Thank You, UConn Magazine — Honored to Be Featured
We are honored and deeply grateful to UConn Magazine for shining a spotlight on the mission, heart, and real-world impact of UR Community Cares in their powerful feature on our founder and executive director, Michelle (Bussiere) Puzzo ’98 (SAH).
The story, grounded in the words of the late Fred Rogers —
“Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
— beautifully captures Michelle’s journey from physical therapist to full-time nonprofit leader, and her relentless drive to serve those who are so often overlooked: older adults and people with disabilities.
From helping her grandmother age with dignity to launching a statewide platform powered by thousands of volunteers, Michelle’s work is about more than filling gaps in the system — it’s about creating community where it’s been lost, and ensuring that aging, disability, or limited income are not barriers to connection, safety, and purpose.
The article showcases the real people who make this mission matter:
Frank, a veteran who found connection and care after a house fire through UR Community Cares
Kristen, a legally blind former art teacher who now helps lead our low vision support group
The 950+ volunteers who have given their time and hearts to help neighbors across 150 towns
And Michelle herself — a mother, advocate, and relentless force for good
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To have our story told by UConn — Michelle’s alma mater — makes this even more meaningful. This is the same institution that helped shape her commitment to health and service, and we’re so proud to see her work recognized among fellow Huskies making a difference in the world.
To the UConn Magazine team: thank you for believing that this story matters. Thank you for helping us amplify the message that aging is not a problem — isolation is. And thank you for reminding us that sometimes, all it takes to create lasting change is one person who sees the need and chooses to respond.
If you haven’t read the article yet, we encourage you to check it out and share it with someone who believes in building stronger, more compassionate communities.
UConn Alumni will see it in their mailbox next week and you can also click here to read the full article:
https://magazine.uconn.edu/2025/06/05/the-good-neighbor/
With heartfelt thanks,
The UR Community Cares Team
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©2025 UR Community Cares, Inc. | 153 Spruce Street, Manchester, CT |
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