From Employment to Empowerment, together we're building pathways across our Easterseals Community. | |
From Determination to Success:
Zach’s Employment Journey Shines
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We’re excited to celebrate a major milestone for Zach, one of our dedicated Career Development Services participants from Windsor, who recently hit his 90-day retention working in the deli department at Geissler’s Supermarket.
Zach’s journey with Easterseals began back in 2019. Over the years, he’s participated in several employment programs, each one bringing him closer to finding the right fit. Zach then began in our competitive placement opportunity program (CPO). Determined to secure a full-time role, Zach worked closely with Ben Rodriguez, in career services, on interview preparation—fine-tuning his skills and building confidence.
When an opportunity opened at Geissler’s, Zach was ready. He landed the position and quickly became a valued member of the deli team. What made the transition even smoother was the presence of Bruce, another Easterseals participant who had already been thriving at Geissler’s. Bruce took Zach under his wing, offering guidance and natural support as he adjusted to his new role.
Zach’s path included trying out a few different positions before finding one that truly matched his interests and strengths. His perseverance and openness to explore led him to a workplace where he feels confident and capable. Congratulations to Zach on this exciting achievement—and thank you to Geissler’s, Bruce, and our dedicated Career Development Services team for supporting his success!
| | | Around Easterseals: Highlights That Inspire | |
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Easterseals Staff Development Day
On October 13th, Easterseals team members across our Windsor, Norwich, and East Hartford facilities came together for a memorable Staff Development Day filled with learning, creativity, and meaningful connection. The day was designed to be interactive and engaging, with a focus on fostering collaboration and strengthening relationships across departments.
More details about the day HERE
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New! 12-Week Social Skills Group
SPARK (Social Practice and Relationship Knowledge) is a 12-week skills group for young adults ages 18–30 who want to strengthen their social and communication skills. Based on the PEERS® curriculum, SPARK helps members learn how to start and maintain conversations, make new friends, and cope with interpersonal stressors. Classes begin in November.
Learn more and/or Register: HERE
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Easterseals Annual Meeting
Help us to celebrate the remarkable achievements accomplished this year and the community partners and volunteers who support our work!
Event Info:
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 5-7pm
134 Norwood Road, West Hartford, CT 06117
RSVP today HERE
For more info, contact sgianetti@escrec.org
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Annual Easterseals Golf Tournament:
Connection, Community and Golfing for Good!
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On September 29, 2025, (22) sponsor companies and organizations, representing nearly (100) Easterseals golfers, and (14) event squad volunteers participated in our 47th annual Easterseals Golf Tournament at amazing Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, Rhode Island with pristine conditions, and ideal weather! Upon arrival, golfers secured drawing prize tickets for curated golf experiences. Before dinner, our family of golfers stepped up during the LIVE auction too! Our dedicated Golf Committee came together to ensure a memorable experience at one of Rhode Island’s finest courses and top tier course nationally. Thank you golf committee, for your ongoing support, ideas and engagement.
Thanks to our generous sponsors and donors, we exceeded our fundraising goals!
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, the Friars Golf Club, who continue to grow with us and to all our generous company sponsors who support our Easterseals mission of serving veterans and people with disabilities.
A special thank you to Dave Stevens who represented our Board of Directors, shared his impactful story, served as auctioneer, and also covered our annual event!
See Dave's video of this special day HERE
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Our 2025 Golf Planning Committee:
★ Wendy Archer
★ John Bermel
★ Judy Casperson
★ Mike Herlihy
★ John Jezowski
★ E. Merritt McDonough, Jr. (Chair)
★ Tom Mitchell
| | | We are truly grateful for our Event Squad volunteers and Easterseals staff who assisted on the day of the event and put all the pieces together! What a team! | |
Easterseals End of Year Giving Campaign
For many Veterans and their families, navigating the job market can be a daunting mission. For Amy Dudek, daughter of a Veteran, the path forward became clear and fulfilling thanks to the Power Program (Professional Workforce Readiness) class at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point (VRP). Today, Amy isn't just celebrating a new job; she's embracing her dream career, a testament to the powerful support system she found and the vital skills she gained.
“From the moment I walked into the class, I knew I was in a special place, it’s like my second home," Amy shares. Click HERE to read the full story!
Do you want to help more veterans and people with disabilities find meaningful employment?
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Our Easterseals is featured for going solar!
