Meeting a community need, minus the red tape
PowerUp Manchester offers case management services
MANCHESTER— WhenKerenPrescott brought groceries to a woman in need, the woman didn’t even knock before setting some of the items inside her neighbor’s house. Prescott told the woman to have her neighbor reach out for help and she’d bring herfood, too. Butthewomanknewshe wouldn’t.
“Shesaid ‘No, she’s embarrassed.’ SoIsaid when I deliver to you, I’ll just bring extra because I know what you’re going to do,” Prescott said.
Shame, proof of income, birth certificates and not knowing who to contact are just a few of the barriers that keep people from getting what they need. To help, members of PowerUp Manchester have begun meeting members of the community where they are andjusthelpingwithwhateverisneeded. Prescott calls it case management services.
“There’s a lot of red tape when you’re trying to get social services of any kind,” Prescott said. “It’s very demoralizing and when you have people who are in poverty, you move around a lot, you maylose papers. You also have people who are undocumented, so they can’t provide that. There are people who are working but don’t qualify for services.”
PowerUp Manchester was founded following the killing of George Floyd to call for an end to systemic racism. But Prescott, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has done case management for homeless shelters and outreach for schools, says PowerUp’s calling is to empower people.
“I am really trying to model PowerUp on the ways that the original Black Panther party had their 10-point program,” she said. “WhileI’minthestreetsprotestingandrallying, I recognizethat this fightistwo-fold. You gotta beinthestreets anddotheradicalstuff. Thecommunitysays‘yeahwegottarally but howamIgonnaeat today.’ You gotta be able to address both of the needs today.”
Helping people get an ID, register to vote, see a doctor, get housing, furniture, bedding and basic necessities are all among PowerUp’s case management services.
Recently, someonehandedPrescott’scard to Joyce McCaskill, whose daughter died five years ago. McCaskill struggles with her ownheathproblemsasshecaresforhertwo grandchildren, 8 and 10. Between everything she was dealing with and her fixed income, McCaskill had left her Eversource bill unpaid. Prescott called Eversource and was able to set up a payment plan.
McCaskill then introduced Prescott to a man who had just gotten an apartment and needed pots and pans and other necessities.
“We sat down with him and said what are some things you need and we were able to reach out to other organizations and we found out MACC right here in Manchester offers these new apartment kits. But how do you know that? People don’t know what places to call, sometimesthere is nointernet access, and what do I even Google?”
Those in need of help can call 860-2645809, email powerupmanchester@gmail. com, or message PowerUp Manchester on social media platforms. Those who want to help can donate moneyonCashapp, Venmo orPaypalthroughtheUnitarianUniversalist Society East (@uuse153) withanotespecifying use for PowerUpCT.
I t i s with heavy hearts t o announce that Carol Ann Ripper, 77, of Beaver Falls, PA sadly passed away on March 5th, 2021, after a l ong f i ght with Alzheimer’s.
Carol was born on April 23, 1943 i n Beaver Falls, PA to late Anna and J ohn Koziol. She later spent almost 30 years with her family i n Ohio before moving to CT for the l ater part of her life. She graduated from Penn State University and enjoyed watching her Nittany Lion football team compete.
Carol i s survived by her younger sister, Kathy Park and her older brother, Gary Koziol. She will be deeply missed by her beloved college sweetheart and devoted husband of 54 years, Paul Ripper, as well as her two loving daughters: Melissa McDermott and her husband John and Teresa Curtis and her husband Karl. “Nana” will be l eaving behind her adored grandkids Brianna, Jack, Julia, Evan and Claire, whom she loved and cheri shed with all her heart.
Carol was an accomplished Speech Therapist i n the Strongsville District school system and enjoyed helping her young students succeed. She cared for them as if they were her own.
Carol’s craftsmanship was a gift, extending i nto painting, sewing, knitting, wood crafts and creating stained glass artwork. She had a passion for cooking, bringing many of us fond memories of her and Paul’s pierogi parties and her amazing homemade pies. Her l ove of desserts was contagious and continued to bring her joy up to the end. Carol was also known for her love of long walks, hiking, biking and camping with her family. We cannot forget her singing and dancing to the tunes of Barry Manilow, Michael Jackson and her most recent love of Bruno Mars. Most i mportantly, though, Carol will be remembered as the most generous, unselfish and kindest soul anyone could know.
A special small honoring of Carol will be held at a l ater date t his year i n CT. Until t hen, Paul, Melissa and Teresa ask that you play a song or cook a favorite food of hers to celebrate the joy she brought to our lives. We know she will be enjoying it with you from above. For those who wish, donations can be made in her honor to help f i nd a cure f or Alzheimer’s at http:// act. alz. org/ goto/ CarolRipper.