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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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Welcome to Veterans Rally Point,
Tammy Stott!
Tammy Stott is our newly hired Food Pantry Coordinator. Staff Sergeant (SSG) Tammy Stott served 10 years in the Rhode Island Air National Guard as a Command and Control Operations Specialist and is a member of the Rhode Island Air National Guard Honor Guard.
Family First!
Tammy, born and raised in Connecticut, lives locally with her husband and four daughters. “They are my pride and joy." You can find her at a soccer game, horseback riding event, dance competition and tennis lesson! She said, “My life feels like the perfect kind of chaos, and I would not have it any other way.”
Committed to Serving My Community
"I'm incredibly proud to have the opportunity to give back and support military and veteran families in our community."
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Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Food Pantry Hours of Operation:
Monday: 10am-2pm
Tuesday: 10am-2pm
Wednesday: 4pm-8pm
Thursday: 10am-2pm
Friday: Closed
Food for the Easterseals Veterans Rally Point has been provided, in part, by the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center. Additional food resources and the UWSECT Mobile Food Pantry Calendar can be found HERE
Please call (860) 859-4148 ext.180 or email tstott@escrec.org for info.
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POTTERY
AM Pottery: Tues Open Studio, 9am-12pm
PM Pottery: Mon & Tue eve Open Studio, 3pm-7pm
Classes Requiring Registration:
April 1 & 2 - Wheel Thrown Bowls & Trimming
April 8 & 9 - Makers Mark Personal Stamp
April 15 & 16 - Hand Build Charcuterie Platter
April 22 & 23 - Wheel Throwing 101 & Trimming
April 29 & 30 - Glazing
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SEWING
Sewing takes place on Fridays from 9am-2pm. No experience necessary, all levels welcome. You can come for the entire time or whatever time frame fits your schedule.
This wonderful group has created over (100) lap quilts for veterans, and over (100) wheelchair/walker caddies for veterans. The sewing group completes many different projects, and instruction includes the use of sewing machines, sewing tools, project assistance, and socialization to share experiences and inspire and encourage each other. If you are interested in attending, no pre-registration is required. For questions, please contact our Front Desk (860) 859-4148 x180
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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
If you're interested in meeting with Lori, depending on availability, she is a Certified Veteran Peer Specialist. Email her at Lmarriott@escrec.org.
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- Using cellphone/handheld cameras in the gym -please make sure you do not video other members in the gym. Everyone deserves to feel a sense of privacy while working out in our Fitness Center.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS -Veterans Rally Point building will be CLOSED for Staff Development May 22, 2024.
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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 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.
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Upcoming Peer MeetUp Speakers
April 3rd:
Speaker: Barbara Boiselle from the Community Health LPN-East Region. Barbara worked at the Naval Health Clinic at the Groton Subase for 10 years. She also worked with Starlight Farms through Stonington Institute, a program for military personal and veterans struggling with substance abuse, PTSD, and mental health issues.
Topic: Speaking on high blood pressure, to include blood pressure screenings and educational materials regarding 'knowing your numbers'.
April 10th:
Speaker: Bill Kirby. William B. Kirby is a Capt., USMCR Ret., Designated Naval Aviator May 1964, Vietnam Service 1966-67.
Topic: Bill Kirby will join us again for Part II of his 'My Vietnam Experience' story.
April 17th:
Speaker: Jill Rusk, Community Impact Resource Manager & Anne Stockton, VP of the Food Center at Gemma E. Moran/United Way Southeastern CT.
Topic: Speaking on the Ribbon Cutting for the Gemma E. Moran Food Pantry.
April 24th:
Speaker: Jan "Your Garden Guru" has combined over 5 decades of practical experience with her formal education, having earned her Master Gardener certification and Kitchen Garden Coach certification to provide education for guaranteed garden success.
Topic: Discover the three essential secrets that will revolutionize your gardening experience and ensure thriving plants, bountiful harvests, and a garden that will make your neighbors green with envy. Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your gardening game and enjoy a year of unparalleled success in your garden.
