Winter 2010 - Abby`s House

bright spot
Vol. 28,
Issue 3
dec. 2010
Editors: Sarah Lange & Alex Kartheiser Contact: [email protected] Online: www.abbyshouse.org/brightspot.html
Our Volunteers
Make a Difference!
Abby’s House was founded in 1976 by a group of volunteers,
who worked hard to establish one of the 1st homeless shelters in
the US. Thirty-four years later, we have been able to help more than
11,000 women, mothers and children reclaim and rebuild their lives.
Without our volunteers, the transformative work we do here would
not be possible.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, volunteer on their own
or as part of a group, and for different reasons. Their length of stay
hiphipher-race: Abby’s Board and Staff turned out in force!
varies, as well. Some volunteer for one day, others work on a regular
basis, and some stay with us for years­ — our longest-standing
volunteer just celebrated her 34th year with us! Our volunteers vary
board of directors
Jillian Anger, President
Carolann Bombard
Leanore Bona, Asst. Treasurer
Laurie Bowater
Matilde Castiel
Patricia Conzo
Mary Ann Coppolino, Clerk
Gloria Giustino Dilendik
Molly Donahue
Jacqueline Ford
Amanda Graves
Arlene Lian
Natalie Mello
Muriel Swenor
Melanie Sullivan, Treasurer
Enoh Ukpong
Lucy Varela
Annie Wolfe, Vice President
Christine Zecker
Continued on Page 3
budget report fy10
women’s stories
Current Progress
A New Season of Life
As of October 31, we have raised $778,720
Due to emotional abuse, Debbie made the choice
to separate from her husband. Though she had
access to stay elsewhere, she chose Abby’s House.
Debbie graciously shares her courageous story…
toward our $1.2M budget. Our fiscal year closes
on December 31, so this means we need to raise at
least $400,000 in November and December.
On August third of this year, I found myself in
a new season of my life at Abby’s House. Little
did I know or even dream that I would find myself homeless and needing shelter. Upon arriving at Abby’s House I didn’t know what to expect,
65%
raised!
but I must say it was a pleasant experience right
from the start. I was warmly welcomed by a sweet
young woman named Sam, who was one of the
many volunteers that I had the pleasure of meeting. These women were wonderful, kind and com-
total
$1.2 million)
“What a great
team of
volunteers.”
passionate. Each one was
special in her own way and
should be commended for
their service to the com-
munity, for their time, and their talents. Women
Brand. New!
Our new identity is here and we
couldn’t be more delighted!
would come and cook for us, clean the house, do
the laundry, help with homework and one of my
favorites, teach us how to make jewelry. They were
very supportive, good listeners, and very encouraging! What a great team of volunteers. A great
Continued on Page 4
looking at the issues:
Self Sufficiency
the numbers based on 1 Adult with 1 school age
child living in Worcester.
We came across an invaluable tool last month:
the Crittenton Women’s Union (located in Bos-
The numbers are startling.
ton), has an interactive Economic Independence
The average income of a woman living at Abby’s
Calculator on their website, which allows you to
with one school age child is well under the self
determine how much it costs for a specific family
sufficiency standard. An annual income of $16,640
to live in a specific town or city in MA. Below are
is not nearly enough to pay for rent, food, clothing, and childcare. How do people under these
Economic
Independence
Wage
$3,157
hours, sometimes more than one job, rely on public assistance – such as food stamps and subsidized
housing – and places like Abby’s House. However,
$1,386
MONTHLY
(per adult)
$37,880
circumstances survive? In short, many work long
Avg. Income
of Abby’s House
Resident
these families are at high risk for homelessness.
“Economic
$16,640
ANNUAL
(per household)
with affordable housing, Abby’s
Independence”
House prevents these families
may be more
from becoming homeless. You can
than a leap for
help Abby’s prevent homelessness
Abby’s House
Data shown is for 1 adult with
1 schoolage child living in Worcester.
By providing women and children
residents.
for area women and children by
making a donation today.
