By: Paula Sasso
Fifty years ago, a small group of women in Worcester decided that no woman should have to choose between an unsafe home and no home at all. That decision became Abby’s House. Since 1976, we have provided safe shelter, affordable housing, and advocacy to more than 16,145 women and children.
We have never taken government funding to do this work which means every dollar we raise, budget, and steward comes from people who believe in this mission. It also means the strength of our Board, especially our financial leadership, matters more than most people realize.
That is why we are looking for our next Board Treasurer.
What the Treasurer Does
The Treasurer is the Board’s financial steward. It is a role built on a genuine investment in where this organization is headed next.
Working closely with our Executive Director, Senior Director of Finance, and Board Finance Committee, the Treasurer will:
- Oversee financial planning and long-term financial health
- Review financial reports and the annual budget, and recommend Board approval
- Present financial updates to the full Board
- Review annual audits and tax filings
It is hands-on and it puts real financial expertise to work for something bigger than a balance sheet.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for a woman in the Central Massachusetts area with a background in finance, accounting, budgeting, or a related field. Experience with non-profit financial management is a plus, though not required. What matters most is a genuine belief in our mission and a willingness to help carry it forward.
Why This Role Matters
Every budget decision this Board makes touches a real person. It means that our 18-bed shelter stays open and helps a woman find an affordable apartment at 52 High Street, 19 Crown Street, or 77 Chatham Street. Sometimes, it even means a family gets to stay together instead of being separated by circumstance.
Financial stewardship is not separate from our mission, it’s is how our mission survives another 50 years.
How to Get Involved
If this sounds like you we’d love to connect! Reach out to Julie Frias at jmcgown15@gmail.com to learn more about the role and what it looks like to serve.
Fifty years in, Abby’s House is still standing because people stepped up when it mattered!! This could be your chance!!
About the Author
Paula Sasso first connected with Abby’s House as a student, drawn to its mission of providing safety and opportunity for women and children and that connection stuck. Over the years, she has continued to give back and advocate for the organization in ways big and small, work that earned her the Annette Rafferty Award.
Today, Paula serves as President of the Abby’s House Board of Directors and the head of the finance committee. Her commitment shows up in real work: strengthening programs, supporting financial stability, and helping build the organization’s presence in the community.
About Abby’s House
Abby’s House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter, affordable housing, and advocacy services to women and children experiencing homelessness and housing instability. For 50 years, Abby’s House has remained committed to creating safe, supportive environments where women receive resources they need to build self-directed live. Grounded in principles of DEI, accessibility, antiracism, and belonging, our work is guided by a deep commitment to advancing social justice and strengthening our community.
In 2026, Abby’s House proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, honoring five decades of impact while looking ahead to the future of our mission. To mark this milestone, we invite you to join us at our 17th Annual Hybrid 5K, where everyone who has been part of the Abby’s House story can come together to celebrate what has been accomplished and help build what’s next for the women and children we serve. Your participation helps open the door to opportunity. We hope to see you at the starting line.
Learn more about our work, sponsor the race, or register today.