Celebrating New Career Paths: Healthcare Partnership with Manchester High
We are thrilled to announce a significant new initiative made possible by the generous funding from COX Charities. This collaboration allows us to partner directly with Manchester High School to create meaningful career learning opportunities for their students!
The enthusiasm from the high school has been incredible, and we are especially grateful for their support in providing transportation and actively encouraging students to attend these special events.
Our First Look into Healthcare Careers
The first program was a resounding success, offering students an intimate look into specialized medical fields. We were honored to host Dr. Lewis, a distinguished neurologist, and Amanda Horn, Social Worker, from the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center team at Hartford Healthcare.
The focus of the session was Parkinson’s Disease. Students didn’t just learn about the condition; they gained profound insight into the diverse career opportunities involved in treating patients and supporting their caregivers to improve quality of life. The presenters emphasized how healthcare is a team effort, requiring collaboration across multiple roles, from medicine to therapy to social work.
Dr. Lewis offered powerful guidance on the educational journey, sharing his perspective as an untraditional student. This message was a crucial takeaway for the Manchester High students: it offered them the grace to realize they have time to explore all the possibilities of careers as they begin to plan for college and their future.
Thank you to COX Charities, Manchester High School, and the incredible team at Hartford Healthcare for making this inspiring start possible!
PD Dr. Lewis
Honoring Service: Our 2nd Career Event for Veterans and Students
Following the inspiring launch of our career learning series, made possible by the incredible support of Cox Charities, we are thrilled to announce our second major event in collaboration with Manchester High School.
This time, we are pivoting our focus to community service and support systems for our veterans, offering students a unique perspective on public service careers and local resources.
Veteran’s Learning Event
Our second program is the Veterans’ Learning Event, taking place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Midwest Food Bank (440 Adams St., Manchester, CT).
Students will have the invaluable opportunity to hear directly from key figures in veteran support, including:
James Amaro, Chair of the Manchester Veteran Council and a VA employee.
Paul Scappaticci, Vice Chair of the Manchester Veterans Committee.
Natasha Randolph, MPH, LCSW from VA Connecticut.
Representatives from the Air Force and Marines.
Joel Cox, Assistant Town Manager, providing insight into local government support.
The event will also feature an overview of the Manchester Banner Program and a tour of the Midwest Food Bank, highlighting how community organizations work together to serve those who have served us.
Special Invitation to Manchester Veterans
We are honored to extend a special invitation to local Manchester Veterans to join us for this event. Your presence and perspective are deeply valued by the students and our community partners.
If you are a Manchester Veteran and would like to attend, registration is required.
Please contact us at 860-430-4557 to register your attendance for November 13th.
We are grateful to COX Charities for providing the funding that makes these powerful, educational connections between high school students and community leaders possible!
Watch for our other events aimed to inspire youth,
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director
860-430-4557
Leave a Reply