Spring 2014 - Abby`s House

Abby’s
House
shelter • housing • advocacy
..
Vol. 32, Issue 1
bright spot
online: www.abbyshouse.org/brightspot
SPRING 2014
Abby’s House: A Space to Grow
Abby’s House resident Rose Rodriguez at
work in the Abby’s House Reception Office.
Rose first came to Abby’s House as a 4-year- milestones with her and her family, helped her
old girl with her brother and her mother, who obtain art classes, and in her words, “gave her
was fleeing domestic violence. She remembers the best childhood she could have.”
living at the shelter and then in one of the
“Whatever opportunities were out there,
affordable housing units at 19 Crown Street. they made sure that we had them. If we ever
What she remembers most is then-director needed anything, they would help.”
Elaine Lamoureux and the Abby’s House staff,
After graduating from Doherty High School,
whose offices were next door.
Rose attended Worcester State University.
“They were like family. They always gave us While a student, she felt overwhelmed by the
attention and were so loving
demands of college life and family
“I
can’t
thank
Abby’s
toward me, my brother
issues and also struggled with an
House enough for giving
and my mom,” she recalls,
anxiety disorder that paralyzed her.
“they were strong, powerful
When she left WSU, she needed
me space to grow, giving
women, my role models.”
to
find housing, and more than
me hope, and giving me
According to Rose, Abby’s
anything, Rose says, she needed her
peace of mind.”
House staff celebrated
Continued on page 4
news from abby’s house
recent events
Remembering Jody Palmer
Vintage and Designer Styles Thrill Audience at
Abby’s House Thrift Shop Spring Fashion Show
The staff, volunteers and residents of Abby’s House were very
saddened by the passing of Jody Palmer, an amazing woman who was
the driving force behind the annual EMC auction, and who coordinated
the donors and volunteers that made the event so successful each year.
Abby’s House database coordinator Marjorie Ropp recalls that Jody first
came to 52 High Street to drop off donated coats, and after meeting
with Abby’s House staff and residents, immediately wanted to do more
to help raise a larger donation.
Jody’s idea for an auction at EMC Corporation’s Enterprise & MidRange Systems Division, where she worked as a program manager,
The Abby’s House Thrift Shop Spring Fashion Show, “Women
Helping Women – Celebrate Our Connections” was a fabulous success,
raising over $4600 for the Abby’s House shelter! While the attendees
sipped tea and munched sandwiches, the models paraded down the red
carpet in the Abby’s House Women’s Center. Because the models ranged
in size and age from a young 20 to young-at-heart 84, the show offered
something for everyone.
They displayed a variety of
spring and summer fashions
previously
purchased
or
currently available through the
Abby’s House Thrift Shop, from
sundresses to business suits to
evening wear. Their presentation
and poise set off a buying frenzy
in the Thrift Shop, with sales
after the show totaling over
$1700, which also benefits the
shelter!
Thank you to the incredibly
dedicated volunteer Fashion
Show Committee, who organized
this event: Isa Bayon, and Pat
Korandanis, co-chairs, Alaina
Olson, fashion coordinator,
Mari Marchand models a summer sundress
Pam
Hanson, and Annie Wolfe.
with accessories and a dazzling smile
Continued on page 3
Continued on page 3
EMC Corporation’s Enterprise & Mid-Range Systems Division (EMRS) employees
held their 12th annual auction in December, and raised $13,671 from hundreds
of items donated and/or handcrafted by EMC staff. In January, Abby’s House
Development Director, Justina Lachapelle, (far left) received a check presented by
the committee members who worked on this year’s auction: (from left to right) Shari
Ridgeway, Jody Palmer, Jill Kelly, Linette Kelley, Verna Dumas, and Judy Sawyer.
Welcome Edla!
Abby’s
House
shelter • housing • advocacy
..
