Holy Cross Holds Fourth Annual Benefit Concert for Abby’s House

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross Chapel Choir is holding the fourth annual concert titled “Songs of Hope” to benefit Abby’s House on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. in St. Joseph Chapel at the College. A suggested donation of $8 is requested; $5 for children and seniors. Donations will be accepted at the door. The chapel is handicapped accessible.

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 more than $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 32 years without any other staff presence.

In addition, for the past seven 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.