Neighbors Helping Neighbors

By Kelly Kandra Hughes

When Norfolk NET began in 2017 as a grassroots organization to alleviate poverty in Norfolk, the organizers believed that fostering relationships would be a key for success. Since that time, they’ve launched several initiatives, such as the Gifting Board at the Hub, Norfstroms at the transfer station, community suppers, makerspaces and the Pay It Forward, Norfolk! community contest. But they have struggled in trying to connect individuals who need help with daily tasks with volunteers who could provide that help.

Because of issues of safety and liability, Norfolk NET needs to be cautious in who they reach out to when requests come in for services such as rides to doctors appointments or yard work, but the group has no infrastructure or personnel in place to vet volunteers. So when they learned about UR Community Cares, a volunteer connection network based out of Manchester, Conn., the prospect of teaming up with them was exciting.

Founded in 2019 by physical therapist Michelle Puzzo and entrepreneur M. D. Birmingham, UR Community Cares is a way for people aged 70 and older, or those aged 18 and older with a disability, to receive assistance with daily life chores, including housework, yard work, companionship and transportation. The company does not provide personal care such as showering or assistance with medication, or professional trade services such as electrical or plumbing work.

Volunteers need to be 18 years or older, or 15 to 17 years old with parental consent and supervision. All volunteers are given a background check, and those volunteers who enroll in transportation services are required to submit a valid driver’s license. Applications to be a volunteer are online at https://urcommunity cares.org.

Those in need of assistance can enroll as a “community member” on the UR Community Cares secure website at the address above or by calling 860-430-4557. Community members, too, are submitted to a background checks to prevent fraud and to ensure that all participants in UR Community Cares are comfortable with their participation. Personal information such as social security number and date of birth is deleted from the system once the background check has cleared. UR Community Cares is also HIPPA compliant. 

There are no costs associated with joining UR Community Cares, either as a volunteer or a community member. “That’s the beauty of this community,” says cofounder Puzzo. “There’s no cost. Funding from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation [NCCF] allows UR Community Cares to be free.”

Members will be linked in the town where they live, or at least within a 10-15 mile radius. Thanks to the grant from NCCF, Norfolk is one of the towns UR Community Cares is prioritizing for volunteer recruitment.

“UR Community Cares solves our problem with how to best connect volunteers in Norfolk with those in need of help,” says Norfolk NET leader Rev. Erick Olsen. “We’re grateful to have UR Community Cares as a local resource.” 

For more information on UR Community Cares, visit their website or call the number above, or email info@communitycares.org. For more information about Norfolk NET, email NorfolkNETCT@gmail.com or call 860-542-7185. Norfolk NET meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Hub. The next meeting is Jan. 25, and any Norfolk resident is invited to come.