Upcoming Events
Birthday Celebration for
Abby Kelley Foster
January 15, 2011
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Abby’s House
Tickets: $25.00
More information at:
www.abbyshouse.org/
akf_bday.html
Contact:
Marjorie Ropp
[email protected] or call
(508) 756-5486 ext. 21.
First Annual Abby’s
House Fashion Show February, 2011
Coming soon to a venue near
you, a fashion show featuring
Thrift Store finds, styled or
“upcycled” into chic outfits!
We’ll post the location and
date on our website and
Facebook page shortly!
“Appeal-o-Meter”
As of November 16, 2010, the Annual Appeal
has raised $33,020. We hope to exceed last year’s
Appeal total of $84,000 by New Year’s Eve.
If you’ve already donated…Thank you!
Necessities
Please contact Julie Komenos
at (508) 756-5486 ext. 17
prior to organizing a food
or clothing drive, and to
coordinate the drop-off
of donations.
2
•copy paper
•bus passes
•rubber ergonomic
fatigue mats
•large paper mall shopping bags with handles
•coffee
•sugar
•Folgers coffee bags
•powdered creamer
•aluminum foil
•plastic wrap
•paper towels
•paper plates
•plastic and paper cups
•plastic silverware
•paper napkins
•bottled water
•canned vegetables
•gift cards to Price Rite,
Wal-mart, Price Chopper, & other grocery
stores
•mayonnaise
•bathroom & facial
tissue
•tall kitchen trashbags
•liquid hand soap
Bring in this coupon
and receive:
20%
OFF
your entire
purchase in our
thrift shop!
Upcoming Fashion Show!
We need mannequins and
dress forms for our upcoming
fashion show! If you have one
or more mannequins or dress
forms that you could loan
or donate to Abby’s House,
please contact our Thrift
Shop Manager, Jodi Salerno:
[email protected] or call
(508) 756 5486 ext. 31.
Good for month of January 2011
volume 28, issue 3
Recent Events
HipHipHerRace wasn’t just about raising money
to support Abby’s House. In its own way, the race
was healing for those who participated, as well.
One of the race participants is a stroke
survivor, who rallied to walk the entire course,
hills and all! Two of our runners shared that they
had come all the way from Boston to run because
they’d grown up in a home where their father
physically abused their mother. One of the workhiphipher-race: What a great turnout! Thanks everyone!
volunteers from Page 1
in age (18-90!), as well. Some
are retirees, others are in the
workforce, while others are
in college. Individual volunteers serve as receptionists,
work in the thrift shop, provide overnight coverage at
the shelter, and help prepare
and serve meals. Corporate
and community groups come
to Abby’s House to prepare
killed by her boyfriend when she was 21 and that
There are also volunteers
working outside Abby’s
House to support the organization. Some groups prepare
provide overnight coverage
300 nights/year, contributing nearly 4,000 volunteer
hours. If Abby’s had to hire
staff to provide this coverage,
it would cost us an additional
$70,000! If we had to hire
kitchen staff, it would cost
an additional $40,000. Thrift
store volunteers provide
another $139,000 worth of
ries and felt honored that these people chose to
share them with us.
of the proceeds to Abby’s
House. Two recent examples
of this invaluable support are
HipHipHerRace – a benefit
5K – and Women in Wine.
nized by several area busi-
emergency shelter, volunteers
by’s House. We were deeply touched by these sto-
and donate all or a portion
HipHipHerRace was orga-
cannot be overlooked. At our
they had donated all of her memorial gifts to Ab-
special fundraising events
with larger projects.
volunteers at Abby’s House
See more photos on
our website and our
facebook page!
and deliver meals, or hold
and serve meals and help
The economic impact of the
ers on the course shared that his sister had been
ness women: Sue Manero of
Susan Manero & Associates
hiphipher-race: The race gets off to a smooth start!
Insurance, Susan Lauring
of the Three Rivers Build-
Women in Wine
ing, and Mothers & Com-
Women in Wine is an annual event held by a group
pany – all in West Boylston
of Worcester area women to benefit Abby’s House.