52 High Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: 508-756-5486
Abby’s 24-Hr. Phone:
774-272-0176
Fax: 508-798-3299
website address
BRIGHT SPOT is reproduced on our
website: www.abbyshouse.org
Annette Rafferty
Founder
Edla Ann Bloom
Executive Director
board of directors
Susan Manero, President
Peggy M. Dix, V. President
Virginia Conti, Treasurer
Christine Judycki-Crepeault, V. Treasurer
Ann Pingitore-Spring, Clerk
Kelly Brissette
Mary Chenaille
Marie Fusaro Davis
Melanie Demaris
Patty Doherty
Alice Livdahl
Lynne McKenney-Lydick
Patti McKone
Kelly Thayer
Carolyn Whitney
bright spot
Vol. 32, Issue 1
MAY 2014
Published three times per year by:
Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc.
Office of Communications
52 High Street
Worcester, MA 01609
2
serve as a consultant and help write
When Edla Ann Bloom
grants while a committee conducted
accepted the position of
a search for a new Development
Executive Director in October,
Director. Without hesitation, she
it was not her first time on the
said yes.
staff of Abby’s House. Mrs.
“Writing grants to help Abby’s
Bloom served Abby’s House as
House be financially sustainable
Development Director from 2008
was a natural extension of teaching
to 2010, having previously held
financial literacy,” Mrs. Bloom
the position of Executive Director
says, “Just being here I found how
for AIDS Project Worcester from
Edla Ann Bloom
important Abby’s House is to the
1999 to 2008. Due to medical
issues, she entered retirement in
whole Worcester community. And I
2010, but still wanted to remain part of Abby’s also realized how much I missed working here.”
House in some way.
When Tess Sneesby and Julie Komenos
“Living in the same neighborhood, Abby’s decide to change their roles at Abby’s House
House was always in my thoughts,” Mrs. Bloom last fall, the Board of Directors asked Edla Ann
says, “I’ve always felt connected to the mission Bloom to become the next Executive Director.
and work of Abby’s House and to the needs of
“Becoming Executive Director is the natural
the women.”
extension of my continual commitment to the
After successful surgeries addressed her Abby’s House community,” she says.
medical issues, Mrs. Bloom returned to Abby’s
Previous to working in the non-profit sector, Mrs.
House in 2012 as a volunteer, teaching financial Bloom held managerial roles in the banking industry,
literacy to the women one-on-one.
eventually becoming senior vice president at Bank of
“I was very pleased that I could use my New England. She also has ten years of experience in
financial skills to help the women to be the utilities industry as the Director of Electric Services
financially successful,” she says. “At the same for the Holden Municipal Light Department. In
time, I learned more about the barriers women 1992, Mrs. Bloom became the first women to be elected
have to overcome to run a household and to Chair of the Board of the Massachusetts Municipal
learn to handle money.”
Wholesale Electric Company. Then-Governor Weld
Volunteering renewed her commitment recognized her for her accomplishments in the utilities
to Abby’s House, Mrs. Bloom says, and she industry by naming July 9th “Edla Ann Bloom Day.”
realized how much she missed working here. Abby’s House is very fortunate to have someone with
When the Development Director departed last her level of expertise and warmly welcomes Edla Ann
year, Tess Sneesby asked if Mrs. Bloom would Bloom as Executive Director.
Four-Legged Friends
visit Abby’s House
In January, Paws for People, a local affiliate
of Pet Partners coordinated through Tufts
Veterinary School, began visiting Abby’s
House. At each visit, two trained therapy
dogs provide positive interactions and
unconditional love to the women and children
under the supervision of their handlers.
For residents who owned pets before coming
to Abby’s House, Paws for People dogs are
especially therapeutic, providing a feeling of
normalcy and motivation towards their goals.
