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.
2011-2012 RABC BOARD MEMBERS
Executive Board
Donald DeYoung, President
Sharon Dornfeld, 1st Vice President
Norris Commodore, 1st Vice President
Marla Persky, 2nd Vice President
Holly Unland, Recording Secretary
Melissa Buckwalter, Treasurer
John Shay, Corresponding Secretary
Other RABC Board Members
Courtenay Snellings – Alumni Relations
Jerome Walters – Strategic Planning
Debbie Varnerin – Host Family
Marty Handshy – House/Van Maintenance
Tom Bergeron – Nominating
Julie Schechter – Board Governance
Jacci Moss – Personnel
Jessica Auerbach – Standards
Sue Ferguson – Scholar Selection & Academic Advisor
Andrew Reischer – Scholar Selection
Deborah Evans – Scholar Selection
Marie Pinchbeck – Academic Advisors & Scholar Orientation
Karen Gerard – College Placement
Linda Jaslow – Scholar Orientation
Deb Teitsworth – Website & Academic Advisor
Shelly Fisher – Travel
John Ferguson – Medical
Larry Harder – Fund Raising
Kelby Edwards – Insurance & Fund Raising
Jacci Moss – Foundation/Grants
Mary Miller – Academic Advisor
ABC STAFF
Resident Director Victoria Daniels
Asst. Resident Director Elaine Kelemen
House Chef Patricia Smith
Driver John Pinchbeck
Driver Barbara Burnside
RHS LIAISON
Barbara George
HOST FAMILIES
Kathy Hayes-Bloch and Andrew Bloch
Mary and Charlie Condron
Peter and Cris Nichols
Judy and Doug Silver
Deirdre Clyne and David Stokes
Joanne and Stuart Roberts
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Jennifer Coates
Denise Colaianni
Sue Ferguson
Lisa Harder
Jeanne Manto
Mary Miller
Linda Saks
Deb Teitsworth
Tish Vredenburgh
DIRECTORS EMERITI
Dorothy Burdick
Robert Cox
Kathy Curlett
Ron Faanes
Lionel Ferguson
Dave Goldenberg
Deborah Harris
Marguerite Jones
Robert Jones
Margaret Keane
Ruth Leibowitz
Christine Lodewick
Philip Lodewick
Jill Mays
Jackie McBride
Wanda McPhaden
Wulfran Polonius