A Bittersweet Goodbye
To the incredible Mainspring Community,
After a year of being a part of the Mainspring Schools team, it is with very mixed emotions that I’m writing to inform you that I’m leaving my position as their Director of Development. While I am leaving the organization, I will continue to be a part of and support the movement to make high-quality early education accessible for families in need.
Leaving Mainspring Schools was not an easy decision. As some of you may know, I was born and raised in Connecticut, I have lived in Austin since May of 2016, and a majority of my family is back on the East Coast. We recently got the news about my ailing grandfather and it was a reminder of how short life is and how tomorrow is not promised. So while my next chapter is still up in the air, I have decided to make my primary focus the needs of my family and myself. Currently, I do not have another job lined up but I am excited to see where this journey leads me.
Having the opportunity and privilege to take some time for myself and decide where I go from here is one I will never take for granted. Friday, August 30th is my last day with this amazing organization, and feels like the right decision for me at this time.
Together, in this last year, we were able to:
Raise over $50,000 for playground upgrades with the Play4All campaign, in 2024
Provide services to our 96 students and their families
Bring back the Mainspring Fling, our annual fundraising event, and raise over $80,000
Have our 2024 Shining Stars class graduate kindergarten-ready
Serve 45,000 homemade meals from our kitchen
And much more
While the decision to leave is bittersweet, I know Mainspring Schools will continue to do the incredible work of preparing children ages six weeks to five years old for success in school and life through high-quality early education, nutrition, family services, and community building. We have a small but mighty team who I know will keep the ship on course and ensure that every child and family that steps into this school feels welcomed and supported.
My wish for the supporters of Mainspring is to keep them in your hearts and minds. They will need your help to be able to continue their important and impactful work. Volunteer. Advocate. Visit the campus. Donate. Tell folks about their work. Attend an event. Whatever feels right for you, just make sure you stay involved.
Mainspring has given me so much. The reminder to notice the little things. The privilege of experiencing the joy of our students, families, and teachers. Seeing the daily magic of Mainspring. I would love to give them something back and it would mean so much if you would join me in donating Mainspring. You can contribute here.
Thank you for your support and for continuing to love the little school doing big things.
Warmly,
Briona “Bri” Jenkins
