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M&T Bank Serves those Who Serve!
Meals for Military “Navigating the Holidays!” was a great success, with support from longstanding partners at M&T Bank. We hosted our 3rd Meals for Military event, funded by sponsor M&T Bank, and two M&T employees were proud to serve! Flora Pretashi and Jess Vicente. Thank you, M&T, for your generous sponsorship and for sharing your wonderful employees with our Easterseals veteran members.
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OPEN POSITIONS AT OUR EASTERSEALS! | |
Do you want to have a leading role at our life-changing Easterseals? Our organization is growing and we are launching critical, cutting edge services to our community. | |
Child Psychologist (FT or PT)
Department:
Medical Rehabilitation
View Job Listing: HERE
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View more open positions at our Easterseals HERE! | |
Our Easterseals expands Career Development Services for People with Disabilities in Region | |
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Julia Musgrove, a 26-year-old Gales Ferry resident with autism, is one of the first clients of Easterseals' Career Development program for individuals with disabilities in the New London region. Julia secured a part-time position at Cross Hall Galley at the Naval Submarine Base through our Easterseals' career development services. Our Easterseals, which partners with the state Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, is expanding its inclusive career development programs to New London County, offering services like work-readiness training, job shadowing, and job placement. Our aim is to build more partnerships with local businesses to create diverse employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, helping them achieve their career goals with adaptive support.
Read the full article, published in 'The Day' HERE
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Easterseals' Giving Tuesday Campaign 2024! | | |
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This year, our Easterseals Giving Season campaign runs from November through December to include both Giving Tuesday (December 3rd) and End-of-Year options for donors.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a national day of giving and a social movement established in 2012 as a way to begin the giving season. The Giving Tuesday movement encourages people to give back to charitable organizations.
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Giving Tuesday occurs annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In 2024, Giving Tuesday will be December 3, 2024, and our Easterseals “Giving Season” campaign extends to the end of the calendar year as many donors like to give during the Holiday season.
Josh’s journey with Easterseals is one of determination and progress. As a young boy with Down syndrome, communication was one of his biggest challenges. Josh struggled to express his needs, emotions, and even to say the names of those closest to him.
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Josh’s mom, Melanie was not going to give up and with the dedication to ongoing therapy, they found Easterseals. With the support of Easterseals speech therapists, Josh became more empowered to engage in the world. Slowly but surely, he learned to communicate more clearly and confidently.
For full story, click Here
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Do you want to empower more people with disabilities and be a resource for caregivers like Melanie? Donate to our Easterseals Giving Tuesday/End of Year
“Giving Season” Campaign today.
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Easterseals Annual Crystal Ball
Saturday, March 22, 2025
6:00-11:00pm
The Riverview, Simsbury, CT
Click HERE for more Info
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Empowering Independence:
Customized In-Home Support with Heart
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Areas of Support May Include:
★ Assistance with Daily Living: Bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, etc.
★ Assistance with Daily Activities: Shopping, cooking, meal prep, housekeeping, managing finances, etc.
★ Developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Medication administration, scheduling/attending medical appts., etc.
★ Facilitate good communication with friends & family, health care providers, etc.
★ Facilitate opportunities to participate in community-based activities and social events based on individual preference.
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Easterseals In-Home Supports is a residential service available to individuals residing in their own homes, or in their family homes, with the purpose of enabling them to live as independently as possible.
Easterseals is committed to serving the over 1 in 4 Americans with a disability, one of the largest underserved populations in the nation.
Because the program is person-centered, our In-Home Support Associates will provide guidance and mentorship in the areas most important, working with participants, family members and caregivers to develop and reach individual goals.
Email jmccarthy@escrec.org for more info.
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POP-UP Easterseals MERCH STORE! | |
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Get ready for the holiday season with our limited-time-only Easterseals Pop-Up Merch Store, open from December 1st to December 14th!
This exclusive shop offers branded clothing items that make the perfect gifts for friends, family, or yourself. Show your support for Easterseals and proudly amplify our mission with every purchase. These items don’t just look great—they send a powerful message that you are an advocate, ally, and champion of equality, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
Don’t miss this chance to support a great cause and spread holiday cheer in style—shop now while supplies last! Scan the QR code or click HERE
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Rebuilding Minds. Bodies. Lives.
Exclusively for Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
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Important Dates at Veterans Rally Point | |
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Dec. 14th: Wreaths Across America
Dec. 24th: Building closes at 2:00pm
Dec. 25th: Building CLOSED for Christmas Holiday
Dec. 31st: Building closes at 2:00pm
Jan. 1st: Building CLOSED for New Years Day
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Peer MeetUp: Join Us!
Peer Meetup is a weekly opportunity to connect and share personal stories and experiences with the Easterseals VRP community or listen to invited guest speakers on various topics. Held every Wednesday from 5pm-6:15pm in the VRP Community Room. No registration required.
