The College of the Holy Cross and Abby’s House, an organization that serves the needs of low-income and battered women and their children in Worcester, will celebrate their 40-year relationship on Tuesday, April 26, from 6-9 p.m. at the Hogan Campus with an event titled “Spring-tacular.” The “Spring-tacular,” will feature food and wine tasting stations, a silent auction, live music and guest speaker Matilde Castiel, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services for the city of Worcester. The event is open to the public and sponsored by the Counselling and Assessment Clinic of Worcester and Baystate Savings Bank. Tickets cost $65, and all proceeds will go to Abby’s House.
The successful relationship between Holy Cross and Abby’s House “is based upon 40 years of commitment from the college community with Abby’s in our efforts to provide shelter, housing and advocacy for increased numbers of homeless, abused and low-income women with or without children,” said Jean Anger, volunteer coordinator at Abby’s House. “This strong relationship began in the chaplain’s office and has been faithfully nurtured there since 1976.”
Abby’s House, formally known as Abby Kelley Foster House, has provided over 11,500 homeless women and children with a safe place to stay and rebuild their lives since 1976. Abby’s House, which is located at 52 High Street in Worcester, was the first shelter for women in the country and is also the largest provider of affordable housing in the city with 78 units.
Since Abby’s House opened its doors, women volunteers have stepped forward to care for homeless women and children, with many of those volunteers coming from Holy Cross. Student volunteers assisted with some of the shelter’s initial funding during its founding year, and staffed the emergency shelter three overnights each week throughout the academic year. Forty years later, students are still volunteering overnight three times a week at Abby’s House through the College’s Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) program. Holy Cross’ chaplains’ office also instituted two paid positions for students to work the front desk at the shelter’s single-occupancy location on 52 High Street as a summer internship.
This year, 40 to 50 Holy Cross volunteers dedicate service to Abby’s House.
“What I find the most profound about the work Abby’s House has been able to do for women and their children that come to them seeking assistance, is that none of it would be possible without the endless support from the staff, board, cooperators, the generous contributions from their donors, and lastly, their longstanding and dedicated volunteers,” said Ja-Lene Scott-Dottin ’16, the Abby’s House program director for SPUD for the past three years. “It is crucial that the College stands by its mission to be “men and women for and with others” and continue to assist Abby’s House, provide the time, shelter, and resources in order to restore hope and faith for all women and children in different walks of life.”
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