News

Year 4 of the ABC Wilton Life Skills Program kicks off – 26 September 2016

At A Better Chance of Wilton (ABC), the mission is to teach our Wilton Scholars to succeed in today’s complex world by acquiring a better education and the work ethic to support it. A few years ago, we set out a plan to augment the amazing education the scholars get at Wilton High school by teaching common sense topics and capabilities we teach our children at home. We incorporated the Life Skills Program into the scholar curriculum so when students graduate they are better prepared for the college experience and life’s adult challenges. Each Life Skills topic is organized into an interactive workshop setting and delivered by subject matter experts. Topics may be considered “dry” but thanks to the creativity of our volunteers, the energy and effort in which the topics were delivered made all the difference in engaging the ABC students.

Life Skills 2014 12 06 Self Defense 1 Life Skills 2015 05 11 1

As we embark on the 2016-2017 ABC program, we would like to pause, and formally recognize each workshop’s leader from last year’s Life Skills program and provide a huge “Thank You” for the thoughtfulness and energy each brought to the sessions. We are grateful for some very special members of our Wilton community and a few from New York for sharing their special talents with our scholars. The influence of these leaders on the development of our scholars outside the classroom is simply tremendous.

Lifeskill Speaker Company Topic
Michael Gordon Middlebrook School Leadership Retreat – “Be Accountable”
Sarah LaFleur MML LaFeur NY Entrepreneurial CEO/Leader
Master Olmedo Special Forces and Self Defense Self Defense and Leadership
Ellen Byrne Elle Partners Myers Briggs Analysis/Make it a Win-Win
Bob Russell Wilton Town Historian History of Wilton
Anne Mitrione Bankwell Wilton Personal Financial Management
Sue Johnson & Florene Kissy Genre Keys to Leadership
Michael Perri Forevermark USA True or False: Media Today
Michael LeBeau Scrum50 Social Media – Be Careful
Sarah Hagan The Wilton Y Swimming Lessons
David Clune NY Federal Reserve The Role of the Fed

Other contributors to our unique Life Skills Program include: CT Coffee – Jim Shilleh, Joy Ride Wilton, Bowlmor NY – Brett Parker, The Wilton Deli , Wilton Pizza, Marley’s – Mike LeBeau, Bolton Landscaping – Jeff Lapnow, Bow Tie Theatres – Robin Fields, The Wilton Historical Society, The Wilton Library, and the Wilton Congregational Church.

Life Skills 2014 12 07 Culinary Skills 1

Footnote: For the second straight year, we have held a year-long cooking contest between the Boy Scholars and the Girl Scholars. After each Life Skill Session, either the girls or boys prepare, cook, serve and provide hospitality for the other house scholars. This is another critical Life Skill our program teaches each ABC Scholar. Each event is scored based on the quality, manners, and hospitality of each house and totaled for the year. The SchoolHouse Champion for the school year 2015-2016 – The Girl Scholars. The award is presented to the scholars each year by Tim LeBlant.Life Skills Hawaiian Dinner 2015 03 10

More Updates

ABC IS THANKFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

A Better Chance of Wilton is grateful to the community for their continued support of this vital program.  We send our best wishes to you and your family for a … Continue reading » Read More

Videos: Our Scholars respond to “Who Am I?” – 6 November 2020

Our 2020-21 ABC Scholars would like you to know them a little better. Isabelle is a senior, Nia and Cindy are sophomores, and Fatou and Courtney are freshmen at WHS. … Continue reading » Read More

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SENIORS!- 28 July 2020

We are extremely proud of our senior scholars who have all been part of the ABC Wilton program for four years and only regret that the Coronavirus prevented us from … Continue reading » Read More

ABC Wilton Speaks Up #BlackLivesMatter – 18 June 2020

A Better Chance of Wilton stands for the hope of equality in education + opportunity. We will continue to speak out against the inequality facing the black community in America. … Continue reading » Read More

ABC Wilton Covid-19 Update – 3 April 2020

These unprecedented times have impacted us all, including our ABC Wilton family. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support you have all shown us. A Better … Continue reading » Read More

Podcast Unites Two Wilton Women Who Called ABC House ‘Home’–68 Yrs. Apart – 14 February 2020

By Heather Borden Herve, GMW Editor – February 14, 2020 After the success of its first podcast, Stay at Home in Wilton has released the second in the series, “The Story Next Door,” bringing two … Continue reading » Read More

A Better Chance (ABC) to Phase Out Boys’ Program – 15 October 2019

By Heather Borden Herve, GMW Editor  – October 15, 2019 A Better Chance (ABC) of Wilton made a surprise announcement Monday morning–after 23 years of helping inner-city students access a challenging … Continue reading » Read More

ABC Update – 17 September 2019

ABC Wilton has just completed its 23rd year successfully transforming the lives of high school students from under served communities.  We have nine students in our program and we are … Continue reading » Read More