In the 1970s, Annette Rafferty answered an invitation from the Worcester Urban Ministry Commission to tackle homelessness in the Worcester community, specifically among women and children.
As chair of a task force, Rafferty proposed a solution: open a new shelter to serve those vulnerable populations. When the idea was voted down by the commission, Rafferty resigned from the task force and launched a grassroots effort to bring a shelter to the city.
Fifty years later, Abby’s House remains an important resource for women and children, providing shelter, support and community.
Abby’s House recognized its 50th anniversary during a special ceremony on May 29, “I Am Abby’s House: 50 Years of Brilliance & Belonging.” The evening showcased the people and stories that have shaped the organization over the decades, featuring remarks from supporters and residents, awards for staff and volunteers, and a fashion show spanning the decades that highlighted the agency’s popular thrift shop.
It was a night of celebration, recognition and legacy, but also a reminder that the organization’s work is far from complete.
During her speech, Abby’s House Executive Director Julie Orozco reflected on how 50 years can bring growth, change and resilience. She compared the evolution of the organization to the experiences a woman might encounter over the course of her life, noting how Abby’s House has matured and adapted while remaining grounded in its mission.
At a time when homelessness remains a pressing issue in Worcester and Central Massachusetts, Orozco said the organization continues to serve as an essential resource.
“Fifty years ago, Abby’s House began as something deeply grassroots. A small collective of women saw suffering around them and decided that they weren’t going to look away,” said Orozco in her address to the sold-out crowd of supporters.
“They didn’t have endless resources, they didn’t have polished systems, I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a strategic plan, but what they had was conviction. They had humanity, courage, and a belief that women deserved dignity, safety, and belonging, and over the years Abby’s House has grown just like we women grow. Abby’s House has learned, it has adapted, it has weathered difficult seasons, it’s made mistakes and kept going. Abby’s has become wiser, steadier, and more rooted. While the organization has evolved in countless ways over five decades, the heart of it has remained the same: the belief that every woman deserves to be seen, valued, and held with dignity.”
Among the evening’s speakers were Worcester City Manager Eric Batista and City Councilor-at-Large Kate Toomey, who praised the agency’s decades-long commitment to helping women and families in need. The pair presented Abby’s House with the Key to the City, the organization’s fifth such honor — one for each decade of service to Worcester.
Abby’s House resident Nancy Corey served as this year’s featured mission storyteller, sharing how the agency changed her life and offering a glimpse into one of the many life-changing stories connected to Abby’s House over the past 50 years.
Several awards were also presented during the celebration. Jeanne Adler, a volunteer for more than 35 years, received the Annette Rafferty Award. Dr. Jennifer Hylton, executive director of CAC Worcester and an advocate for mental health services in the region, received the Liberty Farm Award. State Sen. Robyn Kennedy was presented with the Abby Kelley Foster Award for her longtime support of the organization.
Two Stephen S. Foster Awards were presented: one to the Dabrowski family of Webster, longtime supporters of Abby’s House who were recognized in honor of their daughter Amanda, and another to BUW Local 330 for helping bring holiday celebrations to Abby’s House residents and guests.
The agency’s Haven Award was presented to the collective volunteers of the Abby’s House Thrift Shop.
The evening also featured the first presentation of the Light Keeper Award, which honors a staff member who serves as a beacon of advocacy within the Abby’s House community. Dedicated to former residents Junie and Freda, the inaugural award was presented to Women’s Advocate Shayla Halloran.
