United Cerebral Palsy of Greater
Chicago was incorporated on February 6, 1951. The goal of
the new non-profit, human services agency was to improve the
quality of life for people affected with cerebral palsy and
for their families.
In UCP Chicago's first year, the
Board of Directors was a small group, headed by founder and
first president Hanna (Mrs. Herbert) Lissner. There were two
staff members; expenditures for programs and services amounted
to $289.91.
Distinguished conductor and composer
Leonard Bernstein (left in photo) and the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra starred in the UCP Chicago Women's Committee 1967
benefit, "Command Performance." Here, Bernstein chats with
committee members Mrs. Julius (Betty) Levinson (center) and
Mrs. Joseph Meyer at the pre-benefit reception.
Mrs. Richard J. "Sis" Daley (on
right in photo), First Lady of Chicago, encourages young Joan
Geggenheimer to use the walking bars at UCP's Child Development
Center as Mrs. Arthur Weiss, chair of the UCP Chicago Women's
Committee, looks on in this vintage photo from the 1967-68
UCP Chicago Annual Report.
The year was 1952 and UCP Chicago raised $400,000
at its first telethon. Telethon hosts included (left to right)
Jim Moran "The Courtesy Man," celebrity auto dealer; Irv Kupcinet,
Chicago columnist and broadcast personality; and comedian
Bob Hope, then, and forever, an American classic.
Today, UCP Chicago is led by a large Board
of Directors, influential community leaders who unselfishly give their personal time as volunteers. This board is complemented
by a very active Women's Board, whose mission has been critical to the success of the agency, particularly UCP's programs for childen and families.
A wide range of programs and services for people with cerebral
palsy and all types of developmental disabilities, including disabilities associated
with aging, are offered by a professional
staff, at seven
UCP locations.
In Fiscal 2005, expenditures for programs and services to people
with disabilities exceeded $8.1 million, with more than 88 percent of the money UCP spent that year to fulfill its mission in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane Counties.
