Simsbury ABC Program

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Simsbury ABC Program

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Over 13,000 graduates have gone on to pursue further education and careers due to the opportunities provided by the National A Better Chance program.

The Simsbury A Better Chance Program (ABC) is an educational non-profit organization making a difference in the lives of academically talented young men of color. Since its founding in 1963, National A Better Chance has been the preeminent resource for identifying, recruiting, educating and developing leaders from the nation's most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. A Better Chance serves as a national network for deserving students and places them in one of 279 boarding and day schools across the country or in one of 22 public school programs. Participants who qualify for and are accepted into the Simsbury A Better Chance program have access to unsurpassed educational and leadership opportunities. A Better Chance of Simsbury opened our doors in the fall of 1973. Students, the Resident Directors and Resident Tutor live family-style in the program’s house at 835 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. ABC Resident Directors and the Resident Tutor provide a warm and supportive environment enriched by daily study sessions. The ABC Board of Directors, Academic Advisors, Host Families and Simsbury High School faculty and staff also offer guidance. Since the program began, over 78 students have graduated from Simsbury High School, a school which offers a challenging college-preparatory curriculum and a wide array of extracurricular and athletic activities. All graduates of Simsbury ABC have attended four-year colleges and universities, and many have gone on to graduate school. We have transformed lives through educational opportunity. Simsbury ABC provides deserving students with "a better chance" by placing them in an environment that encourages academic excellence, improves their college acceptance chances and lays the foundation for an improved future - for our scholars, our community and our country.

08/27/2026

Back-to-School Wish List: TI-84 Calculators Needed!

As our scholars head back to school, we're hoping to find 3 TI-84 graphing calculators in very good or new condition. These are essential tools for success in their math and science coursework this year, and we'd love your help making sure every scholar has what they need.

🛒 Want to purchase one? Visit our Amazon wishlist, and it'll ship right to our front door: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LDI9LWJUKMTI?ref_=wl_share

📱 Have one to donate? Text our Program number at 860-264-6188 to coordinate drop-off.

Thank you for helping set our scholars up for a strong year ahead!

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

This past weekend, we welcomed our students and families back to Simsbury ABC as we begin our 53rd year! It was a great day of reunions, new beginnings, and community.

We're thrilled to welcome our new Resident Director, Dameris Kates, and her partner, Kenneth Fitzwilliam, who join Resident Academic Advisor, Olivia Gonsalves, in guiding our students throughout the school year. Their thoughtful presence and gentle leadership help make our House a home.

Scholars, families, our Board, Staff, Host Families, Academic Advising, SHS team members, and members of the Farmington Valley Quilters Guild were all on hand to help get our year started! Each year, the Guild members share their handmade art with each new scholar as they enter the Program. Their beautiful quilts bring warmth to our House as they start their journey.

To everyone who stands side by side with our Scholars and Program, we're grateful for your commitment and support of the mission of Simsbury ABC.

Here's to another wonderful year of growth, opportunity, and community!

06/20/2026

What a start to our summer!

This week, Mitchell Subaru presented Simsbury A Better Chance with the proceeds from their 2026 Share the Love campaign, and what a gift it is!

selected Simsbury ABC as a participating charity in their campaign. The proceeds of just over $18,000 will go directly toward supporting our program and scholars as they undertake their academic journey.

Since 1973, Simsbury ABC has offered motivated young men the chance to reach their full potential through access to a college-preparatory education. We are 100% donor supported, and gifts like this one make that work possible.

We are deeply grateful to Mitchell Subaru and to every customer whose purchase was part of this campaign. Thank you for believing in our scholars and in the power of education to change lives.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BcKqZZ9sE/

06/19/2026

Congratulations to Emmanuel, Bronx, NY, the 90th graduate of the Simsbury A Better Chance program!

Four years have flown by, and what a journey it has been. Emmanuel is the latest in a long line of young men whose families made a courageous decision back in middle school to seek out a different path and trust in the power of education to open new doors. That kind of belief takes real courage, and we never take it lightly.

The trails our scholars and alumni blaze, and the lives they go on to touch through their hard work and dedication, ripple outward far beyond the walls of our House. They are the heart of everything we do, and the reason Simsbury A Better Chance exists.

To Emmanuel and his family, thank you. To all our scholars, alumni, and their families, thank you for the trust you have placed in the Simsbury Schools and in our program.

And to our generous donors: none of this is possible without you. Your support is what keeps our doors open, our House a home, and our mission alive. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in this important work.

