June 2019
Monthly News & Updates
Congratulations to our 2019 graduates
Anticipation fills each corner of the room as streamers hang next to banners that read “Congratulations Graduate” behind balloons with “Class of 2019” written on them. Family members sit in the audience as they anxiously wait for their graduate to come out. All of their hard work, sacrifices and choices have led to this moment – Graduation Day! Getting to the finish line of their high school career despite adversity is what these unique students have accomplished.

Graduation season evokes different meanings for many people but for students at Ostiguy High it means they have not only overcome but they have surpassed even their own expectations. Ostiguy is a recovery high school that integrates an accredited high school curriculum with clinical and supportive services for its students. Guided by staff, students are empowered with tools and resources to aid in their journey of recovery from substance abuse. Ostiguy High’s 2019 graduating class consisted of eight students from varying backgrounds who depended on each other and staff to get their high school diploma.

A few miles away in Roxbury at ABCD University High School (UHS) the 2019 graduating cohort consisted of nine determined students who also had to overcome their own set of obstacles. When challenged and told they wouldn’t succeed in the traditional school system these students bet on themselves and found an educational environment that fit them. UHS is a Boston Collaborative High school that provides Boston students with the opportunity to reengage in their learning through an accelerated pathway and earn their high school diploma. The dedicated staff at UHS work with each student to ensure their educational needs are met and that they are set up to succeed.

ABCD congratulates the 2019 graduates of the William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School and ABCD University High School.

To learn more about more about each school and how to enroll CLICK HERE for Ostiguy High and CLICK HERE for University High.

Field of Dreams hits it out of the park for youth
There was a plenty of cheer at Fenway Park on June 18, and this time it wasn’t because of the World Series Champion Red Sox.

ABCD’s 22nd Annual Field of Dreams softball benefit event raised $240,000 for the ABCD SummerWorks program, helping make it possible for more than 700 low-income teenagers to secure paying jobs, while receiving invaluable education, mentoring and tutoring throughout the summer.

The 2019 Field of Dreams event certainly provided plenty of highlights. From the delicious Fenway Franks served up by Aramark to the Red Sox Mascot Wally the Green Monster cheering on and interacting with the players, to former co-chair John Sasso receiving a special recognition award for his dedication and service to our organization, it was a very special day for ABCD.  
Learning English While a Parent
Imagine moving to a new country as a parent and trying to support your young children with their education in a new culture. Now imagine facing this challenge when you are not yet fluent in the local language. Thousands of immigrant parents in Boston face this challenge every year. Fortunately, ABCD offers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) for Parents and Caregivers classes with specific funding and curriculum support from English for New Bostonians (ENB) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Founded in 2001 as a public-private-community collaborative spearheaded by the Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, English for New Bostonians has been independently incorporated since 2014. The organization funds ESOL programs, supports the development of specialized ESOL curricula, conducts research, and elevates immigrants’ voices to advocate for greater funding for ESOL programs.
ABCD Videos
Head Start Family Resource Fair 2019
State Rep. Nika Elugardo visits ABCD Head Start
ABCD Celebrates the Foster Grandparents
ABCD Says Thank You To Its Volunteers
Program Spotlight
ABCD YEA! participants discover their limitless potential

Program designed for underserved 13 year olds kicks off July 15th
Explaining how a good idea can be transformed into a law that changes lives for the better, Maia Raynor, legislative aide to State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, told a room full of 13 year olds that each of them can get involved and make a difference.
 
Raynor’s presentation was part of ABCD’s Youth Engaged in Action (YEA!) program last year. YEA!, a three-week summer adventure, introduces participants to people and experiences that teach them about civic engagement and leadership, online safety and responsibility, budgeting, job-readiness, community service.
 
As 2018 YEA! participant Victor Ramos puts it, “If you don’t know these things, how would you be able to make your voice heard and help the community?”
 
This summer, YEA! kicks off on July 15 th and includes an exciting new opportunity thanks to ABCD’s new partner DreamWakers . Through online meetings called “flashchats,” YEA! kids will interact with a variety of professionals from the private and public sector including a Google employee who leads the company’s virtual reality initiatives and a staffer at the U.S. State Department.
 
Learn more about ABCD’s YEA! program HERE , and watch these young leaders in action HERE .
Upcoming Events
ABCD Hoop Dreams
Join us for  ABCD Hoops Dreams . This year the annual basketball tournament will take place at the Auerbach Center.

Tuesday, Sept. 3rd

There are still team slots available. To  sign up to be a corporate team sponsor please contact Elizabeth Gillis at elizabeth.gillis@bostonabcd.org or 617.348.6244
Community Heroes Celebration

Friday, November 8th
Boston Marriott Copley Place

Join us in honoring this year's extraordinary ABCD heroes at our 45th annual celebration!

Featuring Tony ® , Grammy ® & Emmy ® Award winner Audra McDonald in performance.

For ticket & sponsorship information, contact Liz Gillis at 617.348.6244 or elizabeth.gillis@bostonabcd.org
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