UR Community Cares – Highlights from our Manchester Activities in April, May, and June
UR Community Cares (UCC) continues to deepen its impact in Manchester through community-driven programs, partnerships, and outreach, made possible with the support of the Town of Manchester. Here’s a look at how we’ve worked together this past quarter to support the residents, especially older adults and people with disabilities.
Program Highlights
Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Manchester
We enrolled 6 new community members and 5 new volunteers this quarter, bringing our Manchester totals to 131 residents and 117 volunteers engaged. Over 40 deeds were completed, including transportation, household help, and virtual visits—reaching a grand total of 1,300+ deeds performed since our 2019 launch!
UR Community Tech Center
We hosted 12 classes and each month we offer tech support on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with volunteers actively engaged in helping their peers. We had community-building events featuring authors, mental health advocates, and local organizations. We also planted 10 community garden beds and began a collaborative planning committee with the Leisure, Family, and Recreation Department for Summer 2026.
UR Vision Resources
We hosted and planned multiple events to support people with low vision and blindness. We partnered on an Eye Health Fair in New Britain, participated in CT Elder Justice Coalition and attended a Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind event, and facilitated monthly Blind & Low Vision Support Group meetings. Families visited by appointment to discuss and demo accessible devices.
Cycling Without Age Manchester
UCC trained volunteer rickshaw pilots and partnered with Touchpoints and MARC Inc. to provide seniors and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to get outside, socialize, and enjoy a ride—bringing smiles and reducing isolation. Helping to plan the Spin Fest event at Charter Oak Park in October.
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Community Engagement
Attended events by the Manchester Chamber, and Recreation Department, and collaborated with churches to better serve the community.
Received referrals from CT VOAD, CT 211, and Unite Us for statewide support.
Presented to Manchester Human Services and met regularly with advisory board members.
We also hosted a lively spring Graffiti Battle fundraiser featuring UConn’s A Cappella group, Senator Rahman, Poet Laureate Nadia Sims, and more. And—exciting news—UConn Magazine featured us in their summer edition!
Workforce & Volunteer Development
- Hosted American Job Center and MaturityWorks subsidized trainees
- Partnered with CTReady for high school interns
- Volunteer-led website updates are underway with plans to enhance functionality
Thanks to support from foundations like the William Foulds Family Foundation, American Savings Foundation, and Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG), we’re expanding programs like Empowering Seniors with Technology and UR Vision Resources.
Thank You, Manchester
From growing tech education access to improving inclusion for people with vision loss, UR Community Cares is proud to serve and strengthen the Manchester community. Thank you to our funders, volunteers, and town partners for continuing to believe in a connected, caring future.
For more updates, volunteer opportunities, or to support our mission, visit www.URCommunityCares.org,
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director
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©2025 UR Community Cares, Inc. | 153 Spruce Street, Manchester, CT |
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