Ridgefield ABC (RABC) hosts eight academically motivated minority students from throughout the United States.
RABC is a local chapter of the national, non-profit, A Better Chance (ABC), Inc. which provides a better education for talented minority students from educationally disadvantaged communities. RABC is one of 27 public school, community based programs. Two hundred independent day and boarding schools are part of the ABC program. The national organization has helped over 11,000 young scholars since it was founded in 1963. Once a student is successfully enrolled in a school by ABC, the student is designated an A Better Chance Scholar and becomes a part of a unique family.
Ridgefield ABC, 1987
RABC first welcomed students to Ridgefield when four young women moved into Ridgefield’s newly purchased and renovated ABC house in the fall of 1987. Today eight young women live in the RABC house under the care of the resident director and assistant resident director. Our Board of Directors and local host families offer additional guidance and support to our scholars as do countless other volunteers. RABC’s dedicated network of volunteers provides academic and college counseling, SAT and ACT test preparation and private tutoring.
Since 1987, thirty-six Ridgefield ABC scholars have graduated from Ridgefield High School and 100% have gone on to major universities and colleges, as well as graduate and professional degree programs.
Ridgefield ABC depends entirely on donations and fundraising events to meet its annual operating budget. We welcome your inquiries on how to become a part of this wonderful organization.
ABC BOARD MEMBERS
Donald DeYoung, President
Robin Keller, Past President
Sharon Dornfeld, 1st Vice President
Norris Commodore, 2nd Vice President
Linda Jaslow, Recording Secretary
Melissa Buckwalter, Treasurer
John Shay, Corresponding Secretary
Jessica Auerbach, Standards
Tom Bergeron, House Maintenance
Missy Brazill, Fundraising
Holly Dunn, Fundraising
Kelby Edwards, Fund-Raising/Annual Appeal
Deborah Evans, Selection
John Ferguson, Medical
Sue Ferguson, Fundraising
Karen Gerard, College Admissions
Martin Handshy
Larry Harder
Katherine Lane
Mary Miller, Fundraising
Jacci Moss, Fundraising
Marla Persky, Fundraising
Marie Pinchbeck, Academic Advisors
Andrew Reischer, Selection
Julie Schechter
Courtenay Snellings, Alumnae Relations
Deb Teitsworth, Website
Jerome Walters, Fundraising
Nathan Zezula
ABC STAFF
Resident Director Natasha McNeal
Asst. Resident Director Elaine Kelemen
House Chef Patricia Smith
Driver Connor Murphy
Driver Molly Wellers
RHS LIAISON
Barbara George
HOST FAMILIES
Denise Colaianni & Ralph Baskin
Kathy Hayes-Bloch & Andrew Bloch
Ginette & Don Howard
Maria Larino & Joe Maymi
Lynn Holley & Chris McCaffrey
Peter & Cris Nichols
Judy & Doug Silver
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Andrea Beebe
Anne Cassels
Sue Ferguson
Lynne Harmelin
Jeanne Manto
Adrienne Orlan
Marie Pinchbeck
Meg Rooney
Linda Saks
Deb Teitsworth
Tish Vredenburgh
DIRECTORS EMERITI
Dorothy Burdick
Robert Cox
Kathy Curlett
Ron Faanes
Lionel Ferguson
Shelly Fisher
Dave Goldenberg
Deborah Harris
Marguerite Jones
Robert Jones
Margaret Keane
Ruth Leibowitz
Christine Lodewick
Philip Lodewick
Jill Mays
Jackie McBride
Wanda McPhaden
Wulfran Polonius