On May 23rd, MARC, Inc. had the opportunity to attend IDD Awareness & Advocacy Day, hosted by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) at Camp Harkness. Our staff and individuals had a great time connecting with other organizations, sharing MARC’s mission, and spreading the word about the services we offer!

A special shoutout to our incredible Assistive Technology peer mentors, Jacob and Roy, who proudly represented MARC by sharing their knowledge about AT devices and how they promote independence—including insightful conversations with Governor Lamont and DDS leadership.

Thank you to Governor Lamont, DDS Commissioner Jordan Scheff, and Deputy Commissioner Elisa Velardo for taking the time to learn more about MARC, Inc. and for their ongoing support of our work and the IDD community.

On May 20th, our staff and individuals joined nonprofit organizations from across the state for the annual Nonprofit Rally Day at the Capitol.

With potential budget cuts looming, our voices and actions were more important than ever. Together, we advocated for increased funding to ensure continued support for individuals in the IDD community and their dedicated caregivers.

This year’s Celebration of Life was a heartfelt tribute to Kevin, Melissa, Joan, Suzanne, and Laura. It reminded us of the strong bonds that unite our staff, individuals, and families, and how important it is to cherish every moment we have together.

The ceremony gave us time to reflect on the joy, laughter, and love each of these individuals brought into our lives. Their impact on the MARC community will never be forgotten, and they will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Summer arrived early at MARC as we danced the night away at this year’s Luau Party in May! From lively dance-offs and limbo contests to non stop laughter and great company, it was a night to remember.

A heartfelt thank you to Manchester High School for bringing the energy and the fun! We’re so grateful for their hard work to provide delicious food, a fantastic DJ, and bringing joy to our MARC family. Partnerships like this help make our events truly special!

Cue the spotlight! What an incredible night celebrating the talent, creativity, and spirit of MARC’s amazing individuals. Their show-stopping performances had the crowd on their feet—dancing, cheering, and beaming with pride.

A heartfelt thank you to the Little Theatre of Manchester for generously donating the space, to the dedicated staff who worked behind the scenes, and to our fantastic judges—Jay Moran, Millie Texidor-Maffucci, and Kevin Zingler—for lending their time and enthusiasm. We also extend our thanks to our Board Members for showing their support and to our high-energy emcees, Dawn and Emma, for keeping the night lively and fun.

We’re already counting down the days until next year’s show!

Our incredibly talented MARC, Inc. Olympians proudly competed in the 2025 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games at Southern Connecticut State University. With heart, determination, and teamwork, our athletes gave it their all in the 50m race walk, 50m run, wheelchair obstacle course, softball throw, and mini javelin.

We’re thrilled to share that Team MARC brought home several gold and silver medals!  We couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments—way to go, Team MARC!

A special thank you to UNICO for generously sponsoring our Special Olympics celebration dinner, and to Urban Lodge Brewing Co. for providing the perfect space for our MARC family to come together and celebrate their well-earned medals!

Congratulations to Jill, Kyle, Kiara, Eric, Griffin, and Adhlein on graduating from Project SEARCH!

After completing over 600 hours of hands-on experience at Hartford Hospital, our MARC family gathered to celebrate their incredible achievements at a special graduation ceremony hosted by Goodwin University.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff who supported our interns every step of the way, to Hartford Hospital and Goodwin University for being such valuable partners, and to PeoplesBank for generously sponsoring their celebratory lunch at Sakura Garden. We’re grateful for partnerships that champion inclusive employment, foster independence, and strengthen our mission.

We couldn’t be prouder of Jill, Kyle, Kiara, Eric, Griffin, and Adhlein. Their dedication, growth, and resilience over the past year have been truly inspiring. This milestone is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things they’ll achieve next!

We’d like to take a moment to recognize and congratulate the following staff members for their years of dedication and hard work at MARC. Your ongoing commitment plays a vital role in creating meaningful opportunities for individuals in the IDD community.

Thank you for all that you do!

🎬 Have you seen our Summer Concert Series commercial on TV? It’s officially concert season and we’re counting down the days!

We’re less than a month away from the biggest event of the summer—MARC’s Annual Summer Concert Series!

Starting every Tuesday in July, come dance, sing, and soak up the summer vibes at 151 Sheldon Road in Manchester, CT. This community favorite is proudly presented by Pratt & Whitney and packed with music, food trucks, vendors and fun for all ages.

Admission is FREE, so grab your lawn chairs, bring your friends and family, and join us this July!

Concert Lineup:

🎸 July 8 – Mass-Conn-Fusion

🎤 July 15 – Nightshift

🌴 July 22 – Changes in Latitudes

🎷 July 29 – Still Kickin’ with the Big City Horns

We can’t wait to see you there!

A huge shoutout to our amazing sponsors and vendors who make this summer tradition possible:

Presenting Sponsor: Pratt & Whitney

T-Shirt Sponsors: Cox Communications, PeoplesBank, and ECHN

Vendors:  ADB Septic, Ambulance Service of Manchester, ARM Screen Printing, Bob’s Jerky, Capitol Equipment, Community Voice Channel (CVC), Eversource, Harvest Woods Audio, Lawn Doctor, Manchester Police Department, UR Community Cares, USA Hauling & Recycling, and the Veterans Advisory Committee