About ABC
2020 Highlights
3,765 individuals and 2,955 families were served, benefiting from multiple programs and services.
317 individuals received training certificates and obtained pre-employment skills and competencies required for employment.
212 individuals enrolled in basic education and high school equivalency classes.
55 unemployed youth obtained employment to gain skills or income.
31 unemployed youth obtained employment.
1,221 children participated in ABC’s and its partner agencies’ Early Head Start/Head Start preschool activities to develop school readiness skills.
670 families learned and exhibited improved family functioning skills.
488 individuals obtained permanent employment.
248 families benefited from weatherization, energy conservation services, and home maintenance services.
156 individuals completed substance abuse screenings, and 145 received substance abuse counseling.
Through Federal, State and philanthropic support, ABC was able to help fulfill many community and customer needs that emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABC delivered 1,344 meals to customers’ homes and 750 families received food distributed accessible at four of ABC locations. The project was a partnership with the local food bank and other community partners.
Using CSBG Cares Act, Head Start Cares Act and ESL Federal Credit Union funding, we addressed the Digital Divide. We purchased and distributed nearly 1,150 computers for children and families, providing access to internet and technology for employment, education, and medical purposes. To ensure the proper use of these devices, we also offered technology training for those who requested assistance.
ABC delivered 743 care packages (personal items and PPE) to vulnerable agency customers.
More than 350 families received baby supplies: diapers, baby wipes and/or baby food/infant food‐formula, cereal, juice.
ABC provided more than 10,700 Telehealth services. Customer needs ranged from pandemic related stressors, depression and coping with severe addictions.
ABC
History
Action for a Better Community, Inc. is one of nearly 1,000 nationally recognized Community Action Agencies (CAA's) established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America’s War on Poverty.
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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.
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
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.
1996
James H. Norman became the Executive Director. Mr. Norman was recruited as part of a national search effort.
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).
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.”Annual
EventsView Full CalendarYear after year, ABC brings the community together by hosting events to educate and inspire the importance of compassionately helping underprivileged individuals and families in the Greater Rochester Area.
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