The Pulse: Capturing the Heartbeat of UCP of West Alabama

January 2026

Everyone Deserves a Life Without Limits

Together, We Make Every Ability Possible

At UCP of West Alabama, we’re writing to you — the friends, supporters, and neighbors who believe that everyone deserves the chance to live a life without limits. You’re the reason children learn to take their first steps, adults find meaningful jobs, and families feel the support they need to thrive.



Your involvement matters because it changes lives. Every donation, every hour volunteered, and every story you share helps open doors to independence, inclusion, and opportunity for more than 3,000 children and adults with disabilities across 15 counties in West Alabama.

Now we’re inviting you to take the next step with us. Make a gift, volunteer your time, or spread the word about our mission. Together, we can ensure that every person we serve has the chance to live, learn, work, and belong.

Growing to Better Serve Our Community

UCP of West Alabama is excited to share that we have expanded our administrative footprint with the addition of a new building located next door to our existing administrative offices. This additional space was needed to support the significant growth we have experienced over the past year—especially the launch of our Early Intervention program, which received 50 referrals in its very first month.

The expanded office space allows our team to better support families, strengthen coordination across programs, and ensure we have the infrastructure in place to meet increasing community needs.

We celebrated this milestone with an Open House and Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, December 2, hosted by the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. It was a meaningful moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look ahead to the impact this growth will have on the individuals and families we serve.



Thank you to our community partners, supporters, and families for making this growth possible. Together, we are building capacity—and opportunity—for people with disabilities across West Alabama.

Janie Clark: Tiny but Mighty!

Meet Janie Clark, one of the brightest little stars in UCP of West Alabama’s newly launched Early Intervention program. Janie will celebrate her first birthday on January 8, 2026, and her story is a beautiful reminder of resilience, hope, and the incredible impact Early Intervention can have on a child’s life.

Janie entered the world with a surprise diagnosis of Down syndrome and a serious congenital heart defect—Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. At just three weeks old, she underwent her first open-heart surgery. Complications followed, including cardiac arrest requiring ECMO, a brain bleed, and severe perfusion injuries that resulted in the loss of her right hand and several fingers and toes.

After nearly five months in the hospital, Janie was finally able to go home. Though she faced developmental delays and continued medical challenges, her spirit never wavered. She began Early Intervention at six months old, and that’s when her progress truly began to shine.

Through the support of her family and EI team, Janie has reached milestone after milestone. She has learned to hold her head up, roll from front to back and back again, use her “nubby” to explore the world around her, grasp and play with toys, and now—most impressively—sit independently without extra support. Every accomplishment is a celebration, and every step forward showcases her determination.

Today, Janie is happy, sassy, curious, and full of personality. She lights up every room she enters. Her journey is a powerful reflection of why Early Intervention matters and why UCP of West Alabama is committed to helping every child reach their fullest potential.

Janie is, and always will be, tiny but mighty.

A Moment of Meaning Beyond

the Hunt



This photo captures far more than a first deer—it captures love, legacy, and remembrance.

When Ian Terry harvested his first deer, he paused in a moment that spoke volumes. Looking up toward the sky, he quietly said, “This is for you, Grandpa.” It was a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather, Lane Hubbard, who passed away in 2017.



Ian’s Grandpa loved him deeply and often said, “I love him just the way God made him—he is perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.” That unconditional love is woven into this moment—felt in the pride, the gratitude, and the quiet connection that reaches across generations.

For Ian, this experience was about much more than a successful hunt. It was about honoring the man who helped shape him and sharing a moment that connected generations. In that simple upward glance was gratitude, pride, and a bond that time cannot erase.

This hunt was made possible through Big Dreams Outdoors, a program of UCP of West Alabama. Big Dreams Outdoors creates inclusive outdoor experiences that offer individuals opportunities for confidence, connection, healing, and joy—often in ways that go far beyond the activity itself.

Ian’s first deer will always be remembered not just for the harvest, but for the heart behind it. It is a powerful reminder that Big Dreams Outdoors is about more than time in the field—it’s about creating meaningful moments, honoring loved ones, and making memories that last a lifetime.

Grateful for the Heart

of UCP

There are moments when the true heart of UCP of West Alabama is on full display—and our recent staff appreciation gathering was one of them.

On this day, our team paused from the important, often demanding work we do every day to simply come together. Around shared tables and shared smiles, we celebrated the people who make UCP what it is: our dedicated, compassionate, hardworking employees.

Every role at UCP matters. Whether supporting individuals and families directly, coordinating services behind the scenes, or keeping our programs moving forward, each staff member brings care, patience, and commitment to their work. The impact of that dedication is felt daily by the people we serve—and it deserves to be honored.

This gathering was more than a meal. It was a moment of gratitude. A chance to say “thank you” for the early mornings, long days, problem-solving, advocacy, and genuine love our staff pours into this organization. It was a reminder that while our mission is about creating opportunities for people with disabilities, it is our people who bring that mission to life.



We are deeply thankful for our team. You are seen. You are valued. And you are the reason UCP of West Alabama continues to grow, serve, and make a difference in our community.

From all of us—thank you for being the heart of UCP.

Save the Date: Swing for a Cause

Mark your calendars for April 9, 2026 as UCP of West Alabama hosts the Swing for a Cause Golf Tournament benefiting Big Dreams Outdoors. With AM & PM flights, a $2,000 prize, and a mission rooted in supporting people with disabilities in living a life without limits, this is a day you won’t want to miss. Contact us at Bhauser@UCPWA.org to sign up!!!!