More Than a Job: A Day in the Life of Michelle Puzzo

By Shatoya Simmons, Goodwin University Intern, Human Services Major

If you spend even half a day with Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director, UR Community Cares, you quickly realize—this isn’t just a job for her. It’s a mission. It’s a lifestyle. It’s her heart’s work.

On a cool spring morning, I had the chance to ride shotgun in Michelle’s world. And let me tell you, it’s a world fueled by passion, connection, and a fierce drive to make sure no one, especially those living with disabilities, is left on the sidelines.

Our first stop? Picking up Kristin, a visually impaired community member, along with her trusted service dog, Winnie. They were headed to an event at Bradley International Airport, where the latest in accessibility tech—GoodMaps—was being demoed. This app promises to transform how visually impaired travelers move through complex spaces like airports, offering turn-by-turn spoken directions and alerts.

But if you thought Michelle was just the driver that day, you’d be mistaken. She was the connector. The encourager. The bridge.

Conversations That Matter

Michelle and Kristin didn’t waste a minute on the way to the airport. Their conversation moved seamlessly from Meta Smart Glasses and AIRA apps to the emotional reality of navigating a world built for the sighted. Kristin opened up about her struggles—how technology sometimes feels more exhausting than helpful, and how losing your vision after years of having it hits differently.

Michelle didn’t just listen. She engaged. She related the conversation back to her mission at UR Community Cares, always thinking about how to make services feel less like charity and more like empowerment.

She shared about her upcoming Graffiti Battle event, where art would become a language of advocacy. Kristin smiled. Even though their journeys were different, they both understood the power of creative expression.

On the Ground at Bradley: Advocacy in Action

At the airport, the energy shifted. Michelle was in her element, greeting Melissa from Independence Unlimited and David from BESB (Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind)—an orientation and mobility instructor, who helps people like Kristin.

It wasn’t about standing on the sidelines observing. Michelle was side by side with Kristin, making sure she had what she needed, while also letting her lead her own experience. Whether it was ensuring Winnie had space or coaching others on how to respectfully engage with service dog teams, Michelle moved through the event like a quiet storm of advocacy and respect.

And Kristin? She owned the spotlight, delivering an interview with Telemundo, and she was eager to catch the replay on TV later. Winnie even made a few fans herself.

Pizza, Emails, and Unexpected Wins

You’d think after a full morning, Michelle might slow down. Nope.

On the way back to the office, Michelle picked up pizza for the crew (because
community work is better with snacks), waiting back at headquarters in Manchester were volunteers, interns, and trainees who are prepping for the Graffiti Battle and overseeing UR Community Tech Center. She still found time to scan her overflowing email inbox.

It’s in these quiet moments that you see the behind-the-scenes hustle most people miss. Between bites of pizza and prepping for the afternoon tech class she was about to teach, Michelle got some news—a grant opportunity to fund more services for the visually impaired community.

Did she jump up and down? Nope. She smiled cheerfully. She told me how even the smallest to the largest grants feel like big wins, always looking for steps forward.

That’s how Michelle moves. With gratitude for the little things. With purpose in the chaos. And with a never-ending commitment to people like Kristin.

More Than Programs, It’s Personal

At the heart of all this hustle is UR Community Cares, the nonprofit Michelle founded to bridge the gaps others ignore— connecting older adults and people with disabilities to volunteers, tech support, educational resources, recreational opportunities and community champions.

Michelle isn’t just running programs. She’s running a movement.

• UR Community Cares website connect links volunteers to older adults and people with disabilities for home-based tasks and companionship.

• UR Community Tech Center is creating Savvy Seniors helps folks embrace technology, from Zoom calls to telehealth appointments.

• UR Vision Resources program puts critical vision resources at people’s fingertips— accessible and easy.

• UR Volunteer Champions train the next generation of advocates, blending youthful energy with old-school service.

But when you ride with Michelle, you learn quick—it’s not about the programs. It’s about the people.

The Michelle Effect

By the end of the day, I wasn’t just observing Michelle Puzzo.

I was witnessing what happens when advocacy meets action. What leadership
looks like when picking up pizza, or sitting in the back of the room to cheer on your client, or finding joy in an email reply most would delete.

Michelle’s world is loud, messy, beautiful, and fueled by heart.
And if you ever get the chance to step into it? You won’t see community care the same way again.

Kristin’s Story — From Teacher to Advocate

Kristin’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and reclaiming purpose. A lifelong art teacher with over 32 years of experience, Kristin dedicated her career to nurturing creativity in others. But life took a challenging turn when she began to lose her vision. She candidly shared how frustrating it was to navigate this new reality, not only losing her ability to see but also having to reframe her artwork and identity as an artist.

Even through the frustration, Kristin’s love for teaching never wavered. She realized, with the support of her counselor, that her gift of teaching wasn’t limited to sight—it lived within her knowledge, her words, and her spirit. Now, she embraces a new chapter as a mentor, advocate, and public speaker.

At the airport event, she shined during her interview with Telemundo, proudly sharing her story and the importance of accessible environments. She’s also working alongside UR Community Cares, continuing to break down barriers, speak up for others, and prove that while she may have lost part of her sight, she never lost her vision for making an impact.

More Than a Job—It’s a Bond

As I sat back and watched Michelle and Kristin move through the day together,
something clicked. This wasn’t just a director supporting a client at an event. It felt more like watching two old friends—comfortable in each other’s space, laughing over pizza, comparing notes, sharing frustrations, and celebrating each other’s wins.

Whether it was Michelle introducing Kristin to new faces in the crowd or Kristin reminding Michelle to savor her own successes, the energy between them was effortless. They didn’t just attend an event; they experienced it together, each gathering pieces of information, trading insights, and encouraging one another when small victories unfolded. Michelle celebrated Kristin’s TV interview like a proud sister, and Kristin reminded Michelle to own her moment when the email reply came through.

It was beautiful to witness—not as a formal workday, but as a reflection of what UR Community Cares UR Community Cares is really about: connection, partnership, and genuine human bonds that go far beyond programs or job titles.

By the end of the day, I realized Michelle doesn’t just lead a nonprofit.
She creates spaces where people can feel seen, valued, and empowered—including herself.

Throughout my internship with UR Community Cares, I will continue to report the good work that is being done. Remember to make today a good day,

Toya

860-430-4557

info@urcommunitycares.org