A new 218-kW solar array is powering the Deerfield facility of Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut. The project that included solar and lighting upgrades was financed through the Green Bank’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. Oxford, Connecticut-based Facility Solutions Group installed the system.
“We’re so grateful to the Connecticut Green Bank for a partnership that has allowed Easterseals to upgrade our facility with solar and smart lighting, helping us to operate more efficiently and sustainably,” said Robin Sharp, president and CEO of Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut. “And, the best part is that the savings and revenue we generate from these improvements will go right back into our community services, allowing us to further our mission.”
Solar Power World Article HERE
Global Renewable News Article HERE
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Easterseals Everywhere: A National Advertising Campaign to Build Awareness of Easterseals programs!
National Easterseals recently executed a very exciting media buy that has put Easterseals in homes, airports, and on laptops and phones across the country, and the timing could not be better. Easterseals’ 30-second spots will blanket several media mediums for the next few months to help increase giving and elevate public awareness among younger demographics.
Easterseals’ spots will appear in U.S. airports and in 500,000 hotels including Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Four Seasons, and Wyndham through February 8, 2026, delivering a minimum of 75M impressions in Q3/Q4 plus an estimated 9M hotel impressions.
Programming also includes NFL games, pre-game shows, and the Super Bowl! We will receive an additional run of network placements, some NBA games, and in-program integration opportunities.
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Annual Easterseals 5K Your Way: Freedom Stride was a Success!
Our annual Easterseals 5K Your Way: Freedom Stride was a success- and we have YOU to thank for it! Our participants, volunteers, supporters, staff, and friends came together in support of our mission and raised critical funds for Veterans and people with disabilities. Every mile, every donation, and every act of encouragement made an impact.
Check out the event video HERE
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SPIRIT WEEK at our Easterseals!
In October, our Easterseals staff and participants brought their A-Game to SPIRIT WEEK. Daily themes included Sports Day, Super Hero Day, Easterseals Orange, Breast Cancer Awareness PINK, and Halloween Costumes!
We’re proud to work alongside such a dedicated, fun-loving group who bring energy, creativity, and heart to every day. Pictured above is our East Hartford Adult Day Support crew, rocking their PINK gear! See more photos HERE
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VRP Accepts Donations for
Food Pantry
Easterseals Veterans Rally Point extends a sincere thank you, to both Norwich CT Lions Club and Dodd Stadium - Norwich, for their incredible food donations to our VRP Food Pantry.
These contributions help ensure that Service Members, Veterans, and their families have access to nourishing food and a little comfort when its needed most.
If you'd like to donate goods to our food pantry, please contact VRP at (860) 859-4148
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Rebuilding Minds. Bodies. Lives.
Exclusively for Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
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September Observances:
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National Suicide Prevention Month
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National Recovery Month
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November
Observances:
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Veterans Day (11/11)
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Nov. 8th: Coventry Veterans Day Race
Nov. 11th: VRP 4th Anniversary
Nov. 11th: American Legion Veterans Day Program, 11am @ VRP; Building Closes at 4:30pm, No other programs.
Nov. 14th: Women Veterans Wellness Day at DVA Rocky Hill 10am-3pm
Nov. 15th: Vets Rock - Mohegan Sun,11am
Nov. 19th: United We Feast Thanksgiving Dinner at VRP (registration required - rlandry@escrec.org)
Nov. 26th: Building Closes at 4:30pm, No Peer Meet-up
Nov. 27th: Thanksgiving Day; Building Closed
Nov. 28th: Building Closed
Dec. 12th: 3rd Annual Mental Health Symposium
Dec. 13th: Wreaths Across America
Dec. 17th: M&T Banks' Meals for Military Dinner, 5pm (registration required - rlandry@escrec.org)
Dec. 22nd & 23rd: Building Closes at 4:30pm
Dec. 24th: Christmas Day; Building Closed
Dec. 25th, 26th: Building Closed
Dec. 31st: Building Closes at 4:30pm
Jan. 1st: Building Closed
Jan. 2nd: Building Closed
Announcements:
★ Please see holiday hours and building closings above!
★ NEW! New Year, New You, New HOURS! New facility hours launching the week of January 5, 2026! M-F 6am - 6pm, Sat. 8am - 12pm (more info below).
| | | New Year, New You, New BUILDING HOURS! | |
New Building Hours at VRP in 2026
Get ready to rally, because the Easterseals Veterans Rally Point is expanding our facility hours to better serve you!
