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Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Shaping the future of young men's lives for the last 30 years, Longmeadow's Chapter of A Better Chance (ABC) is still making a difference. As a non-profit organization, ABC is hoping that the local residents and businesses will continue to support them in helping economically disadvantaged students live out their full potential. "These students come from some of the worst areas you can imagine," said ABC co-president John Griggs. "[With ABC] they have a better chance to go on to good colleges." Griggs said students who succeed through ABC can, later on, inspire another child, which he hopes will cause a "trickle-down effect," of motivation and opportunities. The ABC Longmeadow program is currently limited to young men. These students reside in a home on Wenonah Street where the resident directors are Terry and Maurice Powe. According to information provided by Griggs, the couple is responsible for "the daily supervision of the social, emotional, and educational well being of the boys." The Powes also have three children of their own and receive a stipend and room and board, according to Griggs. Maurice is an attorney and Terry is a fourth grade teacher in Springfield. The students currently benefiting from ABC are Zack Prescott, a freshman from Lawrence, MA; Kareem Hardaway-Pollard, a senior from Newark, NJ and Alex McKeithen, a sophomore from New Haven, CT. Since the program was established in 1963 in Hanover, NH, more than 11,000 young men like Prescott, Hardaway-Pollard and McKeithen have benefited from ABC. One third of ABC students are from homes below the Federal poverty line. ABC depends largely on volunteers and contributions from the community. ABC has a board of 30 dedicated volunteer directors. Literally hundreds more have offered their time by serving as tutors or host families (each ABC student has a host family they spend one weekend a month with), or they have helped with projects and fund-raising efforts. ABC is currently looking for volunteers to: Invite the students to dinner in their home once a month. Plan outings for the boys (bowling, a movie or a hike). Help organize fund-raising events. Create a newsletter to inform the community about happenings at ABC. ABC also asked that members of the community consider becoming a member of the ABC High-Five Club. High-Five members commit to donating $1,000, $500, $250, or a minimum of $100 a year, for five years, to ABC. For more information write: ABC Longmeadow PO Box 60401 Longmeadow, MA 01106. | ||||||
