Keeping The Dream Alive

JOIN US
for

Dinner & Dancing Gala
Silent Auction
Saturday June 9, 2012
Dolce Norwalk

Welcome

The story and background of A Better Chance of Wilton is an interesting one, which I encourage you to read more about in the section on “Mission and FAQs.” The topic of our mission, however, bears some additional discussion. While our original focus was on the Scholars and what we could do for them, it evolved into a dual mission which addresses both what we could do for the Scholars and what we could do for the community. First, as part of A Better Chance National program, we wanted to take promising, disadvantaged, minority students and give them an outstanding high-school education. This education along with the character-building “Wilton Experience” would hopefully then lead to a four year college program followed by a productive and rewarding career. Second, it was also our hope to enrich our community by increasing the town’s and the high school’s diversity, while demonstrating our collective commitment as a community to help address racial inequities. We believe that the original two-fold mission is as relevant today as it was in the 90’s. From the program’s inception through the end of this school year, ABC of Wilton will have grown and graduated twenty three young men and three young women in its fifteen year history. 

Wilton citizens, foundations, organizations and others have been extremely generous and committed to ABC by consistently contributing, on an ongoing basis, the funds necessary to maintain the quality of the program. We also exist through unwavering support of the School System and the Board of Education. Through good economic times and, more recently, through the great recession, our community of supporters has been there for the program. Without them, A Better Chance of Wilton simply could not exist.

In addition, we are fortunate to have a large cadre of volunteers that performs the many functions and tasks to keep the program vital and operating efficiently. There are currently 162 ABC of Wilton volunteers, including nearly 30 board members, 49 drivers, 14 host families, college coaches, dedicated fund raisers and the list goes on. These volunteers provide the heart and soul of the program through their dedication and generous contributions of time, talent and enthusiasm; in addition to much needed and appreciated funding. In short, along with the Resident Directors, our volunteers help make the two houses homes for our Scholars. In return, Wilton has a richer, more diverse high school and community population because of the inclusion and participation of some talented, dedicated and very grateful Scholars in our ABC program.

For our Scholars, Wilton becomes their home away from home. They are proud to become part of a community which has reached out to them to help make their dreams of a successful future possible. Wilton’s ABC Scholars work in local businesses and volunteer in town organizations and events. They contribute and participate in school athletics, clubs, special activities and performing arts. No question, they work hard to become very much a valued part of the fabric of our town.

We invite you to get to know the ABC Program as it continues to improve and thrive. In a very large way, A Better Chance of Wilton is your program. It is of the community and it speaks of who we are. It is in the care of your neighbors and it exists with your generous support. We hope you share the pride of our volunteers in this wonderful program that they maintain for our town.

Sincerely,

John Klein
President