– and Peg Dix of O’Brien &
In its 7th year, this event has raised $122,475 for
Gibbons Insurance Center in
Abby’s House.
Worcester. The event, held
on October 23, was a huge
Sponsors for the 2010 event included: Verizon;
success! More than 150 run-
Counseling & Assessment Clinic of Worcester, Fal-
ners and walkers participat-
lon Clinic, Harvey & Sons, Robert Hennigan Esq.,
ed in the event, which raised
Edith & Tom Lavigne, Worcester Credit Union;
more than $8,500 for Abby’s
Charter Communications; Pioneer Oil.
House!
services, while our reception-
In its seventh year, Women
ists save the organization
in Wine is an annual event
nearly $29,000. Beyond the
organized by a group of
invaluable work they do,
Worcester-area women who
our volunteers save the
have turned their love of
organization more than
wine and fine food into a
$275,000 each year!
vehicle for raising funds to
above:
On The Rise Bakery was
one of the many vendors
serving tasty food and
wine at the event.
right:
Gloria Dilendik & Christine
Zecker are co-chairs of the
Women in Wine event
Continued on Page 4
december 2010
3
non-profit
organization
PAID
worcester, ma
permit #337
52 High Street, Worcester, MA 01609
return service requested
Donate online! www.abbyshouse.org
Social Networking Matters
Recent Grants
Contents:
All Grants were received between 8/1 – 10/31/10
feature:
Our Volunteers
Make a Difference!
• A New Season of Life
• The Budget Report
• Upcoming Events
• Looking at the Issues
• Recent Events
• Necessities
building a network of people who can help.
• Avidia Bank *
• Sovereign Bank *
We use social networking to send out
• Bank of America
• St. Vincent Hospital
Community Benefits
Program
calls for action. When we need help —
• Citizens Bank
other articles:
We’re not just updating our status; we’re
• Hoche-Scofield
Foundation
• Keurig *
• Saint-Gobain
• Wynne Chase
Fund @ the Greater
Worcester Community
Foundation
extra baked goods, winter coats for the
kids in our shelter, or volunteers to help
cook a meal (when we’re short-handed) — can we turn to you? Join our Facebook
community and help us make a difference.
facebook.com/abbyshouse1
* = new source
GO GREEN
new season from Page 1
We are developing an E-Newsletter version of “Bright Spot”. To receive the latest information about
Abby’s House, please contact Alexandra Kartheiser, Communications Coordinator at [email protected]
or call 508.756.5486 ext 35. you can also sign up online at www.abbyshouse .org !
dignity and hope. In two months
big thank you to each one of them! I was back on my own two feet, going to school, moving into my own
My stay at Abby’s house was an ex- apartment, and now, working at
perience I will never forget.
I have met some awesome women and will cherish all of my new
found friends! I am so very grateful for all the help and support
a new job! Thank you all for the
warm hospitality, care and support
that you promised to provide. I will
never forget what you did for me
and for believing in me! I look for-
that I received at this season of my ward to giving back in any way that
life. To Parlee, Tess and all
I can. Thank you again and may
the Staff at Abby’s House, you
certainly fulfilled your mission
in my life by empowering me to
lead a self-directed life filled with
God bless Abby’s House and all the
women who pass through!
Sincerely, Debbie
volunteers from Page 3
Whether our volunteers have
support the women served by
worked for one day or many
Abby’s House. Headed by cofound- years – helping run the operation
at Abby’s House or raising funds
ers Gloria Giustino Dilendik and
Christine Zecker, the 2010 committee was comprised of: Maryellen Anderson, Edla Ann Bloom,
Tracey Borg, Ellyn Brigham,
Paula Cobb, Ann Crowley, Laura
Clemence-Shea, Andrea Figueroa,
Jackie Ford, Angela Genovese,
Amanda Graves, Gaye Groleau,
to support what we do – they
play an invaluable role in helping
us fulfill our mission. Since 1976,
Abby’s House has served more
than 11,000 women and children
from across Central MA. Without
the support of our volunteers, this
would not have been possible!
Cheryl Macera, and Beverly
Presley. To date, for Abby’s House!
4