Bright SpotSummer 2018 Online: www.abbyshouse.org

Shining a Light on Your ImpactNaming Opportunities

AvailablePage 4

Steering Committee Thank You!

Page 4

Important Renovation Updates

Page 3

Capital Campaign A Success!

Page 2

Finding A Place To Call HomeAnd A Family In Abby’s House

Imagine living at home with your family when one day they decide that they no longer want you around. They force you to leave immediately, with no place to go and no explanation as to why they want you gone. This is what happened to Louisa*.

When she was 39 years old, Louisa found herself out on the street, forced out of her family home with nowhere to turn. She was lucky enough to have a friend who offered her a place to stay, but after a few months her friend got married, and told Louisa that she needed to move out because she and her new husband wanted to live alone.

Forced back on the street, Louisa felt discouraged. She had heard about Abby’s House, but with English being her second language Louisa struggled to call for help. It wasn’t until she ran into a group of friends who could translate for her that she began to feel hopeful. Thirteen years later, Louisa can say that she has a roof over her head thanks to Abby’s House.

“This is my home,” said Louisa. “The people have been like family to me, and I feel safe living here.”

Through the renovation of 52 High Street, which was all made possible due to your generosity, you are giving Louisa a home where she can continue to feel safe for as long as she needs. On average, residents stay at Abby’s for two or three years, but with high market rents and a low paying job, Louisa is unable to afford an apartment of her own. At Abby’s, she is able to keep her job at a local bakery, pay an affordable rent, and have a home that is safe and inviting, surrounded by others she can confide in.

This century-old building, that is home for so many like

Louisa, is now able to be preserved for the next century through updates and enhancements of critical systems, as well as to the overall functionality of this home.

Previously, 52 High Street was not wheelchair accessible, laundry was located down in the basement, and the only kitchen could be found on the first floor. Once the renovation is complete, this home will be completely accessible, with an elevator for those who need it, and a kitchen and laundry room located on each of the floors for easier, more convenient use.

“I’m most looking forward to the kitchens that’ll be on every floor,” said Louisa. “Before, if I wanted to cook something, I’d have to bring everything down from the 3rd floor, make it, and then bring everything back upstairs. After a long day at work standing on my feet, I’d be tired! I’m also looking forward to having an elevator. After having double bypass surgery, it’ll be very helpful!”

Thank you for continuing to make Louisa feel safe in a place that she, and the women and children of Abby’s, can call home.

Abby’s House not only becomes a home, but a family for women as well

*Name changed to protect identity

2 volume 36, issue 2

52 High StreetWorcester, MA 01609Phone: 508-756-5486 www.abbyshouse.org

Annette Rafferty Founder

Stephanie Page Executive Director

Board of Directors Alaina Olson, President

Ashley Brandin, Vice President

Anne Sylvia Nyambura, TreasurerRobin Booth, Asst. Treasurer

Ann Stamm, Clerk Mary ChenailleDarlene Corbett

Denise DarrigrandTina Potenti LaCroix

Cynthia PendletonMarjorie RoppAngela Tivnan

Bright Spot Vol. 36, Issue 2

August 2018 Published three times per year

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 low-income women, with or

without children.

Vision Statement Abby’s House empowers the women we serve to lead self-directed lives filled with

dignity and hope.Due to your generosity,

we raised over $60,000 to help support our mission and programs!

Please join us again next year on April 18, 2019 at College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA

For Making Our Annual Fundraising EventSpring-Tacular a Success!

Opening Doors, Transforming Lives Capital Campaign Was A Success!

You’re the Key to Empowering Women to Lead Self-Directed Lives

We are thrilled to announce that Abby’s House exceeded its goal of raising $2 million for the Opening Doors, Transforming Lives Capital Campaign! This would not have been made possible without the overwhelming generosity of donors like you! In total, the campaign received over 500 individual, foundation, and corporate gifts!

Because of your support, Abby’s House will continue to be the largest provider of supportive housing for women, with or without children, in Worcester, and will be in the strongest position to continue to serve those who walk through our doors through critical enhancements to 52 High Street.

“The vision to renovate 52 High Street started when Abby’s House acquired the keys to the building on June 30, 2001,” said Stephanie Page, Executive Director of Abby’s House. “The first attempt to raise the funds started in 2006, but was thwarted shortly thereafter due to a downturn in the economy. In 2014, the Board of Directors picked up the vision again, and moved forward with planning. Now, almost four years later, construction is underway, total funds are secured, and the campaign is completed!”

