Holy Cross to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Abby’s House with Benefit Concert

WORCESTER, Mass. – In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Abby’s House, and Holy Cross’ remarkable partnership with the non-profit agency since its inception, the College will mark the occasion with a fundraising concert by the Holy Cross Chapel Choir titled "An Afternoon of Song" on April 30 at 3 p.m. in St. Joseph Chapel. A suggested donation of $8 is requested; $5 for children and seniors. Donations will be accepted at the door. The chapel is handicapped accessible. A reception will follow in Campion House, adjacent to the chapel.

Abby’s House serves the needs of low-income and battered women and their children. Founded in 1976 as an emergency shelter, today it is one of the most respected multi-service agencies in Worcester and the state of Massachusetts. In addition to the emergency shelter, Abby’s House currently provides low-income housing and services for women and their children at three locations in the city. In addition to counseling services and referrals, Abby’s House also operates a thrift shop where clothing and home goods are available, and a women’s day center where women can gather for educational programs, community building and recreation. Abby’s House receives no federal or state funds; its nearly $1 million annual operating budget comes from grants, donations from the Worcester community and operating fees.

The Holy Cross event will help Abby’s House to continue to open doors to safety and opportunity for women and their children.

Holy Cross women students raised some of the initial funds for the shelter in 1976 and have been actively involved ever since. Students have staffed the emergency shelter three overnights each week throughout the academic year for 30 years without any other staff presence.

In addition, for the past five years Holy Cross students have run weekly programs at the women’s day center, staff the reception desk at one of the low-income housing buildings four nights each week and one student works at Abby’s House full time during the summer through the Lilly Grant, a private family foundation that follows its founders’ wishes by supporting the causes of religion, community development and education.

Last month, three students active at Abby’s House — Caitlin Dowd ’06, Reagan Tangney ’06 and Rebecca Moulton ’07 — were among the approximately 40 area college students recognized for their community efforts with the first Worcester UniverCity Parternship Awards. Dowd runs a weekly program in which a group of about 10 students lead activities for the women at the women’s center. Tangney and Moulton run a program in which a group of 30 students take turns staffing the emergency shelter three nights each week throughout the school year. The students were nominated as representatives of literally hundreds of Holy Cross students who have been active at Abby’s House over the last three decades.