We’re excited to announce that beginning this year, our Veterans Rally Point hours are expanding to better serve you! Based on valuable feedback from our members and program surveys, we’re updating our schedule to Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. These new hours will allow us to open our doors earlier for those heading to work, caring for families, or who like to start their day in the fitness center—and to offer weekend access for Veterans and military families who can’t visit during the week. Our Food Pantry will also expand to include Saturday hours, making it even easier to access support when you need it most. We’re thrilled to start this new chapter with you—because at Veterans Rally Point, your feedback drives our mission forward.
These exciting new hours will kick off on Monday, January 5th!
| | | | Monday - Friday | 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Extended early-morning hours offers flexibility for early morning risers. | | Saturday | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Weekend warriors unite!
Food Pantry will expand to weekends. | | Sunday | Closed | Rest. Renew. Recharge. | | |
Volunteers and Partnerships
Fuel VRP Food Pantry Growth
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Behind the tremendous growth of the Easterseals Veterans Rally Point (VRP) Food Pantry stands a team whose dedication makes it all possible: our volunteers and partners. Led by VRP Kitchen Manager Hazel Proulx, food pantry volunteers handle the shopping, inventory, stocking, and staffing that keep our shelves full and our doors open. Their efforts have transformed what began as a small pantry into a vital community resource for Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
In 2024, the pantry served a total of 192 individuals. Today, that number has grown to 162 households—representing more than 470 individuals receiving food support in 2025. This incredible expansion is the direct result of volunteer power and strong community partnerships.
Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge facing our nation’s Veterans. When Veterans visit VRP for counseling, job support, or peer connection, they often leave with a car full of groceries—proof that holistic care starts with meeting basic needs. None of this would be possible without community partnerships like our long-standing collaboration with the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, whose consistent support ensures thousands of pounds of food reach those in need each month. Every can, box, and contribution helps us serve those who served us. Together—with our volunteers, donors, and community partners—we’re nourishing more than bodies. We’re restoring hope and stability for those who have sacrificed so much.
Easterseals VRP continues to seek volunteers and donations to sustain this powerful momentum and ensure that every veteran and military family in need has a stable source of nutritious food.
Contact hproulx@escrec.org to volunteer or donate to the pantry.
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If you or someone you know is having a Mental Health Crisis and needs immediate assistance, please pass along this contact information:
Easterseals Veterans Rally Point
(M-F 830am - 4:30pm)
(860) 859-4151
VetsHelp@escrec.org
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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More Than Just Clay:
A Fond Farewell to Our Pottery Studio Lead
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Farewell, Christy
When Christy first walked through the doors of Veterans Rally Point with a friend, none of us — not even she — could have imagined the impact this place would have on her life, or the impact she would have on ours.
Though it was her husband, a combat veteran, whose service allowed her the benefits of our facility, Christy found her own source of healing, connection, and purpose here. As she recently shared, “You were here for me at a time when I really needed it.” We hadn’t realized just how deeply our community had touched her heart until she told us she was moving back to Pennsylvania.
As our Pottery Studio Lead, she transformed the studio into a welcoming, organized, and truly functional creative space. Her passion for pottery was matched only by her gift for bringing people together. Through her classes, she built more than just skills — she built friendships. The studio became a place of laughter, encouragement, and belonging for so many of our members who discovered they weren’t just pottery enthusiasts, but part of a supportive community.
While we’re sad to see her go, we take comfort in knowing this isn’t goodbye — just see you again. Her creativity, warmth, and leadership have left a lasting mark on all of us, and her legacy will continue to shape our pottery program for years to come.
We wish Christy all the best as she moves on to this next chapter in Pennsylvania — and we hope she knows she’ll always have a home here with us.
| | | Peer Meetup Support Group | |
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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.
No registration required. Hot meal served.
Wednesdays from 5-6:15pm
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.
Would you like to share your story? Email Lori Marriott, Director of Military Services, HERE
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PEER MEETUP SCHEDULE:
November:
11/12 – Dante Grassi – Woodworker; Resurrecting antique sewing machines, as well as other antiques
11/19 – Thanksgiving Meal (No Speaker, pre-registration required - email hproulx@escrec.org)
11/26 – No Peer Meet Up
December:
12/3 – Roy Bourque – Member; Civil Air Patrol presentation
12/10 – Dean Berube – Veteran and Magician; Magic Show
12/17 – TBD
12/24 – No Peer Group
12/31 – No Peer Group
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