As we inch our way into fall, September has brought us together in countless ways at MARC, Inc.

From a beautiful day on the Manchester Country Club golf course, cheering on our Special Olympics athletes, to celebrating our DSPs, prioritizing health and wellness, and watching our self-advocates thrive in the community, September provided the smoothest transition to fall.

Each of our events brought new faces, new memories, fresh perspectives, and meaningful relationships. We are incredibly grateful to our individuals, families, staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, community partners, and friends who continue to show up and support our mission!

Now that fall has officially arrived, we are just getting started...

Thanks to YOU, we enjoyed a beautiful day on the green and we're already looking forward to next year!

September was filled with moments that celebrated people, voices, and the relationships that make MARC, Inc.

To recognize our Direct Support Professionals we dedicated a week to celebrating their compassion, encouragement, and commitment to the individuals we serve. The impact our DSPs have on the lives of the people we support goes far beyond what can be celebrated in just one week.

Monday started off on a sweet note with Munson's chocolate bars, and Friday ended with an ice cream social. Every day in between brought something different to show our DSPs a little extra recognition for everything they do.

These are truly the relationships that matter MOST.

Self advocacy was front and center as members of MARC attended the People First of Connecticut Conference in Bristol. This experience brought together self-advocates from across the state for a chance to connect, learn, and share their personal experiences.

Jacob and Roy stepped into the spotlight, presenting alongside Midstate Arc during a breakout session on Assistive Technology!

MARC community members also had the opportunity to meet Madison Tevlin, a well-known celebrity advocate and public speaker who uses her platform to advocate for the IDD community!

This experience brought new ideas, meaningful connections, and most importantly, another opportunity for our self-advocates to use their voices.

Our Special Olympics Athletes had the chance to get out on the bocce courts this month for some friendly competition and a whole lot of fun!

From cheering each other on to simply enjoying the day together, there were plenty of smiles to go around. We are so proud of everyone who participated and represented MARC.

Building New Skills, Being Adventurous, Learning Along the Way.

Pathways

Our Pathways group has been busy both in the kitchen and out in the community! This month, they continued building their culinary skills with a visit to Chili's, where they practiced portioning and food prep alongside staff. They also had the chance to explore the new Manchester Public Library!

In the classroom, the group has been learning more about kitchen safety, measuring, cleaning, food preparation, and the different roles that keep food service operations running smoothly. Each new experience gives participants another chance to practice their skills, explore their interests, and grow comfortable trying new things.

V.E.T.

This month, our V.E.T. individuals focused on transferrable skills such as teamwork, communication, and motivation. This has been a fun, interactive method of learning for our individuals.

At this years Wellness Fair, the V.E.T. program joined us and individuals shared their "Vets of Fortune" project with the community. Experiences like this give them a chance to practice what they're learning, become more confident, and continue preparing for future opportunities.

Wellness Fair Fun!

We had quite the turnout for our 3rd Annual Wellness Fair making the day a success! Individuals and staff had the chance to explore different health and wellness resources, connect with local organizations, and take part in plenty of hands-on activities.

We used our outdoor track to our advantage and stationed each of our businesses on the outskirts of the path. We absolutely loved seeing everyone get involved! A big thank you to Ion Bank for sponsoring this years fair and to all of the organizations who persevered through the wind with us!

Raffle Karaoke🎤

And we can't forget to highlight our Karaoke fun!

We love hearing our people take the mic and seeing the variety of songs they introduce us to. There is never a dull moment when karaoke is involved!

Fall Fun, Birthday Celebrations, Awesome Trips.

Our Residential crew made the most of September with a little bit of everything! Individuals took their talents to the kitchen with homemade mini pizzas and cake pops, then traded their aprons for an afternoon of exploring at Dinosaur State Park. 

Fall activities are officially in full swing as we head into October with plenty of adventures and celebrations on the radar!

MARC was proud to introduce this year's Manchester Carnival to The Shoppes at Buckland Hills and be a part of the GMCC Business Expo. This week helped raise important funds towards MARC's programs and services, bringing a little extra excitement into the fall season.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored, purchased a wristband, stopped by to see us, or helped spread the word. Such a great way to end the month!

MARC individuals took part in Help Bag Hunger at ShopRite of Manchester in recognition of Hunger Action Month. We helped bag groceries, connected with shoppers, and more importantly, increased awareness around food insecurity in our community!

Monday, October 5

We are kicking off the month with a S'mores Night at Murphy's! Join us for a cozy fall evening and the perfect sweet treat.

Tuesday, October 6

From 12:30 to 1:30 pm, MARC will come together for a Breast Cancer Wellness Walk in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Individuals and staff are invited to walk in honor of those currently fighting, in memory of those we have lost, and in hope for a future without breast cancer.

Thursday, October 15

From 10:00am - 11:00am, MARC is teaming up with the Manchester Registrar of Voters for a morning of making your voices HEARD!

Individuals can learn about the voting process, try out the new voting machines, participate in an accessible voting demonstration, and cast their vote in a mock election.

Tuesday, October 20

Get ready for a night of friendly competition, dance moves, and spooky behavior!

Join us 5:30 - 8:00 pm at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill for lots of Halloween fun.

Two ticket options available:

$10 ADMISSION ONLY

$15 ADMISSION + DINNER

Friday, October 30 

Have a Halloween costume you think has true potential?? Come show it off at MARC's Costume Parade and see if your look has what it takes to win you a prize.

Get creative and have fun! We can't wait to see what you come up with.

Email info@marcct.org to sign up for MARC text message notifications — great for weather-related updates and keeping up with new, exciting events!

MARC, Inc. of Manchester
info@marcct.org
860-646-5718