so dedicated, passionate and the heart and soul of the every day supports provided to people with disabilities. During this pandemic, your work has been amplified, even more challenging but you have stepped up and continue to respond in such a positive way. I am so grateful!
Below is just one example of how our DSP’s have and always will step up for the people we serve:
When a UCP Heartland client was looking at a hospital discharge following a positive COVID-19 test, one our DSP’s immediately stated he would work whatever hours needed to ensure that the individual could come home and not be admitted into a nursing home. A small team of UCP Heartland DSP’s provided support to the individual in his own home making sure he was comfortable and recovering from his battle with COVID-19.
Wing Ding 2020
If you have looked at UCP Heartland’s website (www.ucpheartland.org ) or follow on social media….you have probably noticed Wing Ding 2020 is still a go. Tag line: Just as Fun. Just Online!!! It was only about 6 weeks ago, I was thinking that we were probably going to have to scrap the whole thing. But thanks to our Community Development team for coming up with a safe way to keep the Wing Ding alive during this pandemic.
The Wing Ding 2020 is going to be held October 1st at 6:00 p.m. There will be a small group of judges tasting our participating restaurant’s chicken wings at the Manchester facility parking lot and voting their favorite. There are 5 important elements to the event this year in order for it to be successful:
-Participating restaurants-Buffalo Wild Wings, Sugarfire, Trainwreck, Grace Meet and Three, Joey B’s Manchester, Edgewild Restaurant and Winery, The Midwestern, Rock & Brews, and Syberg’s (Visit and support these restaurants during this challenging time).
-Sponsors ($22,000 confirmed to date)
-Past attendees and the public (donate, engage, support restuarants, and tune in on October 1st)
-Facebook Live (Judges Wing Tasting)
-Social Media (Utilizing to promote, ask for donations and share the UCPH story)
A great way for all of our employees to engage in this year’s unique Wing Ding event is follow, share and like our social media announcements leading up to the event. Also, I encourage you to tune-in on October 1st at 6:00 p.m. and do the same throughout the event. Thanks in advance of your support of keeping Wing Ding 2020 alive.
Quote for the Week
“September 11, 2001, revealed heroism in ordinary people who might have gone through their lives never called upon to demonstrate the extent of their courage.” – Geraldine Brooks
As always, thank you for everything you do for the people and families we are honored to serve!!!
Sincerely,
Clint