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Office Hours: M-F 8am-4:30pm
Fitness Center Hours: M-F 8am-8pm
Wellness Studio Hours: M-F 8am-8pm
Computer Lab Hours: M-F 8am-8pm
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Easterseals Veterans Rally Point
24 Stott Avenue
Norwich CT, 06360
Phone Number: (860) 859-4148
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Monthly Featured Programs | |
Nidra Yoga w/ Sonja
Nidra Yoga with Sonja returns Weds. March 13th! Join us for a calming evening, to relax and improve sleep. Nidra Yoga is a relaxation technique that reduces stress, anxiety, and improves sleep. Our experienced yogi, Sonja, will guide you through a session to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Mats, blocks, and blankets available but feel free to bring your own.
Offered weekly, Wednesdays at 6:15pm
Call 860-859-4148 x180 for more information.
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Dance and Movement w/ James Hodge
James, a veteran himself, has a lifetime of experience in dance, is a Certified Nutrition Coach, and a Certified Personal Trainer. The concept for this workshop is simple exposure to dance styles like Kompa, Salsa, and Chicago stepping. These are different dances but here we will discover through the blessing of movement that all dance is co-related. This is a 4-class 'try-it' workshop.
All are welcome!
Offered bi-weekly, Friday’s at 6pm
March 8th, 22nd, April 12th and 26th
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Chair Yoga w/ James Hodge
Chair yoga is an exercise program that is accessible and fun. It can be as challenging as a more traditional yoga class and is a great option for people with physical limitations such as multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. This is an 8-class 'try-it' workshop. All are welcome!
Offered weekly, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30am-9:15am
March 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th
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Woodshop 101
Woodworking classes provide a holistic approach to personal growth, offering not only the acquisition of practical skills but also opportunities for social engagement, creative expression, and mental health enrichment. Offered as one-hour sessions, these classes will serve as an introduction to the equipment and basic carpentry skills.
Offered weekly, Thursdays between 10am-12pm
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Computer 101 w/ Saschia
Basic computer skills are essential for employability and efficiency in today's digital age. Many job positions require basic computer skills like email, Microsoft Office, and internet navigation. Having these skills can increase job prospects and opportunities. This beginner’s level course will include safe internet browsing, Microsoft and Google Suite basics.
Offered weekly, Mondays 930am-1030am in the Computer Lab
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Pottery
The therapeutic nature of the creative arts, combined with a supportive community, empowers individuals to rebound from stress and life's challenges, serving as a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and exploration. Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Pottery classes offer a variety of different projects. View the schedule and projects by clicking the following link:
Pottery Schedule
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Mixed Media Art Class
This class will be using the dot/squeegee method to create a landscape on canvas. The goal of this workshop is to bring home a canvas that YOU create, having made your own color choices, with the opportunity to add other creative materials onto the canvas, with guidance. The most important goal for this workshop is that our VRP members are having fun!
- Friday, March 8th 3-5pm w/ Thena C. and Kim C.
- Class size limit 10
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One-on-One Counseling
Tom Shusterman, our Easterseals Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializes in working with adults, children, and families experiencing a wide array of stressors related to depression, anxiety, social-emotional dysregulation such as Autism, and personal loss. Since 2012, Tom has worked with individuals and groups across various levels of care and utilizes the most effective therapy methods when working with clients and VRP members.
Offered weekly, in-person on Thursdays.
Offered weekly, virtually on Tuesday mornings.
To book an appointment with Tom, please call (860) 859-4148 x180 or email tcranfill@escrec.org
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Please do not park in Easterseals Day Program Parking Areas. Members: Please do not park in designated Easterseals Day Program parking spaces- those are reserved for participants and staff of the Day Support Program. Thank you so much for your cooperation!
- Please get permission from VRP Director, Lori Marriott before you post fliers or business cards around Veterans Rally Point. Inform front desk once you have permission from Lori Marriott, so staff will know not to remove them.
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Veterans Rally Point building will be CLOSED for Staff Development on Wednesday, May 22nd.
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Sewing Classes have new hours! Every Friday from 9am-2pm. All levels welcome!
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Veterans Helping Veterans
Peer Meetup is a weekly opportunity to connect and share personal stories and experiences with the Easterseals VRP community. Held every Wednesday from 5-6:15pm 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.
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Upcoming Peer MeetUp Speakers
March 6th: 'CARD TRICKS' by Hector Ricafranca. 7-year Vietnam Veteran serving Naval Submarine Force Went to school after and became a X-ray Technician Retired 27 years ago. Learned close-up magic every time the submarine went on patrol.
March 13th: 'FISHING OUTREACH PROGRAM' by Sgt. Joe 'Sarge' Kowalski. Joseph J. Kowalski Jr. is a 13-year Veteran of the USMC serving from 1980-1993. He belongs to The Marine Corps League Silver City Detachment #45 where he has served as Commandant, Jr. and Sr. Vice Commandant, and Public Relations Officer. Joe is a life member of the Force Recon Association of the Marine Corps. He is well known in the fishing world for his TV show “Rod’s & Wheel’s” which ran on ESPN2 from July-December 2006. Joe is also a member of CT Bass Federation Nation and B.A.S.S. He has made the State Team of the CT BASS Federation Nation in 2005 and again for 2011. Joe is also known in the motorcycling community in CT. He holds a degree in Marketing from Quinnipiac University and is a certified PHD Harley Davidson Technician from MMI in Phoenix, AZ. Joe is presently retired and President of the Major Steven Roy Andrews Fishing Outreach Program Inc. that takes veterans and needy kids out fishing.
