ABCD Insight: Field of Dreams raises $150,000, SummerWorks is accepting applications and more

June 2021

Monthly News & Updates

ABCD Field of Dreams raises $150,000 for youth jobs program

Businesses pay to play at Fenway, build team spirit

On June 16th, a perfect summer day, physicians, client relations managers, and IT consultants became shortstops, left fielders, and catchers at the iconic annual ABCD fundraiser Field of Dreams. Thanks to the generosity of their companies and, of course, the Boston Red Sox, ABCD Field of Dreams raised an astounding $150,000 for ABCD Summerworks, a summer program dedicated to placing Boston’s underserved youth in paid jobs, starting them on a path toward their dream career.

ABCD accepting applications for lauded SummerWorks youth summer jobs program

After the most difficult year in memory, ABCD SummerWorks and more than 100 partner employers once again offer young people ages 14 to 21 the opportunity to earn a paycheck while gaining skills that will help prepare them to return to school in person through meaningful work that gives back to the community. Participants will receive mentoring, attend job readiness workshops, and collaborate on in-person and/or online projects.

As residents emerge from the isolation and, in many cases, the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, SummerWorks can also bring peace, hope, healing, and vision to young people, families, and the city overall.

Donate to SummerWorks

Apply to SummerWorks

DPH awards Ostiguy High $324,000 to support students in recovery

Multi-year grant to help fund student-centered wellness and enrichment activities

ABCD’s William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School has received a $324,000 multi year grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to expand comprehensive year-round, after-school and out-of-school, services and supports for youths with substance use disorder.

ABCD thanks the following funders for their generous grants

Bank of America

Cambridge Community Foundation, made possible by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

RBC Wealth Management Foundation

State Street Foundation, Inc.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

Congrats to University High School and Ostiguy High School grads!

As commencement season comes to a close, ABCD proudly congratulates our 2021 high school graduates from William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School, which enrolls students in recovery, and ABCD University High School, whose students have struggled academically or have otherwise been at risk in the traditional school system. At UHS, they rise!

We commend these students for their focus, determination, and success as they move forward, pursuing higher education and a foothold in their careers.

View the University High photo album here and the Ostiguy album here.

Juneteenth: ABCD marks official holiday

A letter from ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew

On Friday, June 18th, ABCD closed to celebrate Juneteenth, now a national holiday that marks the finality of the Civil War and the end of more than 400 years of legalized slavery of Africans/African Americans.

The name derives from June 19, 1865 when 20,000 Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas to announce that the necessary but horrible war had ended and the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state—along with four million throughout the states—were free.

The news came two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863 and two months after General Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865 and Lincoln was tragically assassinated on April 12, 1865.

Of course, our country’s history was soon marred by the shameful Jim Crow laws, with the oppressive systemic racism they locked into place, and today the battle rages on as we combat disgraceful and unjust voter suppression legislation as well as long standing inequity in health, education, housing and more.

We will fight, but we will also take note of and honor the strides we have made, including crucial milestones like Juneteenth. The work of full emancipation, racial equity, and real and lasting freedom for all goes on. I find encouragement in knowing that, together, we are up to the task.

John J. Drew

President/CEO

ABCD VITA program returns $6 million to community residents, boosts economy in Boston-area neighborhoods

ABCD staff and volunteers sprang into action during tax season 2021, providing individuals, families and seniors with low to moderate income with expert assistance filling out and filing their federal and state income tax returns. All eligible participants received the significant Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC). ABCD is part of the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

ABCD met the challenges of the pandemic with virtual and drop-off programs, completing 2,517 returns that gave back $6,076,646 in federal and state refunds to low and moderate income residents of Boston neighborhoods and the Mystic Valley region.

Those returns included $1,353,994 in EITC and $437,448 in CTC credits.

ABCD Board elects business and community leader Sean Daughtry chair; new slate of officers elected

At its June 23 meeting, the ABCD Board of Directors elected Roxbury resident and Vertex Pharmaceuticals PAT Scientist Sean Daughtry to serve as Chair for a one-year term. The Roxbury resident pledges to uphold the ABCD mission and expand resources that enable underserved residents to reach their highest potential.

ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew praised outgoing Chair Yvonne Jones for her exceptional leadership and tireless work as chair for the past four years. She retains a seat on the board.

The board also elected the following officers:

Vice Chairs: Nancy Dickerson, Marie Grieg, Edward Katz, Rev. Dr. Florence King, James A. Owens, Jr.

Treasurer: Patricia Washington

Assistant Treasurer: Andres Molina

Clerk: Julie Hardy Cofield, Esq.

Unprecedented inter-agency coalition meets urgent needs of 100,000 residents

ABCD leads initiative to aid and empower those hardest hit by pandemic

When Governor Baker declared a state of emergency in March 2020 due to the surging COVID-19 pandemic, ABCD was on the frontlines ramping up programs and services. But we quickly saw that, despite the broad spectrum of programs and services we offer, we could reach more people in desperate circumstances more quickly and fill crucial gaps in service if we joined forces with other organizations.

Thanks to a crucial $9 million infusion of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and leveraging our strong infrastructure and community connections, we reached out to nonprofit organizations across Greater Boston and built a coalition of 20 agencies that together have delivered emergency services to nearly 100,000 people to date.

ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew said the results have been impressive. “Governor Baker lifted the state of emergency on June 15th, and many Massachusetts residents think life is back to ‘normal,’ but that is not the case for our most vulnerable neighbors.

New ABCD program GATEWAY lays groundwork for students to excel in a new career

With broad job and income losses due to the pandemic, ABCD maintains a strong focus on career training and development with the launch of GATEWAY. This online job preparation program equips students with the necessary skills to thrive in the competitive job market.

Participants learn how to ace job interviews, write compelling resumes and cover letters, and develop communication skills for the workplace. Instructors evaluate and adapt to individual learning styles, offer in-person support, and encourage students to ask questions and engage in discussion.

Towards the end of the course, trainees give group presentations on one of the three topics: WorkKeys Assessment, career development modules, and problem-solving skills. These concepts are at the core of developing a flourishing career in most any field. To graduate and be considered for a job placement, enrollees are prepared for and must pass a skills assessment examination, testing their math and reading comprehension.

To learn more about eligibility, visit ABCD GATEWAY. If you’re a prospective participant, apply today! Email Mandy Driscoll at amanda.driscoll@bostonabcd.org.

Helpful Resources

The pandemic made clear that millions of people don’t have access to or can’t afford high speed internet. For many, laptops or tablets are also out of reach. These are essential resources, which is why the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

The program offers up to $50/month discount for broadband services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider. See if you’re eligible! Visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

Looking for information about COVID-19 vaccination?

Find helpful information at mass.gov/info-details/trust-the-facts-get-the-vax and watch for Covid-19 Vaccine Information updates on the ABCD website, and follow ABCD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for a vaccination days at ABCD’s Thelma D. Burns building!