Remembering Visionary ABCD leader Robert M. Coard
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Ten years ago, the man who led ABCD for 41 of his 45 years with the organization passed away. Robert M. Coard, renowned as a builder of social institutions, was a catalyst in the national community action movement launched with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
Robert Coard “had ideas that the city could be better, that those who were left behind by the economy, by other means — because they were disadvantaged because of their race or color or creed — could all do better if they were given opportunity. That was his life's work," said Mr. Coard’s successor and current President/CEO John J. Drew.
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The 1960s was a tumultuous time with community action agencies on the frontline of the War on Poverty. It took an energized and dedicated team to establish ABCD and sustain it. Mr. Coard’s wife, Donna M. Coard was among them, and several others continue to lead the organization today. Drew was a key architect in building and expanding ABCD, as was Vice President of Human Resources and Administration Harold Mezoff and Director of Government and Industrial Relations Bob Elias.
“He always had his eye on the big picture. The community action program model is amazing, but he pushed the boundaries,” said Mrs. Coard. “He enriched the model by adding components that would come to define what a community action agency could be.”
Mr. Coard believed education was the best path out of poverty, and he did what he did because the ABCD mission perfectly aligned with his personal values. “He loved people. It wasn’t work for him,” Mrs. Coard said...
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ABCD Health Services in the community
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ABCD Health Services, dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve, has had an exciting year. This year the #BossUp program, dedicated to connecting men to healthcare resources, was added in order to better serve young men ages 18-24 in Boston. In fact, the inaugural Brothers Be Well Brothers event under the #BossUp program took place in October with the purpose of networking for community building. The event encouraged men to learn more about sexual health and wellness by connecting them to male -based programs, individuals and resources available and accessible to men.
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In addition to programs for men, ABCD Health Services has several educational initiative dedicated to educating young women including Safer is S.E.X.Y (Sophisticated Empowered and eXtraordinary You). Safer is S.E.X.Y is a social media and community outreach program to bring Black and Latina women and girls in greater Boston together with experts and allies to address substance abuse, HIV prevention, and more.
ABCD Health Services is helping create healthier and more educated communities by providing education and resources to those who may not have immediate access to information.
To learn more about ABCD Health Services and its programs click the button below.
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Heat on, Pantries Full, Families Thriving
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Winter is hard for everyone, but especially for those living on very limited budgets. The cold temperatures force impossible choices between rent, heat, groceries, medical care, and warm clothing.
Let’s help our neighbors avoid the need for such impossible choices.
Your gift
to ABCD enables us to reach more people with services that help them survive throughout the year.
At ABCD, we often say we are all
in it together
. To join with us in giving warmth and hope this year, please make a donation through our
secure website
.
None of our neighbors deserves to go cold or hungry this winter.
Every donation makes a difference!
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ABCD Awarded Grant to Support Expansion of ESOL Program
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ABCD has recently been notified of a generous grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to expand the capacity of its English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. The new DESE grant supports a 33% increase in capacity through the addition of five classes, enabling 72 additional students to enroll in classes.
ABCD currently offers adult ESOL classes at three of its neighborhood locations—the Mattapan Family Service Center, Parker Hill/Fenway Neighborhood Service Center, and South Side, which is co-located with ABCD’s Roslindale Head Start & Children’s Services Center. The current classes have a total capacity of 218 students.
ABCD has offered adult ESOL classes since the 1970s. Highly interactive classes enable students to communicate better in practical, real-life situations, resulting in improved job prospects, increased parental participation in children’s education, better advocacy skills, and community members who are more equipped to give back. In addition to ESOL instruction, the programs provide an orientation to the local job market as well as skills training and educational opportunities that prepare participants for jobs in upwardly mobile sectors of the economy. Targeted ESOL instruction familiarizes parents with Boston Public Schools and ways to support their children’s learning. Current students come from more than 20 countries, with a wide range of native languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Arabic.
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ABCD Mystic Valley Opportunity Center Provides Holiday Toys
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ABCD Receives Holiday
Toy Drive Donations
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ABCD Mattapan FSC Provides Thanksgiving Turkeys
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ABCD North End/West End
Buona Sera 2019
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Give Today.
Your gift supports ABCD in its mission to empower low-income people by providing them with the tools to overcome poverty, live with dignity, and achieve their full potential. Interested in other ways of giving? Please contact the Planning and Grants Department at 617-348-6559.
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Action for Boston Community Development | 617-348-6000 |
bostonabcd.org
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