She has been a teaching assistant, stage manager, choir director, and part of the administrative team at The Village of Arts and Humanities. But Brenda Toler’s most memorable role here has been as a Village guardian, acting as a mother figure to so many. She has bonded with countless staff members, program participants, and community members with consistent smiles, hugs, and a listening ear. With a mix of sadness and gratitude, we announce Ms. Brenda is stepping into her next role of retiree after nearly 30 years at The Village.
Ms. Brenda first learned of The Village in 1996 while living in the Fairhill-Hartranft neighborhood. Her son Jamile came home one day, and she asked where he had been. He replied, “Around the corner with the Chinese lady.” That prompted Ms. Brenda to find the woman he was talking about. She met Lily Yeh, and their encounter made Village history!
During their conversation, Lily told Brenda that she wanted to start a program for younger children, ages 5 to 12 years old, called the Fledglings at The Village. Lily hired Ms. Brenda as a teaching assistant for the program, supporting the students as they learned dance, art, drumming, and computers.
Brenda has held many other positions working with The Village youth, including stage manager for the theatre program, choir director, and program manager of the Rise to the Future summer camp. Around 2005, Village leadership recognized Ms. Brenda’s warmth and people skills, offering her a job at the front desk, where she could be part of the administrative team.
“There [are] about a thousand plus kids that I have connected with and families, still connected with. And the students that come through here.”
In this role, Ms. Brenda has interacted with nearly every person who has stepped on The Village’s Creative Campus, making them feel at home. Known for her bubbly personality, Ms. Brenda offers hugs, care, and guidance to so many members of the community. She appreciates the impact she has made through these interactions.
“So many people that you come into contact with, they’re bearing so much pain and suffering. And they’ll come in, and I’ll be like, ‘Hi boo, give me a hug.’ It’s just amazing how you don’t know how you save someone’s life… by just giving them a hug that day.”
Ms. Brenda is also immensely grateful for The Village’s impact on her life. This community has been committed to her well-being, from fixing her roof to helping her secure her first cellphone and providing care when she was sick. She considers The Village a family away from home that has given her the support she needed to raise her sons as a single mother.
“Through the years, I have learned so much, I have accomplished so much because of The Village. Because I didn’t have this when I was a child, we didn’t have these programs. So I vowed that if I ever had children, I would find a program that exposed them to many atmospheres.”
Four generations of Ms. Brenda’s family have come through The Village. Her sons, granddaughter, and now great-granddaughter have participated in youth programs here. She has also gotten to know generations of other families who have come through The Village.
“The children and the families. That’s what I’ll miss the most about The Village.”
She hopes The Village programs continue to grow and succeed and wants people to know she will not disappear entirely in retirement. While she looks forward to relaxing, spending more time with her husband and family, and focusing more on her spirituality, she will continue to visit The Village in a different capacity. You can look forward to catching her at our Youth Showcases and other Village events!
When asked what she wants people to remember about her, Ms. Brenda says, “The joy. The listening ear… And just a hug or a smile can brighten someone’s day.”
We congratulate Ms. Brenda on her retirement and thank her for being a Village Guardian to all of us. We hope you will celebrate her legacy by sharing your favorite memories of her on our Instagram page or by emailing us at info@villagearts.org. You can find several tributes from our team below, and we look forward to sharing many more with Ms. Brenda!
Tributes to Ms. Brenda:
“Miss Brenda is the heart of the Village youth program and the Village as a whole. Nobody has welcomed me into this community as much as Miss Brenda did, and I’ve seen her do the same for so many people. I’m so grateful to work with her and to have been blessed with her warmth and generosity. Love you, Miss Brenda!” – Nathalie
“Dear Brenda,
You are mother, soul, and guardian of The Village and hold our stories over the last quarter century.
For our youth, you are forever young, loving and wise, and they will carry your love always, as I will.
Alan”
“Congrats, Ms. Brenda! And thanks for all you’ve done for The Village for so many years. It’s going to take a while to get used to your absence – we’ll miss your warmth, your dedication, and your devotion to the well-being of the community and the staff. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter.” -Saul
“When I arrived, Ms Brenda was one of the first people I met and was such a warm, calming presence. She is the heart and soul of this organization. Quite simply, this org would not exist without her incredible work and critical connections. And whenever I have been at a loss in my work, Ms. Brenda has invariably bailed me out with her wisdom and know-how. No one will be able to replace her, and she will be missed dearly!” -Eli
“When I first met Ms. Brenda, she was like a ray of sunshine. She was so nice and inviting and made me feel welcome almost immediately. I could recognize immediately that she was the heart and soul of the village. She is a treasure trove of priceless knowledge that she would often share with me every time I’d come in. One of my favorite moments with her is when she told me about an old song that featured my name, and she began to play it all day long. Now she plays it almost every time I come to work. I will truly miss getting to know and conversing daily with Ms. Brenda; I can’t imagine The Village without her presence. She is irreplaceable.” – Michael