Guilford ABC 50th Anniversary Benefit Concert

Guilford A Better Chance (GABC) is planning a weekend of activities to celebrate 50 years of the program, its current scholars and alumnae. The centerpiece of the celebration will be a benefit concert. All the way from London, Mo Pleasure will return to his hometown to headline the concert, which will also feature students from the GHS Music Department, including GHS Voices directed by special guest Angela Clemmons, and emcees Stephanie Simoni and Roger Susanin from WFSB, on Saturday, October 19, 7:00pm, at the Guilford High School Performing Arts Center.

Mo Pleasure is a former member and musical director of the renowned Earth, Wind & Fire. He also served as musical director for Bette Midler, and has collaborated with artists such as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson and David Foster, to name just a few.

Angela Clemmons, in addition to leading the hugely popular Shoreline Soul choir for more than 20 years, has been a professional singer for over 40 years working with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Elton John, Roberta Flack, among many others.

This special event celebrating five decades of GABC will be emceed by Stephanie Simoni and Roger Susanin of WFSB/Channel 3.

Guilford A Better Chance invites academically talented young women of color from under-represented communities to attend Guilford High School and to enjoy the many benefits of living in the Guilford community. The program's goal is to lessen the educational divide, one scholar at a time, and to prepare these scholars for a lifetime of achievement.

Cook Trombetta Serves Up Tasty Meals

Keeping the Guilford ABC scholars happily well-fed is the task of the cook, Mr. Taylor Trombetta. He does everything from planning menus, ordering food, shopping, and cleaning up. “I like to keep the menu familiar and palatable, but not boring or too extreme,” he explains his culinary philosophy. “Italian dishes come naturally to me, especially manicotti!”

Taylor cooks four dinners each week. For the other meals, Lynn Prendergast shared that the girls often get takeout. When they visit restaurants, favorites are Mecha and House of Naan. And when the young scholars cook at home, it’s usually a pasta dish or chicken. “They often consult with their mothers for a recipe,” Lynn added.

Taylor grew up cooking and gradually gained confidence to accept the key responsibility as cook for GABC. He learned much from his father, Jeff Trombetta, who teaches hospitality at Norwalk Community College. Taylor

is a 2011 graduate of Guilford High School and also is an agent for Raveis Realty.

Hundreds of New Items for Sale at Hole in the Wall Shop

Hole in the Wall MUST be the busiest consignment/thrift shop in the area!” says Patty Sullivan, manager. “We often have a line at the register and people just love shopping for their next treasure. It helps that we play some pretty great music throughout the day. We are grateful for all the lovely donations we receive and again ask that they be dropped off inside the shop during business hours only.” Shop hours are: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m.

Want to earn a little pin money for your items? You can consign them at various times of the year. “The consignment schedule fills up so fast, despite taking in six consignment appointments every day. Fall consignment runs from August 1st through October 31st. We are currently booking fall consignment appointments into mid-September, so make that phone call now if you want to consign. 203-453-2088,” reminds Patty.

“The Hole in the Wall staff and volunteers literally process hundreds of new items for sale in a single day! For optimal bargain hunting and spectacular finds, one should stop in often during the week. Our savviest shoppers come in quite often to find the newest and best items,” she said.

Thank you Sponsors and Donors!

The Guilford Foundation has been an amazing partner with GABC for many years,” said past-co-president Georgia Cosgrove. “They have funded event sponsorships, including coming on board as a Lead Sponsor for our upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration in October in partnership with Guilford Savings Bank. The Guilford Foundation has awarded GABC several grants for operating support and overseen donor advised funds that provide annual grants.”

Since 2018, participants on the Guilford Foundation have worked with former GABC board member and current Advisory Committee member, Connie Dickinson, on establishment and management of the GABC Education Fund at the Foundation.

Georgia Cosgrove explained, “This fund provides college scholarships for four years to GABC program graduates. The Guilford A Better Chance program is one of the only ABC programs in the country to guarantee scholarship awards to former scholars. We are very grateful to The Guilford Foundation for its ongoing support of Guilford ABC.”

Many thanks also to all of the generous donors who made donations to CFGNH’s Great Give in May.

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Guilford ABC is grateful for its Community Sponsors, many of whom provide pro-bono or reduced rate services to help us with our mission as well as our house, grounds, and Hole in the Wall.

Corporate Sponsor
The Guilford Savings Bank

Community Sponsors
Big Y
Guilford Community Fund
Guilford Newcomers’ Club
The Estate Artists (Sondra Baseggio)
Estate of Milton S. Marcus Charitable Gift Fund
MJ Petretto Foundation
Stop & Shop
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
The Guilford Foundation

Community Supporters/
In-kind Donations
Bishop’s Market
College Matters, Madison
Kerry Schutz Photography
Madison Tutoring, LLC
Milano Secure Storage
Carl Johnson, The Wood Rack, Branford

End of Year Activities

Tamojah enjoys a walk with Laura Berkowitz Gilbert’s dog Louie; a few parting shots of graduating seniors Andrea and Jasmine including prom night and college sweatshirts; Kyra, Jazzy, Irene, and Tamojah take a pottery class with Brian Jones of Brian R Jones Studio.

