Honoring Service and Sacrifice | |
Veterans Serving Veterans:
$50,000 Grant from Comcast NBCUniversal Awarded to Easterseals
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On October 15, 2024, at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point, Representatives from Comcast and Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut were joined by State Senator Cathy Osten, Representatives Kevin Ryan and Anthony Nolan, and Mayor Peter Nystrom to announce a $50,000 grant to Easterseals Veterans Rally Point in Norwich for digital literacy training and media skills development. The grant is funding enhancements to the facility’s media lab and broadcasting studio. | |
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Veterans Rally Point is Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut’s center of excellence facility, which provides military service members, veterans and their families with comprehensive support, skill-building opportunities and community engagement.
The grant from Comcast is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators. The event ended with Easterseals Veterans Rally Point students interviewing VIPs to put their newly acquired skills to good use!
Check out photos of our digital students at Veterans Rally Point interviewing VIPs HERE
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Our Giving Season Campaign Featuring JOSH! | |
Nicole Stanziale, MA CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist, and Josh | |
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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.
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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This year, our Easterseals Giving Season campaign runs from November through December to include both Giving Tuesday and End of Year options for donors. | |
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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.
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.
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! Scan the QR code above or click HERE.
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Easterseals Annual Meeting & Celebration
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, 5:00-7:30pm
The Hartford Golf Club, West Hartford, CT
Click HERE to RSVP
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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Supporting Caregivers through PEERS® Program | |
PEERS is a program for young adults with ASD who would like to improve their social skills. | |
Openings Available NOW in
PEERS® Program
It’s National Family Caregivers Month—do you have a young adult in your family with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in need of improving social skills?
PEERS® was developed at UCLA and is an evidenced-based social skills class for motivated young adults who are interested in making and keeping friends and developing romantic relationships. Participants learn social skills through step-by-step instruction, demonstration, in-class practice, and out-of-class assignments.
Wednesdays 1:00pm-2:30pm
January 15 to March 5 (8 weeks)
In Person: 100 Deerfield Road, Windsor, CT 06095
Please contact Nicole Stanziale at nstanziale@escrec.org for more information.
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Important Dates and Closings at Veterans Rally Point | |
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Nov. 11th: Veterans Day Ceremony 11am; All other programs cancelled- with the exception of the AA Meeting which takes place at 12:15pm. Building closes at 4:30pm.
Nov. 11th: VRP Facility's 3rd Birthday!
Nov. 16th: Vet's Rock @ Mohegan Sun
Nov. 21st: Meals for Military 'Navigating the Holidays' for Veterans and a plus one. Guest speakers will cover ways to cope with family stress, financial strain, and self-care during the holidays. Email Tammy at tstott@escrec.org to reserve your spot. Spots are limited.
Nov. 27th: Building closes at 4:30pm.
Nov. 28th & 29th: Building CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 24th: Building closes at 4:30pm
Dec. 25th: Building CLOSED for Christmas
Dec. 31st: Building closes at 4:30pm
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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Nov. 6: Speaker Rich Rothstein dazzles with a Magic Show!
Nov. 13: Senior Health & Retirement Services provides education on Medicare for Veterans
Nov. 20: Speaker Ben Lathrop, Vietnam Veteran, shares his remarkable journey and why he advocates for Veterans' mental health.
Nov 27: NO PEER MEETUP: Building closes at 4:30pm
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Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Hosts Press Event for SSG Fox Grant Award | |
VA Grant Expands Support Services
Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut's Veterans Rally Point proudly announced, in a Press Event, new federal funding in the amount of $462,000 awarded through the VA's Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. With this critical grant support, our Easterseals is a leader in suicide prevention.
America lost a beloved son on July 21, 2020. Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox, who served as a sniper in the U.S. Army after completing the U.S. Army Infantry School, died by suicide at his home in Columbus, Georgia at the age of 25. Veterans are SIX TIMES more likely to die by suicide than in combat. This transformative grant will enable our organization to expand vital behavioral health services at Veterans Rally Point and deepen our collaborations with partners across Connecticut to create stronger, long-term support networks for Veterans in need.
We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated partners, board members, and supporters who tirelessly advocate for the health and well-being of Connecticut's Veterans.
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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
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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Buy A Brick
Take advantage of this opportunity to commemorate members of your family and others who courageously protect our country by participating in the Veterans Rally Point 'Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy' program. Using our wide selection of pre-made graphic art designs, you can personalize your brick while supporting the vital programs and services we offer at VRP. Your personalized brick will be placed within the Veterans Rally Point Flagpole Memorial Courtyard, as a tribute to those who keep our country safe and free. To place your order, please click HERE.
For assistance with your order, please email Lori at Lmarriott@escrec.org to set up an appt.
Credit Card, PayPal, and personal check accepted as forms of payment.
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Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork
Our team knows that our success relies on the power of working together, and this season’s All Staff Training Day was a true testament to that commitment. The day was filled with sessions focused on building strong relationships, fostering organizational growth, emphasizing the importance of self-care, and celebrating our collective achievements. By coming together, we strengthen our mission and our impact, ensuring that we’re better equipped to serve our community. Here’s to teamwork, growth, and the incredible things we can accomplish together!
Check out a fun video of the training here!
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Quilts for Hurricane Victims
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Veterans Rally Point community demonstrated incredible compassion and solidarity. Led by our talented Sewing Instructor, Jeanne Chabotte, and supported by VRP staff and partners, our team came together to create and send a shipment of 75 handmade quilts to North Carolina for those impacted by the devastation.
As Lori Webster Marriott, VRP Director of Military Services, expressed, “Sometimes it takes a village to make things happen in this world... or a group of strangers, all veterans, looking to help in any way they can.”
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Digital Literacy for Vets
We are thrilled to spotlight the continued success of our partnership with Comcast at Veterans Rally Point! This week, our Broadcasting Studio students had the chance to put their skills to the test by interviewing Comcast partners—a fantastic showcase of the media and digital literacy training they’ve gained through our program. The event brought together Comcast representatives and special guests to announce a generous $50,000 grant from Comcast to fuel ongoing digital literacy and media training for our veterans.
See more photos here.
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Spooky Fun at Easterseals
Our Adult Day Support teams got into the Halloween spirit this week with some festive fun! The East Hartford crew enjoyed a lively Trick-or-Treat adventure in Windsor, bringing smiles to the community and spreading holiday cheer. Meanwhile, our Norwich team held a Halloween Parade, where participants donned creative costumes and celebrated together. These special events not only bring joy but also foster a sense of community and camaraderie among participants and staff.
Check out these photos to see their fantastic costumes and Halloween spirit in action!
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Who started National Caregivers Month?
A. President Bill Clinton
B. President Ronald Reagan
C. President George W. Bush
D. President Jimmy Carter
Click HERE for the answer!
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NDEAM
(National Disability Employment Awareness Month) The New London Day features Julia Musgrove, a participant in our Career Development & workforce readiness program, and Career Development Manager, Dan Bracken.
Comcast NBCUniversal Grant & Event
The New London Day, The Patch, Comcast New England, and CT House Democrats feature our Easterseals & partners as we announce continued partnership for Veteran Digital Literacy.
SSG Fox SPGP Press Event
Congressman Joe Courtney, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce $462K for Easterseals to Support Veterans’ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, along with The New London Day, WSHU, Targeted News Service, and others.
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