Summer at Guilford ABC

From President Marie Berry

As the 2020-21 academic year came to an end, we felt HOPE again as the pandemic reached the one-year mark; scholars and staff were vaccinated, patio dining returned, and the anticipation of summer activities brought excitement to everyone.

Guilford ABC scholars enjoyed dinners with host families, a multicultural pool party, high school concerts, junior and senior proms, Guilford High School graduation, and were busy planning their ABC scholar summer programs. We also participated in a wonderful Diversity Workshop led by Dr. Eden-Renee Hayes from Williams College and an ABC alum.

There is no doubt that the 2020 Pandemic made us stronger but not without its challenges. A sense of humor and careful diligence to COVID rules became the norm, along with the ability to “pivot” with the ever-changing rules. I am so proud of our ABC scholars, our Staff tutors, and our Resident Director. They all stayed flexible throughout remote learning, changing schedules, quarantines, cooking meals, playing games, watching movies, and mask-wearing.

Thank you to our ABC volunteers and staff, the Hole in the Wall, and the Guilford community who supported us throughout this year. Congratulations to our ABC Senior, Lauren Cyrus! It was an amazing year to be part of ABC!

Hole in the Wall Back in Full Swing

After the challenging months during COVID that forced prolonged closure of the Hole in the Wall and many protocol changes after the re-opening, things have finally gotten back into full swing. Recent sales proceeds have exceeded pre-pandemic levels and the volume of consignments and donations has kept managers and volunteers very busy. We are extremely grateful for Manager Patty Sullivan and her crackerjack team of volunteers and assistant managers — Christina Babecki, Katie Cooney, Amy Mickelson, and Joan Simonetti. Revenue from the store is GABC’s primary funding source and is critical to the fiscal health of the program. Thank you to the staff, volunteers, donors, consigners and customers who help keep the business thriving!

How can you help? Donate or consign clothing, toys and household goods; come in and shop; spread the word to your friends and family; VOLUNTEER! There are many shifts available, but there is currently critical need for whatever hours you can spare weekly between 10-5 on Tuesdays, 10-4 on Saturdays, or 12-4 on Sundays. Minimal training required for most jobs and plenty of smiles and laughs to go around. You never know what treasures will come through the door — and go back out again with delighted shoppers!

Please call (203) 453-2088 for more information or to make a consignment appointment. Donations can be dropped off or volunteer applications picked up whenever the store is open.

HOLE IN THE WALL WELCOMES VOLUNTEERS!

COVID-19’s aftermath has left Hole in the Wall short of weekly volunteers. We also welcome help with creating appealing merchandise displays. If you would like to help in this friendly, lively environment, please get in touch with Patty Sullivan at 203-453-2088. 

Hole in the Wall, Guilford’s oldest and only non-profit consignment and thrift shop, is located at 35 Boston Street, across from Guilford Savings Bank in the Boston Commons shopping center. All proceeds from sale of goods go to the Guilford A Better Chance program.

A Day in New Haven…

A Day in New Haven…Guilford ABC board members Melonie Swan and Marie Berry took advantage of a sunny Sunday at the end of February to enjoy downtown New Haven with the scholars. The visit included a trip to the Yale Bookstore, a stop at Yale’s Payne Whitney Gymnasium to see where basketball is played and, of course, trying out some famous New Haven style pizza. A walk down Chapel Street led to some ice cream and dessert…delicious!

Zoom Chats with Scholars

Zoom Chats with Scholars
From Kristen Eveland

In early December, Guilford ABC created a platform of 45-minute bi-weekly ZOOM calls with our scholars. The goal was to connect the girls with women in the community and around the country. Lori Pleasure (‘78) kicked off the series and connected us with alumni who shared their stories of Guilford High School, college, and career paths. We also enjoyed talking with Principal Julia Chaffe and ABC board member Regina Demitrack who shared her work at Yale New Haven Hospital. We spoke to Chris Cabrera from Maryland who was highlighted in People Magazine as one of the magazine’s favorite black, women-owned brands. She has created a line of sustainable hand and foot care products called Naturally London.

Our upcoming local guests include Angela Clemmons who started Shoreline Soul Gospel Choir and board member Kyma Ganzer, LEED AP BD+C. who is a project manager at LaRosa Building Group. We will end our series with Sharmese Walcott who is Hartford’s State Attorney and Pfizer scientist Caroline Blakemore. Our hope for the fall is to meet many of the speakers face-to-face and continue our conversations.

