We are pleased to share the latest edition of "Inside Action," the quarterly newsletter

for Action for a Better Community!

ABC Awarded Federal Head Start Grant – Continuing Nearly 60-Year Tradition of High-Quality Services to Children and Families 

Action for a Better Community (ABC) is proud to announce that it has been selected by the federal Office of Head Start to receive an annual $17 million grant (renewable for a five-year period) to continue operating both Head Start and Early Head Start services in Rochester. The decision by the Office of Head Start (part of the US Department of Health and Human Services) to award ABC this funding validates ABC’s approach. It reflects ABC‘s almost 60-year track record of providing some of the best early childhood education services in the region and nation.

ABC will continue to make the Head Start and Early Head Start programs even stronger by:



• Using a new curriculum that emphasizes interactive, hands-on learning that benefits the whole child and engages the entire family in learning.
• Using technology in the classroom provides teachers with additional resources to assess program quality and customize the classroom experience for each child.
• Significantly increasing highly competitive compensation for educational, family, and support staff that recognizes ABC’s unique value proposition: our dedicated, compassionate, and highly qualified staff.  
• Increasing program slots for infants and toddlers to meet the community’s significant, and currently unmet, need for high-quality, no-cost early childhood programming for Rochester’s youngest residents.

Qualified individuals interested in employment opportunities should contact ABC’s Human Resources Department at 585-325-5116 ext. 4200 or by visiting our website by clicking the "Apply Here" button below.

Families interested in enrolling their children in Early Head Start or Head Start programs can receive informational and application materials by visiting any of our locations, which are listed on our website. You can also click the "Learn More" button below or call 325-5116 x 3330 for more information."

ABC to Receive National Honor for Pursuing Organizational Excellence

This August, Action for a Better Community will be one of a small number of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) from across the country to be recognized for completing the Bronze Tier of the Pathways to Excellence program. There are over 1,000 CAAs in the national Community Action network and only a small number have achieved this distinction.

What is the Pathways to Excellence Program? It is a program designed to promote best-in-class non-profit and Community Action practices. The program is modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige Excellence Framework, an approach recognized around the world for its ability to identify organizations that operate efficiently and deliver results.

ABC’s Board of Directors and leadership team have made organizational excellence a strategic priority for ABC. “ABC is going to celebrate its 60th birthday next year,” noted President & CEO Jerome Underwood. “If we are going to be around for another 60 years and achieve our mission of making this community a place of belonging and opportunity for all, then we need to be the best we can be.”

A team of 9 ABC staff and Board members comprise the agency’s Excellence Team. To achieve the Bronze Tier of the Pathways program, the team has studied the Standards of Excellence and has begun considering how those Standards can become part of ABC’s daily operations. What is the next step in ABC’s Pathways journey? The Silver Tier, where ABC’s Excellence Team will begin a rigorous assessment of the organization’s operations to identify areas for improvement.

As former Executive Director James “Mamba” McCuller was fond of saying, “Good, better, best… never let it rest, until the good is better and the better is best!” 

ABC and Rise Up Rochester Receive $50,000 Grants to Support Violence Prevention

Action for a Better Community (ABC) is thrilled to announce a significant boost in funding that will enhance our violence prevention efforts in Rochester. Thanks to the advocacy of NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester), ABC and our partner organization, Rise Up Rochester, will each receive $50,000 in state funding dedicated to our vital work in the community.

This funding will directly support our Save Our Youth Program (SOY), which aims to engage with youth currently involved in or at risk of becoming involved in violent incidents. Through conflict mediation, case management, and training, SOY provides essential resources to help young people navigate conflicts without resorting to violence. This investment will allow us to expand our outreach efforts, increase the number of workshops and training sessions available, and enhance our technological capabilities to better serve our community.

Jerome Underwood, President and CEO of ABC, expressed gratitude for this funding, stating, "Organizations like ABC and Rise Up Rochester work hard every day to disrupt the cycle of violence and put members of our community in a position to succeed. These intervention efforts are pivotal to both preventing violence and taking care of victims in their time of need." Underwood emphasized the importance of proactive measures, noting that building the character of our young people is a far more effective and sustainable approach than reactive solutions.