March 20th: 'DONT BE A VICTIM OF FRAUD' by Neftaly Morales. A Retired Chief Storekeeper, Surface Warfare Specialist, Neftaly served our U.S. Navy onboard 2 destroyer, 1 Amphibious ship, 1 Carrier and 1 Submarine. Retired back in 2004 after over 20 years of Honorable service, Neftaly is currently a Member Service representative for Navy Federal Credit Union where she continues to serve our active military and retire members and their families.
March 27th: 'POTTERY 101' by Christy Amon. Christy Amon is the professional potter here in the Makers Space at Veterans Rally Point. Her husband, Corey Chipman, is a retired Army Ranger Infantryman. Christy graduated from Buffalo State College with a BFA in fine art and concentration in Ceramics. She has taught pottery workshops, was studio monitor at BSC, was an instructor at the Creative Craft Center at the University of Buffalo, and her artwork has been in many galleries and traveling art shows in Western New York. Christy currently teaches wheel throwing and hand building projects here at VRP. Working with clay is meditative which has shown to help emotional stability. Christy is here to help VRP members learn all about clay and the different techniques it offers to create works of art.
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If you are interested in sharing a hobby, topic, or your story with the Peer-MeetUp group,
please email Saschia Johnson at sjohnson@escrec.org
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March 3, 2024- Navy Reserve Birthday
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March 3, 2024- 1pm Norwich St Patrick’s Day Parade
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March 13, 2024- K-9 Veterans Day – The date is the official birthday of the United States K9 Corps and a day to honor their service.
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March 23, 2024- Easterseals 'Spring-Fling Crystal Ball' - Hosted at The Riverview in Simsbury CT, this is our largest fundraiser of the year! (see below)
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March 25, 2024- Medal of Honor Day – A holiday to honor the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients for the United States.
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March 29, 2024- Vietnam Veterans Day – A national holiday to recognize and honor Veterans who served in the military during the Vietnam War. Learn more about Vietnam Veterans Day here.
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March 29, 2024- 5pm Vietnam Veterans Day Program Coventry CT Vietnam War Memorial Park
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Easterseals Spring-Fling Crystal Ball | |
Hartford Area's Event of the Year!
Join us on Saturday, March 23rd for our annual, signature Easterseals Crystal Ball fundraiser is our largest fundraiser of the year with proceeds benefiting Easterseals programs for people with disabilities and Veterans improving the health of the most vulnerable in our community.
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Veterans Rally Point Partner Shout-Out | |
Eversource: A New Powerful Sponsor for our Easterseals!
Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut is thrilled to welcome a powerful sponsor to our Easterseals family. We are delighted to add Eversource to our growing list of sponsors for our upcoming largest fundraiser- Easterseals Spring Fling Crystal Ball -supporting our disability and veterans programs.
At Easterseals, we believe in the strength of collaboration and the impact it can have on our mission. Eversource shares our core values of compassion, diversity, inclusivity, and commitment to community welfare. Their dedication to making a positive difference aligns seamlessly with our vision for a more inclusive and accessible world.
A heartfelt thank you to Eversource for enlisting in our mission! Your support means more opportunities to empower individuals with disabilities, veterans, and their families. Together, we are forging a path towards a brighter and more inclusive future.
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Thank You, Amazon!
Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern CT would like to shine a spotlight on the amazing support we have received from Amazon in Windsor, CT.
Amazon is dedicated to giving back to communities, and as a Non-Profit partner in 2023, our Easterseals Veterans Rally Point and Adult Day Support programs have received over $86,000 of donated items to benefit Veterans and people with disabilities. Items include program supplies, non perishable food pantry items, clothing, personal hygiene items, housewares, books, art supplies, and more.
Easterseals is overjoyed to be able to utilize these items for the vital programs and services we offer, and give back to the communities who need it the most. We cannot do what we do without partners like YOU - Thank you, Amazon!
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Looking to Start your Own Business?
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans. The EBV is designed to give focused, practical training in the tools and skills of new venture creation and growth and the establishment of a support structure for graduates of the program. EBV brings together a dedicated UConn community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and others to rally around this group of exceptional individuals. UConn remains committed to making the university a national leader for veteran entrepreneurship.
The program has graduated 253 Veterans and military spouses!
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Question:
How many wheelchairs are broken by airlines each day?
Answer:
Click HERE
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Fox61 News: Jet Speed
Recently, Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern CT's President and CEO, Robin Sharp, and Easterseals Board Member and Disability Advocate, Dave Stevens, were interviewed by Fox61 News to shine a light on some of the barriers to air travel for people with disabilities.
Easterseals has made enormous progress in accessible transportation since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Bus travel is more accessible. Train travel is more accessible. Cruise ship travel is more accessible. But commercial air travel is not. It’s exempted from the protections afforded travelers by the ADA, and despite the Air Carrier Access Act that was meant to promote accessibility, our air travel system has not done nearly enough to ensure Americans with disabilities have safe, efficient, and reliable travel options.
We can – and we must – do more.
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If you attended our Valentines Day Meals for Military, we want to hear from you! | |
Meals for Military: A Success!
Thanks to M&T Bank and Bozrah Pizza, Veterans Rally Point was able to feed 70 of our members dinner on Valentines Day! There wasn’t an empty seat in the house! We had the privilege of hearing from James Hodge, who shared poetry and words of love. We also were honored to hear from our two oldest Korean War Veterans. Both Korean War Veterans, who are 95 years young, mentioned that the community they have at Veterans Rally Point is one of their few secrets to living a long life!
The Meals for Military program aims to build social support, camaraderie, and fellowship through the simple act of 'breaking bread'. Bringing to light the critical issue of food insecurity, Meals for Military will continue to offer meals at no cost to VRP members. Stay tuned for our next event!
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Buy A Brick, Leave a Legacy | |
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. If you’d like assistance in placing your order, a personal check is the best form of payment.
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Help is Just a Phone Call Away | |
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
Vets4Warriors:
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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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