Pictured with Emmanuel, his Mom Sally, Resident Director Sheri, and Resident Tutor Olivia.

06/18/2026

The last few weeks have flown by! Prom, finals, celebrations, and so much time enjoyed together as a House and a Program.

We recently came together as a full Program to celebrate the year. We celebrated our senior, Emmanuel, and wish him every success and a safe journey on the road ahead. We also took time to thank our Resident Directors, Sheri and Jae Eklund, who wrap up four years as the heart of our home. Their care and steady presence have meant so much to our Scholars and to all of us.

Congratulations to our Junior David, Sophomore Julian, and Freshmen Joakim and Isaias on a stellar year! We're proud of each of you and can't wait to continue the journey together in 2026-2027.

A special shoutout to David, who was awarded the Brandeis University Book Award at Simsbury High School. This honor goes to an outstanding junior who ranks in the top 15% of their class and shows a strong commitment to civic engagement, community service, or social justice. Congratulations!

We wish Julian safe travels as he spends part of his summer studying abroad in Italy through the CIEE program: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad.

Our Program could not exist without the dedication of our Board, Host Families, Academic Advisors, Scholar families, Resident Team, and staff. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and believes in our Scholars.

We cannot wait to celebrate graduation this afternoon when our 90th Scholar crosses the stage and takes his next steps into a future shaped by his hard work, his family's support, and the care of everyone who believes in the power of education.

Wishing our Simsbury ABC community a wonderful summer.

05/14/2026

Senior Season has officially begun. 🎓

There is something truly special about this time of year, when the calendar turns, and we find ourselves moving through all the milestones that mark the final stretch of a scholar's journey in our House and at Simsbury High School.

This week, Emmanuel placed the Senior sign on our front lawn. It is a moment that connects him to his SHS peers and the long line of Simsbury ABC alumni who have stood in that same place and prepared to step into what comes next.

These last few weeks are very special, and we are here for every one of them, cheering as loud as we can as Emmanuel gets ready to turn the page on this chapter of his journey.

The Simsbury ABC family is behind you every step of the way, Emmanuel. We cannot wait to see everything you are going to do. 💙

05/13/2026

What a day! 💪

Our Simsbury ABC scholars headed to Farmington Valley CrossFit in Granby this week. From the first rep to the last, it was all about building strength and deepening the bonds that make this group so special.

Thank you to the incredible team at Farmington Valley CrossFit for opening your doors and welcoming our scholars with such enthusiasm. We appreciate you!

05/09/2026

We are so grateful to LearningWell Magazine for shining a light on the remarkable young men of the Simsbury ABC Program.

Writer Marjorie Malpiede captured something special in her piece "Learning Away": the courage it takes to leave home at 13, the bonds that form around a dinner table, and the quiet, steady growth that happens when young people are given educational opportunities and support.

And the photos by Alex Zdravkovic Ibarra? They capture the heart of our program.

This article reminds us why we do this work, which wouldn't be possible without the thoughtful support of our scholars, their families, the Simsbury community, and our donors.

Our Scholars aren't just getting a great education; they're learning who they are, building lifelong friendships, and preparing to be leaders.

We are honored to open the doors of the ABC House and invite you in to get to know us a little better.

Thank you LivingWell magazine, we appreciate your partnership and support.

The ABC program provides students from historically underserved communities a unique college prep experience

05/08/2026

We are proud to share that Simsbury ABC senior Emmanuel Croffie has committed to Trinity College, where he will pursue a degree in Economics and has been awarded the prestigious 1823 Scholarship.

Emmanuel arrived at our door four years ago from the Bronx, NY, when his family made the courageous decision to step forward and take advantage of everything Simsbury A Better Chance has to offer. From that first day, he embraced Simsbury ABC and Simsbury High School and never looked back.

In his time here, Emmanuel has become a true leader in our House and in his school community. He is a member of the Spanish, National, and Business Honor Societies, a multi-sport, multi-season athlete, and a Varsity Captain for SHS Basketball. His commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the court speaks for itself.

Emmanuel, your journey is a testament to what hard work, dedication, and courage can build. We are so proud of the young man you have become, and cannot wait to see all that lies ahead for you at Trinity College and beyond.

Congratulations, Emmanuel! We wish you every success on the road ahead.

Address

835 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT
06070

Telephone

+18602646188

Website

http://www.simsburyabetterchance.org/

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