History and Mission
Mission Statement
The mission of Glastonbury A Better Chance is to offer young minority men of demonstrated ability, good character and need, the opportunity to obtain an excellent education in the town of Glastonbury.
History
In the 1960s, A Better Chance (national) began as an innovative experiment designed to expand educational opportunity for talented young people of color. Originally, A Better Chance identified and recruited talented students and referred them to independent boarding schools nationally. In the 1970s, A Better Chance expanded its placements to include public schools. Students reside in a house staffed with resident directors and tutors, and they attend the local public school. These local homes are supported and managed by the local community.
A Better Chance (ABC) has affected 11,000 young people who were accepted to the program based on their academic record, personal motivation, and leadership promise. ABC students are usually in the top 10% of their class. Most have gone on to highly selective institutions and many have gone on to attend equally demanding graduate schools. Currently, ABC students attend one of 180 private and 25 public schools nationally.
Established in 1974, Glastonbury ABC is one of 25 community programs nationally, and it is among the oldest. We accomplish our mission by providing our students with a home, adult supervision, and academic support. We encourage them to be fully involved in the local community and to engage in community and cultural activities. We aspire to prepare our students not only for college but for a future as engaged and effective leaders in society.
Glastonbury ABC students live in the Baldwin House, within walking distance of Glastonbury High School. We usually support 5-8 students per year. Students are supervised by a residential director and an academic advisor. Glastonbury ABC is managed by a voluntary board of directors, Glastonbury residents who bring diverse perspectives and skills to the program. The board meets monthly and various committees provide operating support. (See Board of Directors)
Glastonbury ABC is very much of a town-supported initiative. We work closely with the high school principal and superintendent of schools. Town residents are generous in lending their talents to keep the home attractive, safe, and well-maintained. Although affiliated with the national ABC, Glastonbury ABC is self supporting and relies on individual gifts, grants, and fundraisers.
Glastonbury ABC has graduated more than 70 students in 34 years. One measure of success of Glastonbury ABC is the caliber of colleges and universities our graduates attend, including Case Western Reserve, Connecticut College, University of Connecticut, Cornell, Dartmouth, Colgate, Dickinson, Emory, Fordham, Holy Cross, New York Institute of Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers, St. Lawrence, Siena, Swarthmore, Trinity, and Wesleyan.
