About ABC

January 1964

President Lyndon B. Johnson declares “unconditional war on poverty” in speech to congress.

July 1964

Rochester experiences major unrest as residents react to structural racism and limited opportunities. The community is forced to confront these inequities.

July 1964

ABC’s Founders meet in Monroe County legislator Constance Mitchell’s living room to plan the new organization. Inspired by children’s building blocks, they envision an agency that assists residents with the basics of life. The “ABC’s”. Action for a Better Community reflected their desire for positive change through real action by the community.

August 1964

Congress passes The Economic Opportunity Act, providing funds for community action agencies (like ABC) to begin providing services.

December 1964

ABC is formally incorporated.

1965

ABC begins providing services. The Office of Economic Opportunity led by R. Sargent Shriver, awarded ABC a $1.3 Million antipoverty grant. It was the largest grant awarded in the state outside of NYC. ABC supports efforts to establish The Anthony Jordan Health Center as a federally recognized community health center.

1965

Otis E. Finley Jr. became Executive Director of ABC. Agency launchesclassic anti-poverty programs such as: Head Start, Neighborhood Youth Corps and Lighted Schoolhouse antipoverty programs.

1966

Reflecting turmoil in the national anti-poverty effort, ABC experiences a period of instability and leadership change.

1968

James “Mamba” McCuller, at the age of 27, assumes leadership of ABC. He would lead the agency for nearly 25 years, making it an indispensable advocate and service provider in the Rochester community.

1968

Thomas Cray works with ABC to establish The Veteran’s Outreach
Center.

1968

ABC Employee Tom Ferraro develops a program to distribute surplus food to residents. The program grows and becomes Foodlink, one of the nation’s premiere food distributers for non-profits.

1982

ABC developed the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – ABC administered $3.7 million in Federal aid to help 22,000 households in Monroe County to cope with Rochester winter

1983

ABC was awarded $267,270 from the federal government through a NY State grant to weatherize 204 low-income homes.

1983

James McCuller was honored the recipient of the Urban League of Rochester’s Sixth Annual Charles Terrell Lunsford Distinguished Community Award.

1992

James McCuller died at the age of 52. “Life has changed, not ended”.

1996

James H. Norman became the Executive Director. Mr. Norman was recruited as part of a national search effort.

1996

ABC moved to a large professional building on 550 East Main Street and renewed logo.

1996

ABC partnered with National PTA and four City of Rochester Schools with Head Start initiative.

1999

New program initiated – CATAPULTS (Community Alliance to Assist People Up the Ladder to Success) – designed to address the needs of people moving from welfare to work.

2000

The Federal Government instituted The Workforce Investment Act in 2000. ABC begin working closely with the local workforce Investment Board’s One- stop agency: Rochester Works!

2001

Four new programs were initiated – Project Link, Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VITA), Individual Development Accounts and Strengthening Families through Better Housing.

2003

ABC became the lead agency for aneight-country initiative sponsored by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).

2003

ABC was awarded a $500,000 grant for the Job Opportunities for Low- Income Individuals.

2004

ABC hosted its first group work camp through a partnership with the Group Workcamps Foundation.

2005

James Norman leads a national planning team that provides The “Rooting Out Poverty” report. It recommends several proactive
strategies for communities, in areas of education, employment and community development. Norman strongly believes “with the resource in this country and this community, poverty can be eradicated and ultimately prevented.”

2009

ABC awarded funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds supported multiple youth and adult employment initiatives to counter impact of The “Great Recession.”

2015

A community coalition led by ABC awarded the Federal Health
Professions Opportunities Grant. Several partner educational intentions and service providers worked to assist residents obtain careers in the health field.

2018

Jerome Underwood named President and CEO of ABC.