To date, plenty of puppy love and doggy
kisses have been given by Cooper and Foster,
two Australian Shepherds owned by Maggie
Griesing, Livy, a Cavalier Spaniel- Bichon
Frisé mix owned by Sue Stacey, and Phoebe, a
Maggie Griesing with Cooper, Abby’s House residents
Jan and Kerry, and Carolyn Howe with Phoebe
“Labra-doodle”, Labrador Retriever – Poodle
mix owned by Carolyn Howe, who is a former
Abby’s House Board Member. To read more
about pet therapy, visit: www.pawsforpeople.
org and www.petpartnersusa.org.
volume 32, issue 1
Thrift Shop Fashion Show from Page 1
A special thank you to Patti Bilodeau of Paul
Conzo Salon and Karon Shea of Shea Model
Management, who served as Fashion Show
emcees, and to Kaz Hardy of Rivkah’s Hair
Studio and Jaclee Lamoureux with her students
from Toni & Guy Beauty Academy, for lending
their hair styling and makeup skills to bring out
the beautiful in all our wonderful models.
Thank you to the Abby’s House staff and
extended family, volunteers and thrift shop
customers who glamorously modeled outfits
for the fashion show: Jean Adler, Staisha
Chavis, Lashonda Jerry, Tynetta Jerry,
Maria L’Annunziata, Pat Korandanis, Mari
Marchand, Katrina McNamara, Alaina
Olson, Mary Plummer, Annette Rafferty,
Ann Schneider, Peg Spaulding and Maxine
Vance.
Thank you to the following businesses and
individuals who sponsored “Women Helping
Women,” through donations and items for
the silent auction: Jean Adler, Dr. Frederick
Bayon, Blushing Bee, Capelli Avanti, Ciao
Bella, Paul Conzo Salon, Ecotools and Real
Hats were very popular at “Women Helping Women.”
Techniques of Gurnee, IL, Jed’s Hardware,
Jefferson Jewelers, Arlene Lian, Lindt
Chocolates of Stratham, NH, McKinley’s
Liquors, Mexicali Grill, Penny Morgan,
Nal’s Paints, New England Backpacker,
Niche Restaurant Group, O’Connor’s
Restaurant, PA Cleaners, Bruce Plummer,
Red Box Video Rentals, Sheep Shack,
Showcase Cinemas North, Specialty
Sandwich Shop, Starbucks, Sweets and
Java, Thai Island, Top Shop Salon & Day
Spa, UBS Gray Group, Val’s Restaurant,
Wachusett Brewery, Worcester Center for
Crafts, and especially Gail at Trader Joe’s
who provided all the flowers for the table
arrangements. Please show your thanks for their
generosity by frequenting these local businesses.
SPRING 2014
Edna Sexton, Kim Solod-Jette, Kathy Stalie,
Mel Sullivan, Mattie Vance, Kristine Wise,
Rita Witman.
Last but not least, thank you to our supporters
who made “Women Helping Women Celebrate our Connections” a very successful
fundraiser for the Abby’s House shelter!
Stay tuned for the next Fashion Show in 2015!
The “Kitchen Brigade” volunteers prepared platters
of delicious sandwiches and pastries.
Thank you to the many Abby’s House
volunteers and staff whose hard work made
the Spring Fashion Show possible. These
volunteers recruited models, designed outfits,
solicited silent auction items, organized and
staffed the thrift shop, designed and printed
the programs and table cards, made sandwiches
and baked desserts, set up tables, served food
and tea, and ran the silent auction, as well as
the myriad of tasks that needed to be done
to make this event run as smoothly as it did.
Thank you to: Jean Adler, Jean Anger,
Maryanne Beardsley, Ivy Beaudreau,
Jillian Berlinski, Ellen Clough, Cortney
Desplaines,
Molly
Donahue,
Leah
Drapeau,
Kayla
Gorham,
Adriana
Guerrero, Lisa Hammel Smith, Nora Keil,
Marianne Kennedy, Julie Komenos, Justina
Lachapelle, Sandra Landau, Macey Lefevre,
Ginny Lindsay, Pam Lumenello, Virginia
Marchant, Maggie McEvoy, Katrina
McNamara, Penny Morgan, Sharlene
O’Connor, Nina Posinski, Marjorie Ropp,
Maxine Vance rocks her denim outfit.
View more great photos of the Spring
Fashion Show on the Abby’s House Facebook
page: www.facebook.com/abbyshouse1
Silent Auction bidders made the event successful.
