UR Community Cares

Explore Our Programs

Welcome to UR Community Cares.

We connect compassionate volunteers with older adults and people with disabilities who need support, helping to strengthen communities and improve lives across Connecticut. Whether you need help or want to assist a neighbor, we make it easy to get involved.

Through our programs, you can create meaningful change right in your own community. Every act of kindness helps build a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive network of care.

At UR Community Cares, we believe that supporting one another is the foundation of a healthy community. Join us in helping Connecticut residents remain independent, engaged, and connected.

VOLUNTEER IN ANY OF OUR PROGRAMS

Volunteer in one of our programs, volunteer behind the scenes, or donate to help us grow!

Image of the Tech Center with a photo of Donna speaking to the class attendees.
UR Community Cares Tech Center
Image of Cycling Without Age Manchester program.
Cycling Without Age Manchester
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
UR Vision Resources program has a Vision Station with screen readers, smart glasses, magnifiers, etc.
UR Vision Resources
The town of Manchester logo

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We gratefully thank the following organizations for their support of UR Community Cares and their investment in older adults and people with disabilities across Connecticut.

If your town or state would like to partner with us to support your residents, please call us at 860-430-4557.

Our Story

In 2019, physical therapist Michelle Puzzo saw a gap that couldn’t be ignored. Many of her patients needed help at home but couldn’t afford paid assistance and didn’t qualify for state programs. She realized that with the right connections, caring neighbors could volunteer their time to help older adults and people with disabilities right in their own community.

Drawing on her medical background, Michelle understood the challenges people face as they begin to experience declining physical or cognitive abilities and she decided to take action. Her solution was innovative for its time: create a digital platform to match those in need with local volunteers eager to lend a hand.

What began as one woman’s vision has grown into a community-driven nonprofit supported by:

  • Pro bono professionals
  • Trainees from MaturityWorks and the American Job Center
  • Interns
  • A dedicated and growing Board of Directors and advisors

Today, UR Community Cares continues to expand its programs, build partnerships, and bring neighbors together, proving that when communities connect, everyone thrives.

Click here to read our Featured article in
UConn Magazine’s Summer Edition 2025
Cover photo for the UR Community Cares article in the UConn magazine summer edition. “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” —Fred Rogers In Mister Rogers’ view, Michelle (Bussiere) Puzzo ’98 (SAH) is a hero.

Watch Our Latest TV Programs

UR Community Reach is our latest program produced at Cox Community TV in Manchester, which can be watched by clicking this link: COX Public Access Channel 15 – Manchester

UR Community Cares TV programs produced at Valley Shore Community TV in Westbrook can be watched by clicking this link: Valley Shore Community Television (cablecast.tv)

If you would like to be featured on our program, please contact us at 860-430-4557.

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Latest Updates

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  • Your Legacy: What Will You Leave Behind?

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