Local Non-Profit That Connects Volunteers With Physically Disabled, Impaired

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

March 15, 2022

“UR Community Cares”, a local non-profit that connects volunteers with the physically disabled or impaired to assist them around the home, is holding a virtual “lunch and learn” program Wednesday.

The non-profit, founded by President Michelle Puzzo in 2019, currently works with more than 500 volunteers to provide assistance in more than 120 towns and cities across Connecticut.

The virtual discussion will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. Puzzo will discuss how “UR Community Cares” volunteers can sign-up to provide free help with housework, yard work, errands and local transportation.

Puzzo said that she was working as a physical therapist when she came up with the idea to found the nonprofit organization.

“I saw that patients needed more help at home and I ended up becoming more like a caregiver,” she said. “There are more and more people who cannot pay for private caregivers. I thought - what if I could find a way to connect people that want to help with those that need it?”

“UR Community Cares” was founded in Feb. 2019 and their website went up in June of that year, six months before the covid-19 pandemic. However, Puzzo said, while many private caregivers saw a large drop in staff, the pandemic also helped people to better recognize the need to help support their neighbors.

“10,000 people are turning 65 every say,” said Puzzo. “In 5 or so years, this is going to be a big issue. A lot of civic organizations are also aging out. We need young blood to step up to serve our residents in need.”

Fortunately, Puzzo said, a lot of people have stepped up to lend a hand through “UR Community Cares.”

“It feels really great to see that,” she said. “I am so grateful for all of the volunteers who have stepped up. I have one volunteer who has provided more than 150 hours of assistance. When you consider that many private caregivers charge $30 an hour, that is saving people a lot of money. I have a lot of community members contact me and tell me how grateful they are for the help.”

Through the “UR Community Cares” website, participants can put out a request for something they need assistance with. Volunteers can then connect with them on a first-come, first-served basis.

“They can’t do any licensed work, but they can help with things like yard work, gardening, organizing and cleaning,” said Puzzo. “This sort of assistance can help people with mobility issues continue to remain independent.”

Puzzo said that “UR Community Cares” has received grant support from more than 16 organizations, including the Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation. These grants, she said, allow them to continue to offer assistance free of charge.

For more information on “UR Community Cares”, call Puzzo at 860-430-4557 or visit urcommunitycares.org.

People can visit the website to register to receive a Zoom link for the program. They can also register as a volunteer. All participants will be background-checked.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.