Impact
A Better Chance is a transformative national non-profit dedicated to empowering talented young people of color to become future leaders. For over five decades, the A Better Chance of Andover program has been a catalyst for change, guiding over 150 scholars through Andover High School. The program's impact is undeniable, with an astounding 97% of these graduates going on to earn college diplomas. This remarkable success rate underscores the program's effectiveness in nurturing academic excellence and leadership potential, significantly contributing to a more diverse and inclusive American society
Our Program
A Better Chance of Andover is one of the Community School Programs within the national A Better Chance non-profit organization. The program provides academically talented young women of color an opportunity to grow, thrive, and become leaders. Accepted Scholars attend nationally accredited Andover High School and have access to its expansive college preparatory and leadership programs. The Scholars live in a dormitory setting on Main Street and are supported by academic advisors, college counselors, a host family, and a community of volunteers. To date, over 150 alumni have gone on to selective 4-year colleges.
The program includes study-hour supervision, academic tutoring, college preparation, and a wide range of enrichment activities and trips during the school year as well as summer academic and travel opportunities. Scholars are encouraged to fully immerse in the Andover High School experience by participating and leading in sports, community service, or one of the over 90 clubs or after-school activities available to them. Graduates continue on to selective 4-year colleges and become leaders in their communities, workplaces, faith groups, and throughout their lives.
ABC of Andover is affiliated with the A Better Chance national organization for recruitment and preparation of candidates but raises all funding on its own. We rely on the generosity of individual donors (72% of our funds) and institutions throughout the Merrimack Valley—dollars go exclusively to programming and operating costs.
The Andover community gains a tremendous benefit by having these young women in our lives and we are extremely fortunate to have the Andover community's generous support of our goal, to change young lives and ensure that these talented young scholars build leadership skills along their educational journey.
Our Scholars
(from left to right - front row) Alexia, Arilady, Danessa, Lauren, Mikayla, (back row) Trevoya, Mané, Fatou.
Mané is a senior and is from Harlem, NY — FUN FACT: Her favorite subjects are BioTech and Anatomy
Alexia is a junior and is from Tampa, Florida — FUN FACT: Her favorite hobby is running
Arilady is a sophomore and is from Brooklyn, NY — FUN FACT: Her favorite TV Show is Suits.
Fatou is a sophomore and is from Yonkers, NY — FUN FACT: Her favorite celebrity is Finn Wolfhard
Lauren is a sophomore and is from Washington, DC — FUN FACT: Her favorite sport is football.
Mikayla is a sophomore and is from Euclid, OH (outside Cleveland) — FUN FACT: Her favorite sweet is Matcha.
Danessa is a first-year and is from Pelham, NH — FUN FACT: Her favorite animal is a sloth.
Trevoya is a first-year and is from Queens, NY — FUN FACT: Her favorite place in the world is Hawaii.
Our Staff
Janina, Resident Director
Janina is originally from Lawrence, MA, and graduated from Springfield College with a degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work. With more than 12 years of experience working with children and teens ages 3–18 in classrooms, after-school programs, and summer camps, she is passionate about supporting young people’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
Outside of work, Janina enjoys playing recreational softball and volleyball, staying active at the gym, and relaxing with puzzles and word searches. She brings the same energy, teamwork, and curiosity to her work with teens every day.
Taj, Resident Assistant
Taj joined ABC Andover in February 2025 as a Resident Assistant, bringing years of experience supporting at-risk youth in Roxbury. A native of the Greater Boston area, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bridgewater State University and her MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.
With more than 25 years of experience in accounting, administration, and operations, Taj also serves as an Accountant and Office Manager for a boutique law firm. She is passionate about ABC Andover’s mission to expand educational opportunity and foster a supportive, empowering community for Scholars — and she loves seeing the Scholars grow and discover their potential.
Jerika, Resident Social Worker
Jerika is the METCO Coordinator and School Adjustment Counselor at Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools in Reading, MA. She has over 10 years of experience supporting children and families across group homes, clinical settings, and schools, including work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, DCF, and The Home for Little Wanderers.
Passionate about creating safe and empowering environments where every student can thrive, Jerika is also active in promoting inclusion through initiatives like Multicultural Night and A World of Difference. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Salem State University and her Master of Social Work from Regis College. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Cassie, Resident Assistant
Bio coming soon
Board of Directors
Governing Board
Sandis Wright, Co-Chair
Allison Reilly, Co-Chair
Julie Ireland Childs, Secretary
Kathleen Eldridge, Vice Chair
Andrew Gribbel, Treasurer
Nikelle King ‘96, Strategic Director At-Large
Operating Board
Emily Collins
Eugenio “Geno” Concepcion ‘71
Lizzie Conover
Courtney Cooper
Lala Cronin
Katarina Curtin
Rodney “RJ” Johnson
Gloria Rosario Wallace ‘99
Delia Vallejo Welch
Sameer Yadav
Bonnie Zahorik