Who we are
A Better Chance (ABC) was founded in 1964 in response to racial segregation. ABC was to be an educational program that provided scholarships for low-income students to attend more nurturing and rigorous schools in the Northeast.
Williamstown’s ABC program was established in 1968. This program was funded by various sources over the years, and in 1994 Williamstown community members organized a clothing sale to further support ABC. This annual sale became a mainstay in the region, serving those in need of clothing, and providing major funding for the ABC students.
Williamstown’s ABC disbanded in 2015, but community members opted to continue the successful clothing sale fundraiser, renaming it A Better Community and donating all proceeds to local charities. The pandemic put an end to the annual clothing sale in 2020, but thanks to the kind invitation of a local merchant, ABC began holding Saturday pop-ups on Spring Street to great success.
That success inspired ABC volunteers to approach Williams College about occupying one of their storefronts. Knowing the group’s mission benefited both the community and its resident students, the college generously agreed.
Today, abc clothing shop continues as a volunteer and board-run venture. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Williams College, as well as its students who are some of our best customers. ABC provides the community with grants-by-application, supporting charitable causes that contribute to the well-being of our neighbors. And of course, both locals and visitors alike enjoy shopping our ever-changing “wardrobe.”