PRESS RELEASE
Contact Information:
Jen Faber, Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
Katie Neville, Executive Director
Acton-Boxborough United Way
For Immediate Release
School District, United Way partner to launch the
Acton-Boxborough Resource Center
Acton, MA, August 2023 - Acton-Boxborough Regional School District and Acton-Boxborough United Way today announced a partnership to launch the Acton-Boxborough Resource Center (ABRC). Located at the district's Administration Building, alongside school registration and language assessment services, ABRC will connect Acton and Boxborough residents to local resources, striving to advance the district’s core values on wellness, equity, and engagement. The center will emphasize assisting families with language barriers, those joining the community from abroad, and families who would benefit from additional community-based services and supports beyond those offered in the schools.
Thanks to state funding secured by State Senator Jamie Eldridge, the district has been able to re-purpose space in the Administration Building at 15 Charter Road in Acton, which became available when Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program moved to the new Boardwalk Campus last year. The center will open on Monday, August 14, with initial hours of Monday through Thursday, 10 AM - 2 PM (or by appointment), with operating hours expanded over the course of the year.
Acton-Boxborough United Way is bringing its decades of experience partnering with dozens of local nonprofits to build out a multi-faceted program for the Resource Center. Residents of Acton and Boxborough can:
- Drop in to talk with one of the volunteer greeters. Greeters will answer questions about Acton and Boxborough, refer to local resources, and help residents access what they need to thrive. Current volunteer language capacity includes Portuguese, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Tamil, Hindi, and Ukrainian. Email abrc@abschools.org to request a time for a specific language.
- Discover local resources anytime on the Acton-Boxborough Resource Site (abuw.org/resources). Visitors can explore by topic or use the search feature to look for something specific.
- Access supports on-site (providing essentials like backpacks and winter jackets to families in need) and pop-up events like flu clinics and English-language conversation groups.
“Too often residents don’t access resources simply because they don’t know what’s available or where to turn for information,” said A-B United Way’s Executive Director Katie Neville. “We’re excited to provide a one-stop Center where neighbors can stop by to learn about anything from food and transportation resources to local hiking trails and volunteer opportunities.”
“We know our students do better when their families have the resources they need to thrive and find connections within the community,” said AB Schools Superintendent Peter Light. “In an especially tight budget year, we are incredibly grateful for this partnership with the United Way and for Senator Eldridge’s advocacy through the budget process to help make this a reality.”
Officials announced two upcoming events open to the public at the new Center:
- Wednesday, September 13: Open House, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, including a Ribbon Cutting at 3:30 PM.
- Monday, October 2: Community Resource and Volunteer Fair, 4:00 - 7:00 PM.
To learn more, visit the ABRC website.
About AB Schools: Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (ABRSD) is a comprehensive PreK-12 public school system serving approximately 5,300 students in the communities of Acton and Boxborough, located about 20 miles northwest of Boston. Our mission is to develop engaged, well-balanced learners through collaborative caring relationships and we are deeply committed to our values of Wellness, Equity and Engagement. ABRSD is comprised of nine schools including our early childhood program, six elementary schools, a junior high school, and our high school. Learn more at abschools.org.
About Acton-Boxborough United Way: Acton-Boxborough United Way (ABUW) mobilizes every resource, partner, and voice to solve the toughest issues facing Acton and Boxborough. We raise funds to support local nonprofits through impact grants, and collaborate to work directly on our five strategic focus areas: early childhood success, financial stability, mental well-being, equity & racial justice, and crisis preparedness. Learn more at abuw.org.