"A community can be judged by how they treat the neediest in their group. We should be proud of how we've addressed the needs of people with disabilities in our community."

- Bob McGuire, Executive Director

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Bob’s Letter for Dec: Together we can ensure a better life.

I’m writing this message a few days after Congress and the President have signed off on the bailout and Governor Patterson has ordered New York State’s legislature to go back again and reduce expenses throughout the State. Clearly, we are living in troubled times and these difficulties will have rippling affects throughout our entire country. As anyone who has followed our agency’s history will know, it is evident that we would be concerned about how these decisions will impact on our ability to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Long after the dark days of Willowbrook and before the period when families were left, most often, to their own individual capabilities, we have come to expect a kind and generous country that recognizes its responsibilities to all citizens. That world is threatened now. Opportunities to be educated, work, recreate, live independently, have appropriate medical services, and reach one’s true potential, may be seriously limited or eliminated if we are not vigilant. This is the time to communicate with our representatives at every level of government reminding them of the results and benefits of their past decisions in which programs and services for individuals with disabilities were developed and grew to a mature service system. When you read the contents of Center Square, the myriad experiences and successes enjoyed by our participants and the growth of opportunities is quite evident. Please consider sending the Center Square to your representative(s) at the local, state and federal level to ensure that they understand the value of their support. You can get more copies by contacting the ucpn Development office, if needed. Thank you all for the contributions you have made to our organization. Over the 60 years of our existence, tens of thousands of children and adults with disabilities and their families have a better life because of you. Let’s make sure it continues.

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