Through this renovation, 52 High Street will receive upgrades in major systems including plumbing, HVAC, electricial, fire safety, and security, as well as create accessibility throughout the building, laundry units on each floor for easier access for residents, and more.

Through your overwhelming generosity and show of support, you have helped to secure the future of Abby’s House for generations to come! Thank you for helping empower women to lead self-directed lives filled with dignity and hope. You truly are the key to opening doors and transforming lives!

Renovations at 52 High Street are fully underway!

THANK YOU

3Summer 2018

Abby’s House is thrilled to announce that its women’s center, which will be renamed the Annette Rafferty Women’s Empowerment Center in honor of Annette’s forty-plus years of unwavering commitment, and the thrift shop are due to reopen at 52 High Street in November of this year. Both have been under construction since March, receiving much needed updates to both look and functionality.

In the women’s center, rough framing has been completed, and dry wall is soon to go up in the new kitchen, multipurpose room, and bathrooms. Both plumbing and electrical have been updated, and are awaiting inspection. Wiring for an updated security system is now underway, which will greatly improve and enhance the safety of the residents living here.

Work has also begun on the new entryway, which will make 52 High Street wheelchair accessible, with a ramp for easier access into the building. Work on the elevator has also hit a milestone, having completed the grueling task of digging an elevator pit.

The thrift shop, which helps to fund the shelter, housing, and advocacy programs, will also be receiving upgrades to improve accessibility and functionality, most notably with an elevator, new store layout and fixtures, and an upgraded point of sales system which will allow for debit and credit cards to be used for transactions.

“I have volunteered and worked at the store for eight years now,” said Thrift Store Manager, Wendy Harvey. “A lot of our customers rely on the store. Without it, they would not be able to afford to buy clothing and household items. It is so rewarding to see what we are able to do for the community, and I’m excited that through the renovation, the thrift store will become a more inviting environment for our customers to shop!”

Behind the scenes look at the construction taking place on the elevator pit (top), piping for the new refrigerator (bottom

left), and the new entryway (bottom right).

52 High Street Renovation UpdateAnnette Rafferty Women’s Empowerment Center

& Thrift Shop to Open in November!

5K Run/WalkOctober 13, 2018

Register Today!

See insert for more details on how to register your team today!

4

Naming Opportunities Available52 High Street Single Occupancy Bedrooms

Capital Campaign Corporate and Foundation

Commitments through June 30, 2018

$100,000 + Fletcher Foundation

George F. & Sybil H. Fuller FoundationGeorge I. Alden Trust

St. Francis Community Health CareThe Stoddard Charitable Trust

$50,000 - $99,999Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund

Bay State Savings BankC. Jean McDonough

Center for Community Recovery InnovationsCharlesbank Homes Foundation

Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, Inc.The Ruth H. and Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation

$25,000 - $49,999 David R. & Rosalie Grenon Family

Hanover Insurance FoundationHoche-Scofield Foundation, Bank of America,

N.A., Co-TrusteeShepherd Engineering Inc.

Sisters of Saint AnneThe Wynne L. Chase Fund of Greater Worcester

Community FoundationWyman-Gordon Foundation

$1,000 to $24,999Avidia Charitable FoundationCamosse Family Foundation

Cornerstone BankHometown Bank

J. Irving England and Jane L. England Charitable Trust

Marlborough Savings Charitable FoundationMichael Rattle Charitable Foundation

National Association of Women In Construction Sisters of St. JosephSunnyside Motors

The Albert J. Gifford Charitable TrustCountry Bank

The Francis A. & Jacquelyn H. Harrington Foundation

The Little Franciscans of MaryThe Rotary Clubs of Shrewsbury and Worcester

United Bank FoundationUnum

Webster Five

We want to take a moment to acknowledge our wonderful and dedicated Steering Committee members, who were instrumental

in the success of the Opening Doors, Transforming Lives Capital Campaign through their time, talents, and contributions! You truly were the key to opening doors and transforming lives

through this crucial renovation project!

Special thanks to Barbara Athy, Isabel & Fred Bayon, Fran Gorman, Jennifer Hylton, Ellen & Joe MacDonough, Patti

McKone, Alaina Olson & Annette Rafferty

If you would like the opportunity to have one of the 56 newly renovated single occupancy bedrooms named in honor or in

memory of a loved one, please contact Kelly Whalen, Director of Development at 508-756-5486 extension 214.

You Helped Open The DoorTo A Brighter Future!

Step 1: Visit smile.amazon.com & sign in to your accountStep 2: Choose “Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc.” as your charity

Step 3: Start Shopping!

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc.