Category: Uncategorized
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A Volunteer’s Story of Friendship
Gail is a retired nurse who wanted to volunteer to help an older resident stay independent at home, and that is exactly what she has been doing since September 2021. Her journey with Stella is one that has spanned years and multiple addresses. As a volunteer, she has had the privilege of being a small,…
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The Sounds of Change: When Construction Inspires Community
There’s something powerful about the sound of construction in a neighborhood. The steady beat of a hammer, the buzz of a saw, the unrelenting roar of a jackhammer, these aren’t just noises. They’re signals of progress. They tell us something new is being built, something better is on the horizon. And maybe that’s a lesson for all of us.…
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What Becomes of the Brokenhearted? Creating Your Own Destiny…
Jimmy Ruffin’s timeless song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” speaks to something we’ve all felt at one point in our lives: heartbreak, loss, disappointment, and the question of what comes next. The truth is, every one of us has walked through hardship. We’ve faced moments that could have stopped us in our tracks. But the real…
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Manchester’s Veteran Banner Program
Meet Richard Zaremba, the heart behind the Manchester Veteran Banner Program, a beautiful tribute that honors local veterans by displaying personalized banners along Main Street. As a retired teacher and dedicated crossing guard, Richard saw a need to recognize the brave men and women who served our country, and he made it happen. Watch his inspiring…
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A Day in Stamford Filled with Accessibility, Inspiration…and a Proposal?
Today was one for the books. I had the pleasure of attending the Disability and Job Fair at UConn Stamford, a day dedicated to accessibility, resources, education, and real job opportunities. The City of Stamford and its partners deserve a standing ovation for pulling off such a thoughtful and well-organized event. I set up my table…
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Building Bridges Through Human Guide Training
Last week, on a bright day inside the rotunda at CT State Community College Manchester, something powerful happened. The space itself, a beautiful, welcoming setting, became the backdrop for an event that was more than just training. It was about understanding, connection, and creating a stronger, more compassionate community. Vendors came together to share resources and…
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A new place, beyond exercise, a Space for Connection, Creativity, and Community
Manchester has created a space where the air hums with energy, wheels spinning, boards rolling, laughter echoing off concrete. It’s a place where people from all walks of life gather, not to compete, but to create, to move, and to coexist. There’s no single path, no one “right way” forward, just a shared rhythm of…
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We Are Better Together – Hispanic Heritage Month
We Are Better Together Jessee Muñiz-Poland – Manchester Latino Affairs Council When I sat down with Jessee Muñiz-Poland, it didn’t take long to see the deep love she has for her family and her community. She lit up as she shared the story of how she met her husband, her beloved “ginger,” as she calls…
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Making New Friends with Shared Passion
Living Between Sound and Silence: The Experience of Uncorrectable Hearing Loss In August, I met with Matt Goncalves, Sr. Marketing Director of Innocaption, to discuss their services for people with hearing loss. Their technology is a game-changer for so many people across the world. A week later, I had the opportunity to Zoom with Janine…
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Inclusion Means More Than Words: Why Accessible Communication Matters
?Inclusion isn’t a buzzword; it’s a basic human need. For people who are Deaf, DeafBlind or hard-of-hearing, communication barriers can make everyday life more isolating than it needs to be. Whether it’s missing a punchline in a conversation, struggling to follow a lecture, or being left out of a group chat without captions, these small…