Graduating Scholars Lauded at Celebration Dinner

Former and current host brothers and sisters with some scholars. From left to right Jackson Howard, Sergio Garcia-Perez, Andrea, Tamojah, Jazzy, Abby Fisayo, Irene, Kyra and Izzy Fisayo.

More than 75 supporters of Guilford A Better Chance gathered at the Guilford Community Center on May 21 to hear adult speakers one after another remark on how the GABC young women inspire them.

“They tackle challenges and are involved in many activities beyond their intense studies,” said Lynn Prendergast, Resident Director who lives in an apartment at the GABC house and interacts with them many hours a week.

Kilee Simon, who graduated in 2023 and is attending Boston University, returned to describe her House “sisters” as “amazing, beautiful, and smart.” She advised them to “imagine life as an empty mystery box awaiting decisions to fill it up. Life is like clay, just waiting to be sculpted.”

Guilford High School principal Julia Chaffe praised the two graduating seniors as assets to the school community with their individual gifts.

Laura Berkowitz Gilbert, co-president, announced that Kyra Amani, rising junior, will be a student representative to the Guilford Board of Education. Kyra was instrumental in forming the People of Color affinity group of the high school, fostering social action.

Board co-president Judy Wright thanked Eileen Limoncelli who organized the whole celebration. Judy finishes her two-year position as co-president but will be remaining as an Academic Advisor to the scholars and a member of the Advisory Committee. Nancy Patton will move from Vice-President to Co-President. Melissa Dayton is leaving the Board of Trustees and will remain an Academic Advisor as well as a member of the Advisory Board. Charlene Blake is moving off the Board of Directors and will be part of the Selection Committee and the Advisory Board.

Financial support from the Guilford College Education Fund (administered by the Guilford Foundation) will continue to assist GABC college attendees during their college years as it has for the past four years.

Parents of the two 2024 graduates came forward to thank the Guilford community. Andrea’s father called the town “a great community.” Jasmine’s father said, “It’s not enough to say thank you. These young women went through many changes, with many opportunities in a welcoming school environment.” Andrea’s mother called out: “Pay it forward, girls!”

Enjoying a menu donated by Pasta Avest along with supporters’ donations of deviled eggs, sandwiches, and desserts was long-time resident John Beckmann, husband of the late Adrienne Beckmann who in 1971 was instrumental in the founding of Guilford ABC and the Hole in the Wall retail store that benefits GABC.

The many round tables were decorated with ikebana flower arrangements from Folklore Flower Company in Madison, donated by Kate McNellis, owner.

Time Flies

From Co-President Judy Wright

Time flies. We get to a certain age and notice that time passes much too quickly. I don’t know when this transition happens, but for me I think it was quite a while ago. I’m reminded of this because our two senior students, Andrea and Jasmine, are graduating in a few days but it seems like they just moved to Guilford, started our ABC program and began Guilford High School. We’ve been fortunate enough to watch these two remarkable young women experience high school life and support them during their journey. Andrea will attend Wellesley College and Jasmine will attend Drexel University. Like the Guilford ABC scholars who came before them, they will always have our support and love.

Other transitions include two long-time board members moving off the BOD and joining our advisory board. Charlene Blake volunteered for numerous positions including president during her many years with Guilford ABC and, fortunately for us, will continue as a member of our Selection Committee. Melissa Dayton, also a long-term volunteer on the BOD will join the advisory board while continuing her role as academic advisor to one of our scholars. A heartfelt thank you to Charlene and Melissa for your dedication and willingness to help the program in so many ways. I learned so much from you both.

The two students that graduated from Guilford High School during the pandemic are on their way to their next life experience. T-Juani graduated from Trinity College in May and will be working in NYC. Julia has one more semester at NYU and plans to apply to medical school. They both benefited from the College Education Fund, and we have Connie Dickinson to thank for developing this resource. Current college students that benefit from these grants include Lauren at Hampton University, Arianna at Tufts University, Janelle at Muhlenberg College, and Kilee at Boston University. Andrea and Jasmine will be using this money to help pay for their college expenses.

My 2-years as ABC Co-President is soon to be done. I have worked with two creative and smart women and learned a lot from them both. Georgia Cosgrove and I worked together during my first year and I appreciate learning from an experienced development person and strong leader. This year I’ve had the pleasure of working with Laura Berkowitz-Gilbert and I appreciate her hard work, integrity and vision for the program. I’m not going anywhere and will continue my involvement with the academic affairs committee and the selection committee.