The partnership with Rise Up Rochester is particularly significant, as both organizations are committed to holistic violence prevention strategies. Rise Up Rochester will utilize its funding to support programs that disrupt violence and provide essential resources to crime victims and their families. Together, we are part of the Rochester Peace Collective, a coalition dedicated to bringing investments into proven violence prevention programs in our city.

As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering a safer and more supportive environment for all members of our community. The funding secured through Senator Cooney's office is a testament to the collaborative efforts of local organizations, and we look forward to leveraging these resources to create lasting positive change in Rochester. Thank you to all our supporters and partners who make this work possible. Together, we can build a brighter future for our youth and our community.

Celebrating Diversity: ABC Shines at Rochester PRIDE Parade and Festival! 

Action for a Better Community (ABC) proudly marched alongside over 250 organizations in the Rochester PRIDE Parade on Saturday, July 20th. This year’s parade and festival set a new attendance record with nearly 25,000 people participating, offering a fantastic opportunity for ABC to engage with the Rochester community.

The overwhelming turnout was a powerful demonstration of support for the LGBTQIA+ community, underscoring Rochester's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The parade route was packed with spectators, sometimes six deep, all eager to cheer on the parade groups and celebrate Pride.

Although our group was smaller this year, with just over 20 staff, peers, and family members walking, the support across ABC was more expansive than ever. Staff from every division came together to plan, execute, and support ABC Pride. Managers and executive staff, including ABC’s President and CEO Jerome Underwood, were present at the Parade & Festival, contributing to a palpable sense of community and belonging.

The event featured terrific entertainment, captivating parade floats, and a vibrant crowd, making it ABC’s best Pride showing. The energy and enthusiasm were infectious, with parade watchers competing to see who could cheer the loudest.

Pride 2024 was a remarkable success, and we look forward to an even bigger, better, and more diverse Pride 2025.

ABC lives and breathes community action, striving to meet or exceed standards of excellence in serving the greater Rochester area, Monroe, and Ontario counties. Pride 2024 was a living testament to these goals and achievements. Thank you to everyone who made this event unforgettable, and we eagerly anticipate continuing our mission to uplift and support our community.

ABC Celebrates Community Action Month!

Every May, Action for a Better Community (ABC) leads our community’s celebration of Community Action Month. The month is a time to honor the 60 years that Community Action has been America’s most powerful anti-poverty program. Community Action was a concept that came out of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty and the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. It is both a movement and a concept. It embraces full participation in Community affairs by all people – regardless of wealth or position – and it encourages government, the private sector, and community residents to work together to address the causes and conditions of poverty. ABC is the only federally- and state-designated Community Action Agency serving Monroe and Ontario Counties. It is one of over 1,000 CAAs across the country working every day to make America a better place to live.

This past May 18, ABC celebrated the power of community partnerships at its annual Community Action Month celebration at Martin Luther King, Jr Park in downtown Rochester. Over 500 residents and community partners shared information, enjoyed performances by youth and adult step and dance groups, and were entertained by balloon and face-painting artists, bounce houses, and a festive, fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Several banks and credit unions contributed resources to support a special homebuying “village” where residents could learn how they could start on a path to homeownership. Mark your calendar for May 17, 2025, and join us next year for an even bigger and better celebration!

ABC was also out in the community participating in our community’s recognition of Juneteenth and Pride Month. A contingent of ABC staff marched in the city of Rochester’s Juneteenth parade, marking an important date in our nation’s civil rights history. ABC staff will also march in the July Pride Parade on July 20 to support the full inclusion and belonging of the LGBTQ+ community. ABC has proudly re-designed its logo with a rainbow theme to mark this important community observance.

Be on the lookout throughout the year for ABC at events such as these. ABC upholds the promise of Community Action: We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other!



Action for a Better Community Hosts 29th Annual James M. McCuller Golf Outing

On May 18th, Action for a Better Community (ABC) hosted its 29th Annual James M. McCuller Memorial Golf Outing at the beautiful Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford. This event honors the legacy of James M. McCuller, a distinguished anti-poverty leader and executive director of ABC for 25 years until his passing in 1992. McCuller, an avid golfer, dedicated his life to advocating for the poor and championing social justice.

This year's golf outing was a tremendous success, with over one hundred participants coming together to support ABC's vital work. The event raised unrestricted funds that will help sustain and expand ABC’s diverse range of programs, furthering its mission to combat poverty and promote social justice.

