Help for All: UPC Heartland

In 1953, a group of parents founded United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Heartland to provide supportive programs and services for people and families living with the developmental disability. Now celebrating its 65th year of service to St. Louis and eastern Missouri, the nonprofit is committed to providing hope, help and progress to the population it serves.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five Americans is currently living with a disability, making it one of the largest minority populations in the nation. More than 65 percent of UCP Heartland’s program participants deal with intellectual and physical disabilities other than cerebral palsy like autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome and traumatic brain injuries. The organization’s goal is to help people of all ages with all disabilities find a path to sustainability and independence. “It’s a privilege to help families and individuals,” CEO Brenda Wrench says. “They inspire us every day with their strength, fortitude and humor in the face of challenges that would bring many of us to our knees.” She notes that the needs of these individuals often exceed the resources available, and it can be a lengthy process to get assistance like Medicaid.

UCP Heartland’s five programs focus on life skills, community interaction, residential living, education and employment. “There’s something to help people at all different stages in their lives,” says Kathleen Beach, vice president of marketing and communications. The programs support individuals of all ages and abilities, including camps for kids, adult day care, and residential and employment support. Beach notes that the organization’s respite services are unlike any other family support offered in St. Louis. The program allows caretakers to register for scheduled care from highly skilled personnel, so they can find temporary relief from the daily stresses of caring for loved ones with disabilities. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and emergency care is available if the need arises.

Beach says UCP Heartland offers countless volunteer opportunities to work with a variety of participants, and there are paid, seasonal positions for students through SWEP (Summer Work Experience Program). SWEP coaches work with teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities to help them develop employment and life skills.

The nonprofit is excited to continue to grow and expand, according to Beach. In June, a new center will open in Jefferson City to bring UCP Heartland programs to underserved populations in central Missouri. Locally, Beach notes that there have been several advances the organization is excited to adopt, such as eye gaze technology. It allows people who have difficulty communicating to use their eyes to type messages or select pre-programmed phrases. UCP Heartland also has invested in a fleet of fully-equipped vans. “One of our big goals is to bring people out into the community, and transportation is a big part of that,” Beach says.

While UCP Heartland is evolving, Wrench says the community can expect it to continue to offer the best services possible. “We’ve already invested in the systems and upgrades that will be required to meet upcoming changes in health care delivery,” she notes. “We are excited to retain our status as a provider of choice.”

For 65 years, UCP Heartland’s programs have helped people and families living with disabilities work toward sustainability and independence. Pictured on the cover: Youth camp participant Evy, adult day program participant Vincent, Adult Day Services director Luke Leidenfrost. For more information, call 314.227.6030 or visit upcheartland.org. 

Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Petyon Photography

Pictured above: Children in the early childhood center enjoy Pirate Week.