Fall/Winter 2014

Abby’s
House
shelter • housing • advocacy
..
Vol. 32, Issue 3
BRIGHT SPOT
online: www.abbyshouse.org/brightspot
FALL/WINTER 2014
Home for the Holidays
by Parlee Jones, Shelter Advocate
As the holidays quickly approach,
many of us are planning to celebrate
Thanksgiving, then Christmas, Hanukkah,
Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa and/or New
Years. Whatever holiday you celebrate, a
big part of our celebration is preparing
our homes to welcome family and friends.
We prepare our holiday gift lists and
our food shopping lists with all our family’s
favorite foods. We clean and dust to make
sure our homes are sparkling with holiday
cheer. We plan dinners and parties to
enjoy the company of family and friends.
These are the events that create memories-For our children, for ourselves. Many of us
carry on the traditions that our parents started
when we were children. This is what we do
when we prepare our home for the holidays.
Unfortunately for our shelter guests
and some of our residents, this is not the
case. Many of our women are estranged
from their families. Some have lost spouses
and children. And for some, this holiday
season is the saddest part of the year.
Last year, one of our guests spent the
holidays living in her car with her two dogs,
Continued on page 2
women’s stories
recent events
Homeless and Working
Maintaining employment while homeless a difficult struggle for women.
Donna* spent more than 22 years
working hard to keep her marriage
and her family together, through
her husband’s manipulative and
abusive behavior, drug and alcohol
abuse and suicide attempts. Her
husband eventually stopped using
physical violence when he could
control Donna with subtle threats.
“I lived on hope, hope that
things would get better if I
worked really hard,” Donna
recalls, and for the periods of
time when her husband remained
stable, her marriage and life were
good. But then he would return to abusing drugs, and in 2008, Donna
asked her husband to leave and get help for his addictions.
Unable to physically control her life, Donna’s husband attacked her
financially. He interfered with her job and she was fired. He severed
Donna’s access to money that she normally used to pay for rent and
utilities. He arranged for their van to be repossessed and served her
with divorce papers. In December, Donna’s landlord, who was also
her former employer, evicted her.
Donna then moved to Worcester to live with family members
and completed her training to become an Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT) in 2009. She was hired by an ambulance company
*Name changed to protect identity
Continued on page 4
“Love Shouldn’t Hurt”
Abby’s House partners with Daybreak to raise awareness of domestic
violence during October.
Abby’s House and Daybreak partnered to sponsor programs for Domestic
Violence Awareness Month, including a luncheon at the Abby’s House
Women’s Center that featured guest speaker Daisy Reeves and local
singer Lydia Fortune, (above left) and “Love Shouldn’t Hurt,” songs and
spoken word performances by local artists in honor and in memory of the
victims and survivors of domestic violence. Many thanks to Parlee Jones
(above right, with State Rep. Mary Keefe) for coordinating these events!
Stay Connected with Us!
www.facebook.com/abbyshouse1
A Letter from the Executive Director
Abby’s
House
shelter • housing • advocacy
..
52 High Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: 508-756-5486
Fax: 508-798-3299
website address
BRIGHT SPOT is reproduced on our
website: www.abbyshouse.org
Annette Rafferty
Founder
Stephanie Page
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 3
NOVEMBER 2014
Published three times per year by:
Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc.
Office of Communications
52 High Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Mission Statement
The mission of Abby’s House is to provide shelter
and affordable housing, as well as advocacy and
support services, to homeless, battered and lowincome women, with or without children.
Values Statement
Abby’s House empowers the women we serve to lead
self-directed lives filled with dignity and hope.
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Greetings!
I am honored to be writing to you as
the new Executive Director at Abby’s
House. Abby’s House has made such a
meaningful difference in the lives of women
and families over the past several decades.
I am excited to bring twenty years of
nonprofit experience and a graduate
education in both nonprofit administration
and theology to Abby’s House. I hope to help
the organization to move through a period of
transition and growth, so that it will continue
to have an impact on women and families for
many years into the future.
