UR Community Cares – Grandparents Letter Connection
A Grandparent Letter
I didn’t know my paternal grandmother as she died before I was born. I guess she got tired after having nine kids!
My mom never lived with her mother; she was raised by her aunt (not a very pleasant life). I met her mother once; she lived in Boston and was a matron in hotels. We (my sisters) don’t think she was married at the time she had my mom. My parents were notified at the time of her death, went to Boston, and handled her situation.
Anyway, I’m so happy for you and your sisters to have such a long and loving relationship with your grandmother. I love being a grandmother.
Love,
Paula C.
Community Connections
Time is our most precious resource; once it’s gone, we can’t get it back. Over the past 20 years as a physical therapist and the last 6 years building UR Community Cares, I’ve learned that while there are countless ways to uplift younger generations, it’s our older adults who are quietly calling out for connection, compassion, and care. Now is the time to answer that call.
Around the world, and in Connecticut, seniors are struggling to remain independent at home; they want to stay where they are, but often just need a little extra support to do so. Our Neighbors Helping Neighbors program allows background-checked volunteers to fill in the gaps, help out when they can.
Our UR Community Tech Center provides a welcoming “third place”, a space outside of home, work, or school, where people can socialize, learn about technology, and join in on fun community events.
This is the heart of our operations. As a statewide organization, we’re rooted in Connecticut, but the need is so great, we’re now working to expand beyond state lines to bring our mission to even more communities.
We have our UR Vision Resources and office in the same building in partnership with the Town of Manchester, so if you want to volunteer in any program in person or behind the scenes, you can go to our website and sign up.
This Thursday, we welcome you to join our August Monthly Social, where you can hear from our guest speakers:
EVENT: August 2025 Social Mixer – “Learning and Teaching”
•Thursday, August 28 – 1:00 to 2:30pm
•Description: It’s never too late to learn, teach and mentor; bring a friend and share your experiences; enjoy tasty treats to wrap up summer
GUEST PRESENTERS:
•Tammy Gowash, Association of Retired Teachers of Conn.
•Kimberly Forbes, Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN)
•Kyle Anderson, Greater Hartford Kappa League
LOCATION/PARKING INFORMATION:
•We are at 153 Spruce St. (Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center) in Manchester, CT – Entrance is on Florence St.
•Parking is either on Florence St. or one block away in the public lot at the corner of Spruce St. and Birch St. (Use caution crossing the street.)
Come connect, get involved, and see how you can make a difference in the lives of older adults. Every social we have time for people to gather, talk, and also hear some excellent information about a variety of topics.
I’ll never forget visiting a woman who hadn’t had a meaningful conversation in weeks. The moment she felt truly seen and heard, her eyes lit up, and that simple connection spoke volumes. Experiences like hers, and countless others I’ve had with my patients, have stayed with me. It’s the people we don’t see, the ones behind closed doors and quiet windows, living in isolation, who need us most. They’re often overlooked, yet they carry stories, wisdom, and a deep longing for connection. Now is the time to show up for them, with compassion, presence, and purpose.
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director, UR Community Cares
860-430-4557
Leave a Reply