Who We Are
About Us
Since its founding in 1963, National A Better Chance (ABC) 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 180 boarding and day schools across the country or in one of 20 Community School Programs (CSPs). Simsbury ABC is a CSP.
Over 17,000 graduates have gone on to pursue further education and careers as a result of the opportunities provided by the National A Better Chance program. Participants who qualify for and are accepted into Simsbury ABC have access to unsurpassed educational and leadership opportunities.
Staff
Meet the staff that ensures the safety and well-being, as well as provides academic support, for our Simsbury ABC scholars.
Sheri and Jae Eklund,
Resident Directors
Sheri and Jae Eklund are the resident directors who provide day-to-day supervision, guidance, support, discipline and mentoring to the students.
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This is their second year serving as Resident Directors and prior to serving as Resident Directors, Sheri served on the Simsbury ABC Board as the Fundraising Committee Chair. Both Sheri and Jae have been long time residents of Simsbury and supporters of Simsbury ABC.
Douglas Nielson,
Resident Tutor
Doug organizes and monitors the students’ academic progress and study sessions. As a second career teacher, he has an aptitude for working with young people to hone their study skills.
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Doug has 25 years of business experience, much of it internationally with DHL, the Helsinki School of Economics, and Finland's Ministry of Trade and Industry. Currently, Doug teaches in the Business Department of Simsbury High School. “Being the tutor at ABC is a perfect fit for me, both personally and professionally,” Doug shared. “The ABC Program and students have been a joy to work with.”
Christine O’Hanlon-Bonchick
Program Administrator
Christine has a long history of working in non-profits and has a track record in business operations and administration. Christine has three children all of whom are in college.
Joan Robichaud and Stephanie Bologa
House Cooks
Joan and Stephanie share the cooking responsibilities for our Simsbury ABC scholars.
John Helmkamp
Bookkeeper
John pays the bills for Simsbury ABC and maintains the program income statement and balance sheet.
Board Of Directors
The Simsbury ABC Board of Directors is a dedicated group of community volunteers responsible for monitoring all of the activities of the Simsbury ABC House and ensuring financial and community support for the program. Through committees, these volunteer Board members select the scholars and program staff, raise funds to support the program, provide academic and personal counsel and maintain the residence.
Academic Advisors
Each Simsbury ABC student has an Academic Advisor who is a volunteer from the community. The student and Academic Advisor work together to establish academic goals, to organize and monitor school work and to identify and address any areas of concern. Academic Advisors also assist in course selection, adding or dropping courses, and meeting the academic criteria of the program and of Simsbury High School.
The Academic Advisor will arrange meetings with teachers and guidance personnel to discuss the student’s progress and to maintain communication between and among school personnel, Resident Directors, Tutors, Chair of the Academic Committee and parents regarding the student’s academic progress. They often serve as advocates for students with teachers and school administrators. Advisors encourage each student to develop other skills or interests through participation in extra-curricular activities in the school and/or community.