Thank you to everyone involved with Guilford ABC — our donors, our current and former board members, our students and their families. We are very grateful to the program’s Resident Director, Lynn Prendergast and after-school tutor Sharon.

Although Guilford ABC is foremost an academic program, it’s also a place for us all, students and adults, to learn about life, meet new people and broaden our experiences.

Have a happy summer! t

Graduating Seniors Jasmine and Andrea Choose Drexel and Wellesley

After exploring more than a dozen colleges, the two graduating seniors will be heading off to colleges in Philadelphia and the Boston area. Jasmine Laryea (above left) will be entering Drexel University in Philadelphia this fall as a health sciences major. Her choice was influenced by the university’s program that combines the academic program with cooperative “real-world” experience in hospital settings. Described by Lynn Prendergast, Resident Director for GABC, Jasmine is “kind, yet not a pushover, finding humor in difficult circumstances.”

Guilford High School principal, Julia Chaffe, lauded Jasmine as “a most patient teacher who doesn’t talk down and is always encouraging to others. She has keen insight. She often comes up with a single sentence to cut to the chase with a clarity that is rare and appreciated.”

Jasmine’s extra-curricular life at Guilford High School included theater, dance team, basketball, debate team, and track. At the annual Celebration dinner in May, she spoke of experiencing “real Guilford pride, and thanked her family “for their love and support and trusting me to live far away from home.” Her voice full of emotion and warmth, Jasmine expressed her gratitude to her host family, the academic advisors, and her five GABC house sisters, saying “I admire each and every one of you!”

Andrea Kaluma (above right) has chosen Wellesley College and has not yet declared a major. At the annual Celebration dinner, Andrea stressed the importance of the A Better Chance mission, “drawing together all cultures with smart, talented, curious students to develop leaders.” She thanked her parents and host family and Lynn Prendergast, Resident Director, saying “your job is not easy!”

Andrea’s love of singing included performing with the Guilford High School “Voices” ensemble which led to a solo performance at a spring benefit. Her passion for reading often has her disappearing into a book and loving academic life.

Principal Julia Chaffe smiled broadly as she related how Andrea was “always genuinely happy to see me – and that is rare from high school students! She has a beautiful way of making people comfortable, at ease.”

Ms. Chaffe gave the two graduating scholars the book, “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

More than 75 supporters of Guilford ABC attended the Celebration dinner honoring Andra and Jasmine on May 21. As the program was ending, the four parents of the two graduating seniors made their way to the front of the Whitfield Room at the Guilford Community Center to thank the volunteers with Guilford ABC.

“We trusted you with our children, and you took good care of them beautifully.”

Quilt Patches Capture the Spirit of Guilford A Better Chance

The six colorful quilt patches designed for our 50th GABC anniversary are more than just a pretty pattern – they are infused with meaning.

The concept of a quilt perfectly captures the spirit of the Guilford ABC house. A quilt is made up of smaller fabric pieces of different patterns that are arranged in an intricate layout and stitched together to make a cohesive glorious blanket known as a patchwork quilt.

So too, our scholars arrive from diverse backgrounds and hometowns to live together at 143 Church Street. As they spend time together in the Guilford community, they form tight bonds that will last a lifetime.

In the quilt design you see in this newsletter, each of those patterns was created based on the individual interests of each student. Co-president Laura Berkowitz Gilbert, a trained graphic designer, talked with each student to get a sense of their unique interests or point of view and developed a design accordingly

GABC 50th Anniversary Benefit Concert

Guilford A Better Chance (GABC) is planning a weekend of activities to celebrate 50 years of the program, its current scholars and alumnae. The centerpiece of the celebration will be a benefit concert. All the way from London, Mo Pleasure will return to his hometown to headline the concert, which will also feature students from the GHS Music Department, including GHS Voices directed by special guest Angela Clemmons, and emcees Stephanie Simoni and Roger Susanin from WFSB, on Saturday, October 19, 7:00pm, at the Guilford High School Performing Arts Center.

Mo Pleasure is a former member and musical director of the renowned Earth, Wind & Fire. He also served as musical director for Bette Midler, and has collaborated with artists such as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson and David Foster, to name just a few.

Angela Clemmons, in addition to leading the hugely popular Shoreline Soul choir for more than 20 years, has been a professional singer for over 40 years working with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Elton John, Roberta Flack, among many others.

This special event celebrating five decades of GABC will be emceed by Stephanie Simoni and Roger Susanin of WFSB/Channel 3.

Tickets are now on sale at guilfordabc.org/50th-anniversary. Don’t wait, past GABC concerts have all been sell-outs!

If you would like to sponsor the 50th Anniversary Benefit Concert or advertise in the event program booklet, please visit www.guilfordabc.org/50th-anniversary. For questions about sponsorships, contact Georgia Cosgrove: gcosmook@gmail.com or (630) 258-6515. For questions about advertising, contact Abby Goodman agoodman0216@gmail.com

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