When Tori Brinkley was 7 years old, she was dealing with the complex emotions and far-reaching ramifications of her parents splitting up. Beyond that, she said she was in need of someone to look up to, someone who could help guide her through the storm.
Luckily, Big Brothers Big Sisters gave her a “big sister:” Lisa Thomas, also the deputy director at Child Development Resources.
“I don’t have a lot of people in my life that usually influence me in the best ways. When Lisa came along, it was like I had a new best friend,” said Tori, now a freshman at Warhill High School.
Tori’s mom, Patricia Brown, said Thomas came into her daughter’s life at a crucial time, helping her stay on top of school and encouraging her to volunteer and help others, channeling those emotions into a positive force.
It’s the sort of impact Thomas has made often over the three decades she has spent helping build better futures for area children through various organizations. Set to retire from her position at CDR on June 30, her focus remains firmly on helping children as she reflects on her tenure and her plans to remain active in the community.
“It was really my desire to work with children that got me into CDR,” Thomas said.
Thomas’ tenure at CDR began in 1978 with an internship while she was pursuing a degree in psychology at the College of William and Mary, where she became the inaugural student in the school’s new internship program. At that time, CDR was more of a grassroots organization operating across from the campus inside Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
“When I got to William and Mary as a freshman, I knew that I wanted to major in psych and I knew I wanted to work with children,” she said.
Her subsequent experience interning in the Eastern State Hospital children’s unit, working closely with different age groups and particularly older children with severe emotional disturbances, taught her the importance of early intervention.
“It became so incredibly obvious that it makes way more sense to work with younger kids,” Thomas said. “If you can identify problems and address them quickly and resolve them, there’s the chance the child will be more successful.”
After earning a master’s degree in social work, Thomas joined CDR’s staff full-time in 1986, visiting families’ homes, facilitating parent groups, fundraising and even serving as interim executive director.
In 1998 she was appointed deputy director and head of children’s services, a role in which she oversees the direct services CDR provides to its 1,200-plus youth clients and their families each year. She’s worked with various local and state coalitions to secure support for early childhood services, served on Congressman Rob Wittman’s First District Education Advisory Council and worked as former Gov. Tim Kaine’s appointee to the P-16 State Education Council.
Expanding vision
During her time with CDR, Thomas has helped evolved the organization from focusing solely on children with disabilities into a broader early childhood center. One program became many, with several dedicated to health, school readiness, language, fatherhood and beyond. Through it all, Thomas adapted to fill whatever role might help the cause.
“I’ve worn a lot of different hats,” she said. “For me, it’s not about prestige and how much money you can make. I’m very mission-driven. I’m very committed to supporting parents.”
Paul Scott, CDR’s executive director, said Thomas’ evolving role at the organization is a testament to that commitment.
“Her dedication to CDR is obvious, and I think she’s done a tremendous amount to emphasize the importance of early childhood,” he said. “Lisa’s been through a lot of changes and seen a lot of things come and go. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with it, but she works hard and does great work.”
Thomas worked as a grant writer and trainer internationally, helping professionals in other countries such as China, Israel and Georgia through contracts offered to CDR.
“It’s really fascinating to talk to other folks to hear what their cultural perspectives are. It’s really amazing how much similarity there is,” she said.
As a result of that experience, Thomas received a Senior Global Educational Policy Fellowship through the Institute of Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve just been really fortunate to have those opportunities,” she said.
The right time
Thomas has also worked with other nonprofit organizations, such as the new Hope Family Village, which provides support to caregivers of individuals with mental health challenges, and the Historic Triangle Safe Kids coalition, where she served as president.
Working with the One Child Center for Autism, she championed the monthly Kids’ Night program, which offers parents of children with special needs a respite while their children enjoy hanging out and staying active at the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex. The program serves more than 100 children each month.
“It is a thing of beauty,” Thomas said.
Perhaps her most personal work involves Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she’s mentored several “little sisters,” including Tori, most recently.
Tori recalled when Thomas encouraged her to face her fear of heights through zip lining.
“Once you get up there and look around, it’s really pretty,” Tori said. “She taught me to see things and not overthink them.”
It’s a bond that extends well beyond the organization through which they met.
“I get just as much out of it, probably, maybe even more than she gets out of it. It’s just a really good way to connect one-on-one with a kid and see things with a fresh perspective,” Thomas said. “We’ve become parts of each other’s families.”
Tori explained why she thinks Thomas has excelled at working with children through CDR.
“She’s very understanding and kind when it comes to little kids,” she said. “I’ve got a lot of siblings, so I think that’s a big part of it. You’ve got to be able to be patient with them.”
CDR is currently focusing on expanding comprehensive services for prenatal and postnatal parents at a time in their lives when postpartum depression, anxiety and other issues can complicate the nature of parenthood. Thomas said she hopes CDR can continue expanding its services, but she’s proud of the progress made during her time there.
“The programs are in really great shape, so I feel really comfortable leaving,” she said. “The services are running smoothly. We’re in a good funding position. It feels like a good time.”
With five children and four grandchildren from Florida to California, retirement means a chance for Thomas to see her own family more often. She said her husband, who retired from NASA five years ago, is eager to travel the world. He began booking trips as soon as she made her decision to retire, and the couple plans to visit Iceland, Ireland and Scotland in the coming months, with Antarctica under consideration as well.
Thomas said she plans to continue working with CDR in a consulting capacity.
“I’m so invested in the success of this organization and I really believe in this mission,” she said. “I am looking forward to staying really actively engaged in the community and hoping to contribute in a meaningful way.”
The organization is in the process of looking for a successor, with candidate interviews planned in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Scott said he and the rest of the CDR team are proud and appreciative of Thomas and her efforts.
“Its a career worthy of celebration,” he said. “It’s a well-deserved retirement.”
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-790-3029.