Remote Learning

Remote Learning
From Resident Director Lynn Prendergast

The scholars have been very busy with the hybrid learning model, which included being at school Mondays and Tuesdays and working remotely on Wednesdays through Fridays. This schedule, as you can imagine, has presented many unusual challenges and unexpected opportunities. Our tutors, Cori and Sharon, have done a fabulous job helping the girls with time management and their engagement in online classes. It takes a lot to keep 6-8 laptops, a handful of Chromebooks, and a bunch of smartphones connected, and luckily, a WIFI update and boost was completed before the girls returned in the fall. The scholars have become very self-sufficient when it comes to making breakfasts and lunches around their class schedules. They have also bonded, spending more time together than in previous years, watching movies, playing games/cards and cooking in our new kitchen.

Besides learning, we have been trying to be creative with COVID-safe, creative activities. We had our first ever cook-off which featured ramen noodles. Lauren and Jasmine won, and they will be selecting the dish for our next cook-off in the near future. The scholars have participated in Zoom meetings with potential new scholars and in-house tours for prospective students and their families. Our COVID-safe outings have included painting pottery, going to It! at Jordan’s Furniture (the world’s largest indoor ropes course), and playing laser tag. We enjoyed a Super Bowl party sponsored by the Student Life committee complete with decorations, a delicious menu of tailgate food and a football pool to win gift card prizes.

The students have made the best of a difficult year. We talk fondly about our normal activities such as visiting with host families, GHS afterschool activities and being able to go to friends’ houses without masks. Even though our three newest scholars have not yet had a typical ABC experience, they have done their best to stay positive. Luckily, we have been able to stay healthy thanks in great part to the girls’ consistent following of the COVID protocols put in place by the ABC Board to keep us safe.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in person, through Zoom meetings and phone calls. We greatly appreciate the meals provided by so many Board members when Jeanne was out sick with COVID. Your support and encouragement are essential!

Guilford A Better Chance Part of Upcoming Charity Golf Classic

Guilford A Better Chance, known by many as Guilford ABC, will once again be a beneficiary of funds raised at the 12th annual MJ Petretto Golf Classic taking place on Monday, June 28th at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford. Since 1974, Guilford ABC has welcomes 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. The MJ Petretto Foundation has been a benefactor of Guilford ABC for several years now through its annual Golf Classic. The popular charity golf event also supports several other worthwhile charities such as Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, and two other Guilford-based organizations, Shoreline Arts Alliance and VNA Community Health Care. To learn more about participating in this Golf Event, which includes an after-golf dinner and auction hosted by Guilford's own Cadillac John Saville, go to mjpfoundation.org.

ABOVE: As a result of the 11th Annual M.J. Petretto Foundation Golf Classic held late in 2020 with full COVID protocols in place, MJ Foundation president M.J. Petretto and board member Linda Remington presented a check for $4,500 to Guilford ABC board member Jeff Zeitlin and president Marie Berry.

Shop Hole in the Wall, Support Guilford ABC

Shop Hole in the Wall, Support Guilford ABC

Since reopening in July after a four month COVID-19 shutdown, the Hole in the Wall Consignment and Thrift Shop has been a busy place — busy despite adherence to safety protocols limiting the number of patrons allowed in the store at one time. Not surprising, the flow of donations and consignments has been brisk with so many of us cooped up in our homes! Household items and spring clothing are being accepted now. (Donations are accepted anytime, consignments by appointment.)

While not quite back to where it was before closing in March, we are optimistic that revenue from 2021 sales will recover and continue to provide vital support for Guilford ABC, as its primary source of funding. Thank you to everyone who has continued to donate, consign and shop!

We also extend heartfelt thanks to Patty Sullivan and her team of managers who have kept things running smoothly despite the loss of many volunteers who did not feel safe resuming their shifts during the pandemic. If you have time on your hands and want to spend a few fun hours each week helping out, please contact Patty at hiwabc@gmail.com, call (203) 453-2088, or stop in and fill out an application.

Thank You Bishop’s Orchards!

A huge “thank you” to Bishop’s Orchards for selecting Guilford ABC as its February “round up” beneficiary, which resulted in more than $4,000 in donations. Bishop’s has been a supporter of ABC for many years, and we are so grateful to them.

Guilford ABC College Education Fund

The Guilford ABC College Education Fund at the Guilford Foundation has received a wonderful $50,000 challenge grant. We’re part way there and need additional gifts totaling $30,000 to meet this generous challenge.

The fund provides modest tuition assistance to each of our graduating seniors throughout her four year of college as long as she maintains an overall B average and stays on track to graduate in four years. For more information, contact Connie Dickinson.