One of the special honors of working at
Abby’s House is that so many people have a
role in contributing to the mission and success
of Abby’s House: volunteers, individual
donors, Board of Directors, staff members,
partners, foundations, businesses, and the
Home for the Holidays
community-atlarge. It takes all
of us to provide
shelter, affordable
housing, advocacy,
and support to
women, with or Executive Director
Stephanie Page, (r.) with
without children, Founder Annette Rafferty
who are homeless,
battered, and low-income. We together make
the work of Abby’s House possible.
I look forward to getting to know you and
to working with you. If you ever want to talk
with me, you are welcome to give me a call
anytime. We can set up a time to meet or talk
by phone.
I wish you the best for the year ahead,
and thank you for all of your past and future
contributions to Abby’s House.
Stephanie Page
from Page 1
who were her family. She had worked at the
same company for nine years and was suddenly
let go due to a change in management.
Due to her loss of income, she could
no longer afford the comforts of home
and began living in her car. Unfortunately,
she had to put one dog up for adoption,
and the other dog had to be put to sleep
when she decided to come to the Abby’s
House shelter. This was her family, and she
mourned their loss. We were more than
honored to support her during this time.
While at our shelter, this courageous
woman and I completed a service plan and
she decided to go to school to become
certified as a CNA. With the support of one
of our community partners, this 53-year-old
grandmother is back in school while staying in
one of our transitional rooms. Abby’s House
is giving her time and space to do what she
needs to continue living a self-sufficient life.
This year a mom and her daughter will
be spending their first Christmas in our
family housing. This young woman had
been “doubled up” with a family member
for several months while trying to find a
safe, affordable apartment. Even though she
worked full-time at $10 an hour, she could
not afford Worcester’s market-based rents.
Your average two-bedroom apartment
can be anywhere from $800 to $950 per
month, plus utilities, and families also have
to come up with first and last month’s rent,
plus a security deposit. Although there are
agencies that can help with this requirement,
there are certain criteria for families to
access these funds, and they run out quickly.
Luckily for our mom, she applied for
Abby’s Housing and was accepted into our
housing program. She now lives in a safe,
supportive environment, and the affordable
rent has enabled her to not only provide for
her daughter, but to go back to school and
further her education. She will be settled
into her home for the holidays, creating
memories and traditions for her family.
Thanks to your support, Abby’s has become
an extended family for residents and guests
during the holidays and the rest the year.
But especially at holiday time, your support
means that we can share a home-cooked
meal, and make sure that every woman and
child in our shelter or our affordable housing
has at least one present under the tree.
Here at Abby’s House, it helps the women
to know that there are people who have their
best interests at heart. We could never take
these journeys without your help.
volume 32, issue 3
5th Annual 5K Run/Walk Raises $30,000 for Abby’s House!
This year’s HipHipHerRace began on
a sunny October morning that runners
described as the “perfect temperature” for
the 5th Annual 5K race to benefit Abby’s
House. As 350 runners and walkers circled
the beautiful Wachusett Reservoir in West
Boylston, horns honked and volunteers
cheered, all to raise awareness of domestic
violence and $30,000 for Abby’s House.
“For many people it is an empowering
experience to complete a 5K run/walk,
whether it is a first time or completing with
your best time yet,” said HipHipHerRace
co-founder Susan Lauring, “We combined
a healthy experience while promoting
awareness.”
“I am taking the stand to end domestic
violence,” Olivia Greenburg emphatically said
after completing the race as the top female
finisher with a time of 22:25. Congratulations
to Olivia and our top male finisher, Mike
Leavitt, who finished with a time of 18:50!
Team Quinsigamond Community College Admissions
The Board and Staff of Abby’s House
gratefully acknowledge these HipHipHerRace
2014 sponsors: AdCare Hospital, Akuity
Technologies, Tedi & Heidi Bruschi, Central Rock
Gym, The Hanover Insurance Group Inc., Robert
J. Hennigan, Jr., Esq., IBEW Local 104, Ideal
Property Maintenance Corporation, Insurance
Recovery Group, Iron Workers Local Union #7,
Lauring Construction Company, Inc., Le Limo
Limousine Service, William F. Lynch Co., Inc.,
Marathon Sports, Metso Automation USA, Inc.,
Peterson Oil Services Inc., Poland Spring Water,
Price Chopper Markets, Quaker Special Risk of
Massachusetts, Reliant Medical Group, RoadID,
Roofers Union Local 33, Safety Insurance
Company, Summit Forms and Printing, Travelers
of Massachusetts, United Bank, and Val’s
Restaurant.
fall/winter 2014
race photos by amy vaughn, starfish photography
Hooray for HipHipHerRace!
