Frequently Asked Questions

Our two founders, Michelle Puzzo and M.D. Birmingham, launched UR Community Cares in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Based in Manchester, Conn., we quickly expanded to nearly 40 towns in early 2020 and our goal is to be in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns by year-end. Using our secure online technology, Community Members (age 70+ or age 18+ if physically disabled) in need of at-home assistance are linked with local Volunteers (parental consent and supervision required if age 15-17). Community Deeds are offered in three categories: housework, yard work and companionship. (We do not provide any licensed work. Participants must agree to terms and conditions, privacy policy, user policy and procedure.) By offering this support at no charge, we fill in the gaps of traditional home care and family member support. Our goal is to link people who can help to those who need help – whether it’s for one hour per week or month or year – because UR COMMUNITY CARES.

SSNs are a requirement* because we perform background checks on all site users prior to being approved in our system. Once the website user is verified into our digital platform, only the last three digits are visible; all other numbers are blocked and appear as an “X.” For Volunteers and Community Members who are verified users of our site, only the last three digits of your SSN will appear in your individual profile (for confirmation purposes). For Partners that create a business profile on our site (for group enrollments), only their Lead Contact is authorized to enroll others using their SSNs. This person acts on behalf of their business/organization for people who do not have access to the internet. * We accept Volunteers starting at age 15; however, 15-17 years-olds are not background-checked and therefore do not enroll online with SSNs. Parental content and adult supervision are required.

To help ensure safety and security, all Volunteers and Community Members must be enrolled online and complete a brief questionnaire. All persons age 18+ must pass a background check (social security number required). Volunteers age 15-17 must have parental consent and visit supervision.

UR Community Cares is fully insured at the recommended level of coverage for an organization of our size and scope.

Our website utilizes advanced security protections, encryption technology and other measures to safeguard data and operations.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to enroll as a Volunteer.

• Under the Sign In Button on that page, click the link for: Don't have account? Sign Up Now
• Please upload a picture of yourself; it needs to clearly show your face and be easily recognizable to others
• Choose user type
• Fill out the requested information; if something does not apply to you, type in “NA”
• Answer questions
• Enter location for map
• Please read and check the box once you have reviewed and agree to the Terms & conditions, Privacy policy, and Policy & procedure provided on our website

Follow these step-by-step instructions to enroll yourself or someone you care about who may need computer assistance. These steps are for Community Members who have not enrolled previously.

• Click Sign In Button
• Under the Sign In Button on that page, click the link for: Don't have account? Sign Up Now
• Please upload a picture of yourself; it needs to clearly show your face and be easily recognizable to others
• Choose user type
• Fill out the requested information; if something does not apply to you, type in “NA”
• Enter location for map
• Please read and check the box once you have reviewed and agree to the Terms & conditions, Privacy policy, and Policy & procedure provided on our website

A Business Partner is our term for a group or organization that has one person (or team) authorized to enroll multiple numbers of Volunteers and/or Community Members. For example, a town department of social workers or a healthcare organization can create one secure account and then enroll multiple clients as Community Members; this is more efficient than having to do individual enrollments. Community Members are background checked but Volunteers going in a group are not.
Follow these steps to enroll as a Business Partner.

• Go to the Partners page; click on Become our Partner in the Community Member section
• Fill out the requested information for your organization and for the lead contact person ; if something does not apply, type in “NA”
• Enter location for map
• Please read and check the box once you have reviewed and agree to the Terms & conditions, Privacy policy, and Policy & procedure provided on our website
• The Business Partner will be notified once accepted or denied into the platform

All participants – Volunteers, Community Members and Business Partners – are invited to use our services at no charge. We ask everyone to please consider making a small online donation – as little as $1 per year or a recurring amount – to keep UCC operating at no cost to participants and accessible to all. When you donate, you’re helping us connect more people, safely and securely, in UR Community.

Absolutely. Because we have no paid employees, every donation goes toward operating expenses. We are 100% volunteer-based and 100% donor funded. We are collaborating with businesses and offer online sponsorship opportunities in various positions on our website. Geographic targeting is available by town or statewide visibility. Please go to the Donate section on our website for more information.

UPDATE: We have an immediate need for individuals with finance/accounting backgrounds.
Members of our Board of Directors believe in our mission and understand the challenges of a start-up organization that is 100% volunteer-based and donation-funded. Time commitment consists of attendance at monthly Board meetings plus approximately four additional hours per month to proactively support UCC. Board members also lead or participate in committees as needed, including but not limited to: fundraising, finance, governance, Board development, donor relations and social media/events.
Members of UCC’s Advisory Board and our Hometown Heroes also may attend monthly Board meetings.

New and prospective Board members will receive standard letters of agreement for signature. Contact Michelle Puzzo for details.

Our organization chart as of March 2020 is posted in the Updates section of our website.

The role of the Advisory Board is to provide additional subject matter expertise and business acumen to support the Board of Directors. The level of time commitment to serve on the Advisory Board varies widely based on individual availability and project needs. Contact Michelle Puzzo for details.

Michelle Puzzo will provide details as appropriate on financial matters and general business operations.