UR Community Cares – Executive Director

Michelle Puzzo, founder and Executive Director of UR Community Cares, has always been driven by a passion for helping others. As a licensed physical therapist, she spent years working one-on-one with patients, helping them recover, regain strength, and improve their quality of life. But over time, Michelle began to see a deeper need—a need for connection, compassion, and community support beyond the clinical setting.

In 2019, she made the bold decision to step away from her physical therapy career to fully dedicate herself to building UR Community Cares, a nonprofit focused on helping older adults and people with disabilities remain safely in their homes through neighborly support, technology access, and inclusive programming.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Michelle shares. “I loved physical therapy, but I saw a bigger opportunity to make an impact—one that could reach hundreds, even thousands of people.”

Under her leadership, UR Community Cares has grown rapidly, launching innovative programs like UR Community Tech Center, Cycling Without Age, the UR Vision Center for those with visual impairments, and intergenerational volunteering that strengthens the entire community. Her focus on education, kindness, and empowerment has touched the lives of so many—both the individuals receiving help and the volunteers giving it.

Michelle often says, “Helping people, spreading kindness, and creating opportunities to learn and grow—there’s nothing more fulfilling than that.” Her commitment is not just professional; it’s deeply personal. She brings warmth, creativity, and unwavering perseverance to everything she does, making UR Community Cares a true reflection of her values.

The impact of her dedication is clear: more people feel connected, supported, and seen—because one woman chose to follow her heart and create something that brings out the best in all of us.