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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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UPCOMING EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES | |
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April 5, 2024 – Gold Star Spouses Day – A day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness.
April 14, 2024 – Air Force Reserve Birthday
April 23, 2024 – Army Reserve Birthday
April 27, 2024 – Vietnam Veterans Day event at VRP (details to come)
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Unlock your Career Potential w/ our
Resume Writing Course!
Are you tired of your resume blending into the crowd? Want to stand out to potential employers and land that dream job? Look no further! We will help you understand what employers are looking for and give you the keys you need to unlock the employment door.
What You’ll Learn:
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Position Your Resume Strategically: Tailor your resume to specific marketing purposes and align it with the needs of top-notch organizations.
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Craft Dynamic Accomplishment Statements: Transform a dull resume into a powerful asset that speaks the language employers understand.
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Navigate Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Learn how to adapt your resume for automated screening.
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Access Web Resources: Find power language to make your resume shine.
Every Friday 3pm-430pm with Paul Hanlon Sgt. First Class Ret., Veterans Employment Representative, Montville American Job Center
Prior to attending class, log on to CTHires.com to set up a new account for yourself! VRP computer lab can be used for members to register on CTHires.com.
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EASTERSEALS SPRING FLING CRYSTAL BALL-
A Tremendous Success!
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"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."
-Lady Bird Johnson
It was an evening of growth and connection--300 guests gathered for our Easterseals largest fundraiser of the year, our annual Crystal Ball, at beautiful Riverview in Simsbury, CT. While it was raining outside, guests entered a Spring oasis, surrounded by Spring flowers, a reminder of the support and growth our services provide to the community.
Our guest speakers shared mission moments including “Cesar’s story” of learning employment skills and finding a second home at Easterseals as told by his sister, Sara Goyzueta, and our “Digital Skills for Veterans” inclusion program led by Board Member, Dave Stevens. Our keynote speaker, Marc Fucarile, shared his journey as a survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing tragedy, and how important access to and awareness of our disability, mobility and veterans’ services are.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, and donors, we raised nearly $460,000 in gross revenue—critical to the robust growth plans we are developing to serve more individuals with disabilities and veterans.
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If you did not attend, there’s still time to donate to support
our disability and veterans’ programs!
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Question:
In what year was the USS Nautilus Commissioned?
Answer:
A. 1954
B. 1985
C. 1801
D. 1977
Click HERE for the Answer!
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Easterseals on NBC Connecticut!
In March, our Easterseals President & CEO, Robin Sharp, was LIVE on NBC Connecticut discussing all of the wonderful programs and services we offer for people with disabilities and Veterans, and how important our Annual Crystal Ball is for supporting those services.
Check out the interview HERE
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Easterseals on Great Day Connecticut!
In March, our Easterseals President and CEO, Robin Sharp, and Board Member and Disability Advocate, Dave Stevens were interviewed on Great Day Connecticut. Robin and Dave talked about the Easterseals mission, Digital Media Skills and Employment programs at Veterans Rally Point and the partners that make it possible, and Easterseals Annual Spring Fling Crystal Ball!
Check out the interview HERE
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Shamrock Shenanigans and
Community Spirit
The St. Patty's Day Parade crowd in downtown Norwich roared with delight on Sunday, March 3rd, as a couple of our members rolled by in this Duce and Half!
Members Tom LaFreniere, Bob Denisha, Judy Lehosky, John Waggoner and Richie Russ along with others represented Easterseals Veterans Rally Point in the parade.
It wasn't just about showcasing Irish heritage (or honorary Irish spirit) it was about celebrating the heart of our community. Seeing everyone come together, young and old, decked out in uniform and waving shamrocks, was a powerful reminder of the bonds we share!
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Thena Cranfill leads Mixed Media Class
Our very own, Thena Cranfill, a former combat medic who now has a Fine Arts degree, led her first Mixed Media art class alongside Kim Carpenter. It was a fantastic way to explore our creativity!
Thena and Kim fostered a welcoming environment where everyone felt like an artist, which perfectly embodied a quote by artist Eric Gill: "The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist."
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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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