The tournament featured a competitive spirit, culminating in F.W. Construction winning both the ABC Cup and the ABC Championship. Following the tournament, an awards dinner was held to honor the participants and recognize the sponsors whose generous support made the event possible.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our Tournament Sponsor, Bene-Care; Eagle Sponsors, Intivity & RG&E; Food Sponsor, World Alliance Insurance; and Beverage Cart Sponsors, Flaherty Salmin CPAs, Landsman Real Estate Management, & Paris Heating and Cooling. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Goodman Janitorial, our Golf Ball Logo Sponsor, and the numerous Corporate Foursome Sponsors, including ES &L, Doyle Security, US Ceiling, Don Knapp, FW Construction, Wise Home Energy, Crown Castle, Ted Nixon, Neverwet Basement, William Vasciannie, SGRI, CleanCraft, HPA Group, Gallagher, and Forged in Metal.

A special thank you goes out to the staff at Locust Hill Country Club. Their professionalism and dedication were instrumental in making this event a tremendous success. Their hard work ensured that everything ran smoothly and that all participants had a memorable experience.

As we reflect on the success of this year’s event, we are already looking forward to the 30th Annual James M. McCuller Golf Outing next year. We aim to make it an even bigger celebration of McCuller's legacy and ABC's continued commitment to fighting poverty and promoting social justice.

For those who could not attend but wish to support ABC’s mission, there are numerous ways to get involved. Contributions, volunteering, and participating in future events are all valuable ways to make a difference. Please visit our website at www.abcinfo.org for more information.

Thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and supported ABC’s 29th Annual James M. McCuller Golf Outing. Together, we are taking action to build a better community.

ABC Team to Present on DEI/B Efforts at NYSCAA Annual Conference

We are excited to announce that on September 18, 2024, Brianna Milon (Communications Specialist – Community Development Department) and Ken Porter-Hutton (Quality Assurance Specialist – Planning & Evaluation) will join Gerri Regan, Coordinator of Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at PEACE Inc. in Syracuse, NY, for a co-presentation at the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA) Annual Conference in Lake Placid, NY.

Their presentation will delve into the journeys of implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI/B) initiatives at each agency. They will cover the steps taken, agency support, resources, activities, challenges, and successes in fostering a more inclusive community that creates a sense of belonging. Known for their enlightening, humorous, and interactive style, Brianna and Ken’s presentation promises to be one of the conference highlights.

ABC’s DEI/Belonging efforts align seamlessly with our new Strategic Framework, Community Action Organizational Standards, and the NCAP Standards of Excellence that we are pursuing. Since spring, Brianna and Ken, along with Patricia Lloyd (COO) and Aaron Wicks (VP of Planning & Evaluation), have been strategizing to advance these initiatives. A formal community action plan will eventually be developed and presented to the CEO and ABC Board for approval.

Leadership development remains a strong focus for ABC. Last year, Brianna graduated from the Pride Leadership Development Program at United Way, and Ken has applied for this year’s cohort. Brianna and Ken are also planning to receive Train-The-Trainer certification from Safe Zone®, enabling them to conduct internal staff and management training on DEI topics, particularly LGBTQIA+ issues such as personal pronouns, safe spaces, gender identity and expression, and inclusivity.

In our commitment to advancing DEI/Belonging goals, we are reaching out to other community-based organizations like the MOCHA Center, Rochester Rainbow Union, and ESL to develop meaningful connections. Future actions may include updates to policies, procedures, forms, recruitment, outreach, and community partnerships.

ABC is dedicated to community action and strives to meet or exceed standards of excellence in serving the greater Rochester area, Monroe, and Ontario counties. We are proud of our progress and look forward to continuing our mission to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.

Celebrating Excellence: Linda King-Bronner Receives Prestigious Community Award

Action for a Better Community is incredibly proud of Linda King-Bronner, Director of Health Services, for being awarded the annual Charlotte Hegedus Community Excellence Award by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Rochester Area. The award is given to professionals who have consistently demonstrated a high level of cooperative work with individuals or groups with substance use disorders and who have served as a role model for other professionals for at least five years. As the 2024 recipient, Linda joins an esteemed group of individuals who have been given this honor. ABC thanks Linda and her team for their dedication and commitment to the community. 

Here are a few of the open positions at ABC. For a full list of open positions and to apply, click the "Apply Here" button.