Deep Roots & Full Circles: Reconnecting RBS with Crofton House

Sarah Wong, MD’27, CHS Alumna 2020

As the Community Outreach Coordinator at The Reading Bear Society—and a proud Crofton House alumna (Class of 2020)—it’s been an incredibly meaningful journey to help reconnect two communities that have been meaningful parts of my experience. RBS has deep and longstanding roots at Crofton, having been co-founded over a decade ago by CHS alumnae Dr. Isabel Chen ’06 and Lani Morden ’88, along with Dr. Joanne Roussy, whose shared vision helped launch an initiative grounded in early childhood education and equity.

My own reconnection with CHS began last year, when the RBS team connected with one of the teachers at the Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) to coordinate a book donation in support of Mom2Mom (M2M)—one of RBS’s long-time community partners. Returning to the familiar classrooms where I once volunteered as a student was both nostalgic and grounding, and it was heartening to see the CHS community respond with such generosity.

This growing partnership continued earlier this year, when I returned alongside one of my best friends and fellow CHS alumna Rachel PhordToy ‘20. Together, we hosted a Dr. Bear visit at the ECEC, introducing little Crofties to storytelling, medical tools, and calming techniques like “bear breathing.” Soon after, we were invited back again to participate in the CHS Volunteer Fair, where we had the pleasure of sharing RBS’s mission with Senior School students.

It was there I met Lina and Hela, two wonderful Grade 11 students who were eager to support our work. Since then, Lina has played a key role in helping us plan and attend this year’s second annual ECEC book donation, which was even more successful than the first. Lina also had the opportunity to attend the yearly Mom2Mom picnic in July to assist with the delivery of books and crafts and read to children. Her initiative and care reflect the same values that RBS is built on—and that Crofton instills within their students.

This partnership is also part of a much larger legacy. RBS has a long and proud history of CHS alumnae involvement, including not only co-founders Dr. Chen and Ms. Morden, but also Julie Roussy Newton ’15, our current RBS Chair of Fundraising; Ceilidh Matthews ’16, a former Co-Chair of Fundraising; and alumnae Jada Lau ’18, Anais Bonnis and Antonia Bonnis, who have each made longstanding contributions to the organization.

Looking back at this path—from rekindling ties with the ECEC, to expanding our programs and student involvement—I'm filled with gratitude. It's a powerful reminder of how much can grow from shared values, supportive communities, and a few teddy bears. I’m so thankful to CHS for continuing to welcome us back with open arms, and to the students, educators, and alumnae who continue to carry this mission forward.