Another big Thank You goes to the
many individuals, local organizations and
businesses that created teams to participate
in HipHipHerRace, helping to raise funds for
and increase awareness of Abby’s House and
its mission: 311, C’mon/WannaRunna, Dashing
Divas, Davis Art, FIT ELITE, For Mom, Grafton
FitGirls, Hanover, Holy Cross, In Memory of Janice
Santos, Marty’s Girls, Midland Street School,
Mincha Turtles, NAWIC (National Association of
Women in Construction), Norrback Avenue Owls,
Pet Pals Team, QCC Team Admissions, S&C,
Sorelle, Team ETM, Team FRPB, Team Kforce, the
Pushovers, The Turtles, To The Edge, and Top Shop.
HipHipHerRace co-founders, (left to right) Peggy
Dix, Sue Manero and Susan Lauring celebrate the
record-setting amount raised by HipHipHerRace.
Abby’s House also wishes to thank to
the Central Massachusetts businesses that
generously donated raffle prizes and awards
for the participants of the race: Bagel Inn,
Bhadon Gift Gallery, Blushing Bee Naturals,
Dairy Queen, Darby’s Bakery, The DogFather,
Eller’s Restaurant, Ellie’s Pet Barn of Holden,
Elzire’s Acre, Jake’s Cafe, Joey’s Bar & Grill, The
Manor Restaurant, The Mill Restaurant, Mon
Atelier Hair Salon, Mountain Barn Restaurant,
Mountainside Cafe, O’Connor’s Restaurant, Olli’s
Italian Eatery, Padavano’s Place, Paul Conzo Day
Spa and Hair Salon, Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern,
Price Chopper Supermarkets, S&S Fruit & Deli,
Steve’s Pizza, Sweet, TJX Companies, Top Shop
Salon and Day Spa, Val’s Restaurant, Volturno
Pizza Napoletana, West Boylston Cinema, West
Boylston Seafood, Worcester Restaurant Group
and Zorba’s Pizzeria.
Lisa Marcoux (left) celebrates her birthday by running
her first 5K with her sister (right).
Every year, the Santos family and friends walk and run
in memory of Janice Santos.
Thank you to the West Boylston Jr./Sr. High
School for the use of their property and thank
you to the West Boylston Police Department for
their help in directing traffic and ensuring our
safety throughout the morning.
A special thank you to our emcee, Alex
Kartheiser, and to O’Brien & Gibbons Insurance
Agency for providing the water table. Thank
you to our wonderful photographer, Amy
Vaughn of Starfish Photography. Amy captured
the beautiful scenery, the enthusiasm of our
runners and walkers, and all the fun of the
race. Thank you to Summit Forms & Printing
for providing for all of our printing needs.
To view race results for each of the age
categories, please visit the HipHipHerRace
Racewire page at http://www.racewire.com/
live_results.php?id=4190. Also check out the
HipHipHerRace album on the Abby’s House
Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.
com/abbyshouse1.
Without its supporters, Abby’s House
could not help women and children find a
place to call home. Thank you to everyone
who supported HipHipHerRace, which
gives 100% of its proceeds to Abby’s
House. Stay tuned for details of next year’s
event, which is tentatively scheduled for
October 17, 2015!
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Working from Page 1
that required her to work in Boston, Newton
and surrounding areas as far north as
Peabody. Because her weekly take-home pay
of less than $300 did not cover the cost of
commuting between Worcester and Boston,
Donna “couch-surfed” and often stayed
in her car between shifts at the ambulance
company.
“I would purposely pick up extra shifts
that were back-to-back so that I could sleep in
the bunk rooms and have access to a shower,”
Donna says.
Without a permanent address, Donna
could not maintain insurance and registration
on her car and was forced to take it off the
road. Without a car and without safe housing,
Donna soon found herself carrying all her
personal belongings with her and seeking
temporary housing in Boston.
