Summer Plans for Our Scholars

Rising senior Arianna Alvarez is traveling to Barcelona, Spain through CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) for four weeks of language and cultural immersion, living with a local host family.

Rising junior Janelle Wilkinson will spend two weeks at Colby College in Maine with EXPLO, accompanying doctors and nurses on their rounds, exploring a variety of medical specialties.

Rising junior Kilee Simon will attend At the Well Conference, focusing on leadership and college preparation. She will also attend the Writopia Lab essay writing program in New York City.

Rising sophomore Jasmine Laryea is attending an online program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, Pre-Medical Professions and the Health Sciences. She also plans to work at her mother’s restaurant and volunteer at a local food bank.

GABC Hosts an End of Year Beach Picnic

In June, the Guilford ABC scholars hosted a beach picnic with other CT ABC Houses from Darien, Westport, Madison and Simsbury. They planned a food truck offering various tacos, quesadillas and churros. Over 40 scholars and house resident staff attended and each house contributed beverages and desserts. They enjoyed a day at Chittendon Park where they had a fun afternoon of food, games, swimming and music! 

Guilford A Better Chance Annual Celebration

In May, we hosted our Annual A Better Chance Celebration, hosted at the home of one of our board members, Elisa Milano. The evening recognizes and celebrates our GABC graduating seniors and our alumnae as they share they experiences and uplifting stories! This year our guest speakers included Naralys Sinanis, ABC Alum & GHS class of 2002 and our GHS Principal, Julia Chaffe. It’s an opportunity for our board members, host families, donors and community supporters to join us in celebrating the many accomplishments of our program. It was our first in-person gathering for both our board and scholars in over a year. A reason alone to celebrate, post-pandemic.

Senior Lauren Cyrus speaks at the celebration.

Lisa Rogers, Naralys Sinanis (ABC Alum), Lauren Cyrus, Sherri Pranzo, Marie Berry, Cori Ouolette.

Elisa Milano, Lauren, and Kristen Eveland.

ABC guests enjoyed the early summer evening.

 Sherri Pranzo, Lauren and GHS Principal Julia Chaffe.

Bittersweet Year End

FROM Resident Director Lynn Pendergast

The year ended with a wonderful graduation celebration with Lauren’s family, teachers, and friends. Graduations are always bitter-sweet. Witnessing the transformation of our scholars into mature young women ready to make their mark in the world is immensely rewarding. As the resident director, I am very lucky to have the unique perspective of seeing their struggles, triumphs, accomplishments, and journey to success. 

This summer the house has been very quiet. The House and Grounds committee will be sprucing up and cleaning the house to get it ready for our returning scholars. The girls are busy with their summer programs and enjoying time with their families. I am looking forward to another successful school year and the return of the girls.

MJ Petretto Golf Event Supports GABC

Once again, MJ Petretto Annual golf event was held this June at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford. We had a great showing of Guilford ABC volunteers along with several others who enjoyed a day of golf, food and raffles. This golf event supports ABC and other local non-profits.  ABC foursomes were represented by ABC board members, Jeff Zeitlen, Kristen Eveland, Connie Dickinson, and our HIW manager, Patty Sullivan. Special thanks to MJ Petretto and staff for organizing such a wonderful event!

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.