When a new scholar comes to the Guilford ABC house, she is matched with a local family who have volunteered to share their family life during the high school years. While each girl currently spends one Friday-Saturday overnight each month at the home of her host family, the GABC girls and their host family members often report that their relationships deepen and their bonds continue over many years, long after graduation.
Valerie Price Cornelious came from Boston to Guilford ABC in 1974 in the very first group of scholars. She says of her host “mother” Gretchen MacKenzie: “It’s been over 50 years since I came to the program and met Gretchen. We’ve stayed in contact all this time. She’s been a stalwart in the program, and a wonderful host parent to me and to other scholars over the years
Valerie remembers how wonderful it was to get together with GABC alums and Gretchen, a few years ago, to attend one of the scholars’ weddings in Manhattan. “It was a special time for the entire group, as we all have a special bond with her. Gretchen’s warm presence helped ease the transition to Guilford, and all the scholars who got to know her really appreciated her for that. Even now I can call Gretchen about anything! We pick up right where we left off. I felt Gretchen was always looking out for me and the other scholars in such a warm and caring way. That’s why I always enjoyed being in the MacKenzie home. The whole family always made me feel comfortable.”
Cheryl Harvey McPherson also entered the GABC program in 1974 and experienced two host families, the Pleasure family and the Ghilardi family. She loved getting to know host brother Morris Pleasure, “who is such a successful keyboard musician!” Morris has often returned to Guilford to perform on several GABC anniversaries for the community as well. His father was principal of A.W. Cox Elementary School. Cheryl said that this Black family helped her “further integrate into the community.”
Her experiences with the Ghilardi family have continued through the years. “I’m still in touch with their daughter, Debra-Anne Myers. Mrs. Jackie Ghilardi was just fantastic. In June 1977, six of my family members – my father Kenneth, mother Alberta, siblings Darren and Teresa, plus three nieces from Philadelphia – celebrated my graduation with me. The Ghilardis generously hosted all of us at their farm. She was a great hostess, very embracing.”
Both GABC graduates spoke of the “solid foundation the host families and the program gave us, with so many people supporting us.” Cheryl mentioned that acclimating to the academic expectations and having to be “kind of perfect,” was “a growing process” that the host families helped them navigate all the way to graduation in 1977.
A current host family, the DePetris family, have been hosting GABC scholar Kyra who is graduating this year from Guilford High School.
“Hosting Kyra has felt very natural,” said host mom Mags DePetris. “Our daughter Mainey was leaving for college when Kyra came to us as a freshman,” joining two sons, Braden and Quincy, and another daughter Tayte, also a senior ready to graduate this year.
Mags was actually not familiar with Guilford ABC when a GABC Board member commented that the DePetris family would be a great host family. The DePetris family then pursued the opportunity.
As a host family, Mags said “we try to create a place for sharing struggles, being supportive of her efforts, helping with college applications and visits. We wanted Kyra to be more a part of our family. We love her sensitivity, social awareness, and emotional intelligence.”
In addition to having Kyra join their family, Mags said “we’ve loved getting to know Kyra’s family – her mother Leila is amazing! My favorite time is when Kyra’s family comes to visit us, for her Voices performances and plays – such a joy to be together, we two mutual moms. Kyra is dynamic thanks to her mother Leila who is beautiful inside and out. We’ve enjoyed extending that love Kyra already felt from her family.”
The DePetris family has also welcomed other GABC scholars to their home for parties and other events. “This is what a family does,” she said.
“Over these nearly four years, it’s been a beautiful thing to get to know Kyra, and we’ll miss her when she goes to college – we hope she often pops in!”
Guilford ABC 