If you’d like to bring a dessert or drink to share with the group, you are welcome to! Please come, listen and learn, and meet some new friends. Email Director of Military Services, Lori Marriott, HERE.
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Dec. 4th: Penny will present cherished family stories and photographs from her two great-uncles, offering a personal glimpse into their experiences during the Battle of Antietam in the Civil War.
Dec. 11th: Dr. Hong to share valuable insights and expertise on understanding and managing PTSD, fostering awareness and support within the community.
Dec. 18th: Chuck Ambulos will share fascinating stories and insights about life aboard submarines and their rich history, providing a unique perspective.
Dec. 25th: Building Closed for Holidays. No Peer MeetUp
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Meals for Military: Navigating the Holidays | |
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On November 21, 2024, Easterseals' Veterans Rally Point hosted a successful Meals for Military: Navigating the Holidays event, with 33 families of service members, veterans, and their loved ones attending.
These Meals for Military gatherings are designed to foster social connection, build camaraderie, and provide crucial resources and referrals for veterans and military families.
Representatives from M&T Bank provided guidance on managing finances during the holidays, focusing on avoiding scams, while Tom Shusterman, LCSW, offered tools for coping with holiday stress. The event aimed to foster social connection and camaraderie, with volunteers and staff preparing and serving meals to create a warm, supportive environment. Events like these embody our mission to uplift and empower veterans, showing them that they are part of a community that stands by them, not just during the holidays, but every day of the year. Check out more photos HERE
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Veterans Find Purpose in a Digital World at Any Age | | |
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VRP Digital Literacy In Review
Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut's Veterans Rally Point (VRP) Digital Literacy Program, supported by longstanding partner Comcast NBCUniversal, empowers veterans to navigate opportunities in a technology-driven world. Programs like the PWR Program (Professional Workforce Readiness), Computer 101, and Broadcasting Class provide veterans with critical skills and hands-on experience. Notably, the PWR Program has seen tremendous success, with four job seekers securing employment after just one course. Digital Media participants have gained real-world experience through internships and live broadcasting events like Mohegan Sun’s Vet’s Rock.
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As participant Willow Clauson shared: “The class has been immensely helpful in helping me translate my military training into civilian skills and terminology. Working on my résumé and learning specific programs have been tremendous assets. I am excited to apply for the position I desire, thanks to the newly updated résumé and the confidence I have gained.” Our shared mission to empower Veterans with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a digital world is incredibly important and inspiring. Together with Comcast NBCUniversal, Easterseals is creating impactful initiatives, fostering growth, and making a lasting difference in the lives of those who have given so much to this country.
To learn more about our goals for Digital Equity, email Ryan Landry at rlandry@escrec.org. Be on the lookout for 2025 registration info coming soon!
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If you or someone you know is having a Mental Health Crisis, please pass along these phone numbers:
National Veterans Crisis Line:
Dial 988, press 1 for Veterans
Text 838255
More Info click HERE
Vets4Warriors: Dial 1-855-838-8255
Someone is available right now to answer your call.
There is no time limit on the duration of your call.
There is no limit on the number of times you can call.
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VETS ROCK
The Easterseals Veterans Rally Point team proudly participated in the 10th Annual Vets Rock event at Mohegan Sun! The team joined hundreds of attendees to celebrate and support our active-duty military and veterans with a diverse range of resources empowering our veterans and active-duty military members with the tools they need to succeed.
Check out a video broadcast of the event HERE produced by VRP Broadcasting Co-Instructor & Board Member, Dave Stevens and members!
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Turkey Donations
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors who contributed 39 turkeys and all the sides to share with our Service Members, Veterans and families at VRP this holiday season.
Thanks to their kindness, many families in our community will have a warm and festive meal to enjoy together. This spirit of giving inspires us all to pay it forward and continue supporting one another.
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Friendsgiving
Easterseals staff and Adult Day Support participants came together for a heartwarming Friendsgiving this past week in East Hartford.
It was a special gathering where everyone shared a meal, expressed gratitude, and enjoyed each other's company in a festive and welcoming environment. The event highlighted the spirit of friendship and togetherness that defines the Easterseals community.
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December Trivia Question
Who started Giving Tuesday?
A) The American Red Cross
B) The Salvation Army
C) Henry Timms of the 92nd Street Y in NY
D) The Mary-Arrchie Theater Company in Chicago
Click HERE for the Answer
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News Channel 8 Visits VRP
This past month Easterseals Veterans Rally Point honored Veterans Day with a heartfelt ceremony, paying tribute to all who have served our country. We are proud to celebrate the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our veterans, service members, and their families.
Check out this article by WTNH which includes footage from News Channel 8 of the event HERE
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