On Monday, October 24th UCP of Eastern Connecticut held our Annual Meeting at Quaker Hill.  It was a time to honor staff, clients, board members, and community supporters, as well as highlight the agency's accomplishments throughout the year.  Among one of our major accomplishments was the complete renovation of our Old Saybrook Day Program where we hosted a recent open house on October 20th.

     Pictured above is Elizabeth Kelly, the recipient of this year's Nathaniel Bennett Award.  The Nathaniel Bennett Award is given each year at our annual meeting to an individual with a disability living in New London County who serves as a significant role model to individuals with or without a disability.  Elizabeth always has a smile for everyone she meets, is very organized, and has always been a fierce advocate for herself in her life.  She has worked at Stop & Shop and most recently found a new job at Puffin's.  She is active and conscientious of her health.  She currently works out at the gym and has even tackled Zumba classes!  Religion is also important to Elizabeth and she will be starting confirmation classes at St. Agnes Church soon.  To sum-up Elizabeth's personality, "She decides what she wants and then makes it happen!"  The day Elizabeth received her award was also her 31st Birthday.  The Southeastern Connecticut region is lucky to have such an upbeat, integral individual like Elizabeth Kelly living in our community!

     We also had a "surprise" celebration honoring Pat Mansfield's retirement at our meeting.  Pat, our current Co-Executive Director, will be retiring on November 4th after 10 years of service.  For the past 25 years, Pat has served in other community provider agencies, with DDS, and CCPA.  Co-workers who had the privilege of working with Pat in the past spoke of their experiences and congratulated Pat on her retirement.  Pat will be greatly missed at UCP.  The contributions she has made to make UCP a solid agency providing vital services to promote independence and full citizenship for people with disabilities will live on far into the future.