Leisa Pollander, Executive Director of Sara Holbrook Community Center, is happy to announce Vicky Senni as the new Associate Director of Sara Holbrook Community Center. “The Sara Holbrook Community Center is very lucky to have Vicky Senni join its dedicated team. Her thorough understanding of social and economic justice and her commitment to inclusion are a perfect fit with the Center's mission. She will support our efforts to make quality child care available to the children and families we serve."
Vicky earned a BS in Business Administration at the University of Dayton, and an MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management at Vermont’s School for International Training. She also participated in the Early Childhood Leadership Institute (ECLI) through the Snelling Center for Government.
Vicky moved to Brattleboro in 2009 to study at SIT. Her involvement in her community since then has included serving on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Brattleboro Food Co-op, and the Brattleboro Community Justice Center, where she collaboratively launched the Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She is also a member of the ECLI Advisory Committee and most recently, Vicky facilitated the Change Team at the Permanent Fund for Vermont’s Children, creating a vision for inclusion and teaming up with staff to challenge personal and institutional biases while working to achieve high-quality, affordable childcare for all of Vermont’s children.
Though her career began in international sales and manufacturing, the last 10+ years have been dedicated to working with children, families and teachers in many capacities and settings, both in Vermont and overseas. Most recently, Vicky was the Southern Vermont Regional Field Manager for Let’s Grow Kids.
“When I first toured Sara Holbrook Community Center over a year ago, I had no idea that the image of 15 preschool students (predominantly English-language learners), sitting in a circle together, would be forever imbedded in my mind. Many of the children and families that Sara Holbrook Center serves are historically underserved and left behind, and SHCC interrupts that cycle, giving every child in our programs the opportunity to take part in the life that surrounds them. I am so honored to be here and doing this work alongside an exceptionally talented and passionate staff. In today’s world, as we watch suffering close to home and far away, we have to do more and we have to do better. For me, this is the place to do it.”
The Sara Holbrook Community Center was established in 1937 and since its inception; the Center has been providing support and programs for children and their families in the North End and surrounding areas of Burlington. Annually it serves over 1,100 children through preschool, afterschool enrichment programs, summer adventure camp programs, and a teen center. The Center also offers English classes through its New Arrivals program and its partnership with Vermont Adult Learning. It also has an emergency food assistance program. The Center has two locations- 66 North Ave in the Old North End of Burlington and 130 Gosse Court in the New North End of Burlington. All the Center's programs are free or low-cost. For more information, visit: www.saraholbrookcc.org.