a message from our
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT “As I heard the cheers, shrieks, screams, and gasps from the Student Activity Center during the last day of Spirit Week, I thought – wow! – like for real WOW! I get to be a small part of creating this space for these amazing humans. A space where we go above and beyond to KNOW them, to help them realize their unique gifts and potential and to empower them to be active creators of who they will be as adults.” As we close out this school year (and this chapter in history but I am not going to speak the C-word), I remain in awe that all of us in the Development Department get the opportunity to be part of this community and mission. When a student comes over to the Advancement Office to share a success or breakthrough, we all celebrate. We are not their teachers or counselors, but we are all their champions and advocates, and we will continue to do all that we can to provide for the overall health of this community. To that end we have done a lot in 2021-22! From our monthly Providence Pub Nights to our farewell (until 2026) Gala, we hosted or supported over 20 events with a determination to rebuild the sense of camaraderie and community that had stalled in the last few years. We supported our two parent volunteer groups, the Mothers’ Guild and the Parent Board, as they also worked to redefine and augment their support of the school and students. We continued to expand our alumni relations program by adding a closed social network called Graduway that I can best describe as a mash up between Facebook and LinkedIn. This new platform will allow us to share content that is relevant to alumni based on where they are in life while offering access to mentors and other professional opportunities – generations of Pioneers coming together to support each other! 22 | Vista 2022
We saw growth in our fundraising efforts through more parents giving to the Providence Fund, to the largest amount raised at a Gala in recent years, to being invited to apply to a local foundation for the largest non-capital grant ever (fingers crossed!), to being awarded enhancement funding from the State and more. At the core of our fundraising work is the commitment to “ease the way” of all our Pioneers, whether that means providing financial assistance for tuition, support to cover uniform costs, new lunch tables in the quad or enhanced equipment and materials – we are here to remove any obstacles that get in their way as they explore who they are, how they want to be of service to the world and what’s after Providence. My profound thanks to all our parent volunteers, our donors, my colleagues and to our students who give me energy every day. A special thanks to the members of the development team – Susan Yee, Assistant Director, Erin Griffith, Assistant Director, Sheridan Vititoe, Alumni Coordinator and Lisa Mallory, Development Coordinator. You four are nothing short of incredible and the commitment you bring to each other, and the mission is amazing. I am so grateful to work alongside each one of you. As I concluded last year’s letter, please remember I am here to chat anytime about ideas, concerns, or celebrations. Enjoy your summer!
Anja Kloch Director of Development