Remembering Jody from Page 1
started small, first raising a few thousand dollars
in 2002. Each year the auction grew larger and
more popular with the EMC employees as
word of the handcrafted gifts and variety of
donated items spread, eventually raising over
ten thousand dollars on average, with one
auction alone raising over $17,000 in 2011.
Ms. Palmer also lent her creativity and talent
to the auction, donating beautiful quilts
and delicious baked goods she personally
handcrafted.
“Jody was a kind and generous spirit who
will be greatly missed,” Ms. Ropp said, “We at
Abby’s House are so grateful for her efforts to
support us and all the women we serve.”
Executive Director Edla Bloom remembers
Ms. Palmer for her “heart of gold.”
“When she asked, ‘how are you?’ she really
wanted to know,” Mrs. Bloom said. “Jody had
the biggest heart and gave so much to the
women and children of Abby’s House. She
touched so many lives we will never forget her.”
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A Place to Grow from Page 1
own space to be healthy, physically and mentally.
Rose found affordable housing at Abby’s
that enabled her to focus on her goals and get
back on track. She began working part-time as
a receptionist at Abby’s House, and as a shelter
advocate at the YWCA. She found a therapist,
and now her anxiety is under control. Rose
reports that she hasn’t had any panic attacks in
almost two years.
“I figured out who I was,” she says, “I learned
to love myself and not beat myself up.”
Rose also participated in the Abby’s House
financial literacy program with Edla Ann
Bloom, who helped her create a budget and a
savings plan.
“Edla helped me to become more financially
independent, and make better financial
decisions. She held me accountable but was also
my personal cheerleader,” Rose says.
While saving for a car, Rose has plans to
return to Worcester State University next year
and major in Urban Studies.
“Before, thinking about school gave me a
panic attack, but I am stronger and can handle a
lot more now,” Rose says.
As a young adult with safe housing and the
support of Abby’s House advocates, Rose looks
forward to a bright future, and she considers
herself very lucky.
“I can’t imagine my life without Abby’s,” she
says, “I can’t thank Abby’s House enough for
giving me space to grow, giving me hope and
giving me peace of mind.”
Needs List! To see a list of everyday
Like us at www.facebook.com/abbyshouse1 today!
household items that we need, please visit:
www.abbyshouse.org/needs-list.
Recent Grants
All grants were received between 11/01/13 and 04/01/14
See inside for more photos of
the Abby’s House Thrift Shop
Spring Fashion Show!
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Albert W. Rice Foundation
Boston Foundation
Citizen’s Bank Foundation
Fidelity Charitable Fund
Fletcher Foundation
George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation
GWCF: Marla Maykel Fund
GWCF: Jean & Myles McDonough Fund
GWCF: James R. Buonomo Fund
Sisters of Notre Dame
St. Francis Community Health Care Fund
Verizon Foundation HopeLine
W.R. Berkley Corporation Charitable Foundation
Wishing You Well, Alex
Alex Kartheiser came to Abby’s House in
the spring of 2010. She graduated from DePaul
University in Chicago with a bachelor’s degree
in Communications, and after working at Shaker
Advertising in Oak Park, IL for three years,
Ms. Kartheiser put her skills to work for Abbys
House as the Communications Coordinator.
In September Ms. Kartheiser accepted a
new position at the Central Massachusetts
Housing Alliance as a Career & Educational
Development
Specialist,
coordinating
job placement for individuals within
CMHA’s housing and shelter facilities.
Ms. Kartheiser says that her experience at
Abby’s House was unforgettable, and prepared
her well for her current direct service role,
working with people in housing and shelter
programs.
“Having the opportunity to cultivate
relationships with the women and children of
Abby’s House was one of my favorite parts
of the position. I carry their stories and their
spirits with me wherever I go,” she says. “The
staff at Abby’s are the most hardworking and
understanding I have had the honor to work
beside. They truly live the mission on a daily
basis.”
Photo at right: Alex Kartheiser (r.) & Abby’s House
founder Annette Rafferty (l.)
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