Donna writes about her experience at a
Boston homeless shelter in 2010:
“I ‘won the lottery’ that day. I had a place to
stay and could meet with an advocate in the
morning. I didn’t want to lose my job, I was
running out of time and options, and I was
getting sick. That June the weather was brutally
hot; I was dehydrated and hadn’t been able to
eat much. I was also terrified and very anxious.
My stuff secure in a locker and my tired body
on a cot amongst so many others who were
without a place to call home, I cried myself to
sleep that night, hoping and praying that the
advocate could help me in the morning.”
On Monday morning, Donna woke to find
that her belongings had been placed at the
door. She couldn’t store her bags while she
looked for housing, and she had to leave the
shelter until lottery time that evening.
“The advocate handed me lists of places to call
and I sat with my bags around my feet, leaving
message after message,” Donna writes,
“There was nothing anyone could do …I had
no place to live, and the fact that I was employed
didn’t matter. “
After calling every shelter on the list
without finding a room or bed, and feeling
very ill, Donna went to a local hospital for
medical care.
“As I sat in the waiting room of the Emergency
Department, my phone rang. It was the
Cambridge YWCA, and I could have a room
if I could get to Cambridge in two hours, so I
took a cab. After I met with the intake staff
and obtained my first room, I spent the rest of
the day drinking Gatorade and eating potato
chips. I was at work on time by Tuesday.”
For the next few years, Donna rented a
room or studio apartment, depending on the
overtime pay she received, but never finding
a place to call home. When the ambulance
company cut all overtime, Donna could
no longer afford market-based rents. After
moving several times, living with different
family members and changing jobs in an
effort to find safe, affordable housing, Donna
came to Abby’s House. Donna says her faith
in God helped carry her through this difficult
time.
“Now I have a safe place to stay at Abby’s
House. My story is not unique. No matter the
‘why’ of being homeless, it’s still an emotional
and fearful battle. I made many friends along
this journey, and feel blessed to have helped
so many others. Abby’s house is now helping
me. Among all the positive benefits of being
a resident, I have been given a grant to attend
school to learn how to be a Medical Laboratory
Technician. So, my journey continues…”
Donna is one of many working women who find
themselves homeless due to circumstances beyond
their control. Abby’s House provides women like
Donna with affordable housing as well as advocacy
and support, giving them hope for a better future.
budget report fy14
We Need Your Support!
As of October 28, 2014, we have raised
$830,182.97, which is 72% of our total
operating budget of 1.16 million. We need to
raise $329,117 before December 31 to finish
the fiscal year in the black.
28% STILL NEEDED
TOTAL $1.16 MILLION
How You Can Help with Holiday Giving
Every year for the Holidays,
Please contact Jean Anger at 508-756-5486
Abby’s House assembles 100 gift or jean@abbyshouse.org if you would like to
organize a holiday needs list drive. Please visit
bags for residents and guests.
our website for a complete list of year-round
This year, we are in need of
needs: www.abbyshouse.org/needs-list
the following new items:
• Twin sheets
• Towel sets
All grants were received between
• Twin-size blankets
08/01/14 and 10/31/14
• Scarves & Gloves
• Travel coffee mugs
• Bank of America Charitable Foundation
• Slippers (any size)
• Melvin S. Cutler Foundation
Recent Grants
Gift Cards from:
• CVS
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Price Chopper
• Price Rite
• Target
• Wal-Mart
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fred Harris Daniels Foundation
Fallon Community Health Plan
GWCF: Lillian Pratt Fund
GWCF: Ethel Cunningham Fund
GWCF: Isabel K. Arms Fund
The TJX Foundation
W.R. Berkley Charitable Foundation
A Note of Thanks
from All of Us at Abby’s House:
Dedicated Hearts
Dedicated hearts like yours
Are not so easy to find.
It takes a special person to be
So generous and kind.
To care so much for those in need
Is a quality all too rare.
Yet you give your time and treasure,
For all who are here to share.
So thank you for supporting Abby’s,
We’re so blessed to work with you.
We want you to know how appreciated you are,
Not just today, but the whole year through.
-adapted from charity.lovetoknow.com
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