Upcoming 5K to support Amherst A Better ChanceDate: 10/12/2022 AMHERST – The annual Fall Foliage and Cider Run will take place on Oct. 15. The 5K run is organized by and in support of Amherst A Better Chance (AABC), “a residential high school program that prepares academically talented young men of color from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles,” according to its website.
The Amherst chapter of A Better Chance has been in existence since 1968 and allows young men from underprivileged school districts to come live in Amherst at a group house on North Prospect Street and to attend Amherst Regional High School (ARHS). Students come from all over the country; right now the program has two young men from New York City and one from Connecticut. Temistocles Ferreira and his wife Nancita Alejandro are currently in their second year as co-residential directors of the program, living with the young “scholars,” as they are referred to in the AABC program.
Average years prior to COVID-19 saw six to eight students enrolled, right now three live in the AABC house. According to Ferreira they follow a “rigorous schedule” of school, extracurriculars including sports and clubs, chores and tutoring from Sunday to Thursday. However, it is not all work and no play in the AABC house: weekends feature activities such as hiking, go-karting and trips to the cinema, along with cultural programming, including. the Youth Climate Survey scholars recently attended.
A house chef serves tasty meals, and one weekend a month the boys stay with a “host family,” a family in the community that provides mentorship throughout that scholar’s entire stay with the program. Ferreira said that the boys often stay in contact with their host families after graduation, creating lifelong relationships.
Ferreira said he is completely dedicated to the 24/7 position and said, “my philosophy is that the youth are not only the future, they are also the now.”
He has over 20 years of youth work and advocacy under his belt, citing previous roles at Upward Bound, Youth Build and the Youth Ambassadors Program. He aims to instill an “attitude of gratitude” in the young men through practices like nightly sessions at the dinner table where every household member names one thing they were grateful and appreciative of that day.
“As a kid or an adult, life presents many challenges, but you can always find something to be grateful for,” Ferreira said.
AABC receives no government funding and is powered by private donations from community members or local institutions, such as Greenfield Bank. The Fall Foliage and Cider Run is their biggest fundraising event of the year. It garners donations directly through registration for the actual event, and by spreading awareness of the program, which garners further donations down the line.
Participants may choose to walk the route or to run. The start times will be staggered; walkers begin at 9:30 a.m. while runners start at 10 a.m. AABC describes the route as such:
“The walk/run starts at Amherst Town Common, partly circles Amherst College campus and enters the woodlands of The Amherst College bird sanctuary, highlighted by a beautiful view over the Pelham Hills. Finally, it follows the Norwottuck Rail Trail back to the campus.”
From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., participants will be crossing the finish line. While completed participants await the results, they may enjoy cider and snacks like fresh apple cider donuts provided by AABC, the cost of which is included in the registration fee. Prizes donated from local businesses will be awarded to winners, and all runners will receive complimentary mugs.
Those interested in walking or running in support of AABC can register for the 5K online on the Amherst A Better Chance website, under the “Fall Foliage and Cider Run” section. Online registration must be submitted by Oct. 14 at 5 p.m.
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