Jerome Underwood Honored with National Drum Major for Justice Award 

Jerome Underwood, the President and CEO of Action for a Better Community, was awarded the prestigious National Drum Major for Justice Award. This honor was presented by the National Community Action Partnership at their Annual Convention in Atlanta on Thursday, August 24, 2023. 

Brianna Milon: Champion of Social Justice

Brianna Milon, an exceptional member of our team, proudly holds the honor of being the inaugural recipient of NYSCAA's Social Justice Award. Her unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity and advancing equity is undeniably remarkable, serving as a profound source of inspiration to all.

Overcoming Adversity: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph

In August 2009, Michele Boyd relocated to Rochester, NY to die from complications of living with HIV—contracted from a traumatic event that occurred shortly after her marriage and the birth of their first child. Michelle’s journey had been one of continuous struggle, marked by over two decades of enduring pain, feelings of worthlessness, and an overwhelming sense of fatigue. 

Transform Your Life and Career with ERIC!

"It was life-changing. It wasn't just about work. It helped us figure out how to go through life. It was about the work we had to do within ourselves to be successful."

A new cohort is underway for ABC’s ERIC program. The Employment Retention and Incentive Curriculum program is a four-week intensive training course designed to provide participants with the workplace skills necessary to keep a job. Students can earn up to $500 for attending and completing post-program requirements. 

Instructor Yeison Rodriguez guides students to embrace change, discover conflict resolution styles, and reinforce the value of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

“It really is a great program. I could see from the beginning that there was information here that I could apply to my life. I know people look for different ways to improve and if that is something you’re looking for this is the place to be.” - Ebonisha Lloyd, ERIC program graduate.

The ERIC program is always recruiting! Call 585-325-5116 to learn more today.

ABC's Energy Conservation Program: Your Path to Energy Savings and Financial Wellness

As the autumn leaves begin to fall and temperatures start to drop, it's a timely reminder that October is Energy Awareness Month, a time when we focus on the importance of energy conservation and how it impacts our lives. At Action for a Better Community (ABC), we're excited to be part of the solution, helping you save energy, and ultimately, save money.

Energy conservation isn't just about being eco-friendly; it's about making your home more comfortable, reducing your energy bills, and, in turn, lightening the load on your wallet. In these times when every dollar counts, making your home more energy-efficient can have a significant positive impact on your financial well-being.

ABC's Energy Conservation Program (ECP) is committed to reducing the energy burden on low-income families, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes, ensuring their health and safety, and allowing them to increase their expendable income. 

Staff Promotions

Congratulations to the following ABC team members for their well-deserved promotions!

• Michele Boyd, AFC Director
• Robert Fuqua, Installer
• Sharon Minigan, VP for Early Childhood Services/Head Start Director
• Ronnell Walker, Building Analyst
• Yvondira Thomas, ERSEA Specialist
• Magdalia Ortiz, Family Care Advocate
• Yahoda Miller, EHS Teacher
• Yanny Tello, Evaluator/DWI Instructor
• Lisa Smith, Center Director
• Halima Hassan, EHS Teacher
• Tyesha Pardner, CCA
• Tasharra Minigan, CCA
• Sue Kervin, P&E Data Manager