I was just 12 when Brian died—an awkward pre-teen with puffy bangs, buck teeth, and a big brother I adored. Losing him left me lost, but the year that followed brought the Brian LaViolette Foundation and its very first scholarship. I remember sitting with a small committee reviewing applications, not realizing then how deeply this work would someday shape my life.
Brian and Kim together, before the puffy bangs and buck teeth. :)
For 14 years, my parents carried the Foundation on volunteer power. I helped when I could, coming home from college to help with events, but later I moved out of state. While I was working at the March of Dimes in Asheville, NC, Brian’s Foundation found itself planning the Medal of Honor Convention in Green Bay, establishing new scholarships, and managing the ones we already had. It became clear that it was too much for volunteers alone.
And with that, in 2006 I became the first—and only—employee. I quickly realized the impact Brian’s Foundation had on students, families, and entire communities.
If you would have told 12-year-old me that I’d someday run a foundation in Brian’s name… that I’d write a thank-you letter to Pope Francis, update our website in Czech, or meet scholarship recipients from Green Bay to Poland—I never would have believed you. But the greatest joy has always been hearing from recipients years later and seeing the lives they’ve built. 1,200 scholarships later, I’ve seen more hope and goodness than I ever imagined.
Kim, Renee and Doug LaViolette at one of many Foundation events
As the years went by, we knew it was time for a new direction. We prepared to partner with other organizations to transition portions of our scholarship work, so we could focus our efforts, make everything more manageable, and ensure that our commitments live on long after we are gone.
We’ve spent the last several years transitioning many of our scholarships to organizations we trust deeply, including our wonderful partners at Green Bay’s CollegeReady- who truly are some of the best of the best!
We are also proud to announce our first—and last—Brian LaViolette Scholarship Endowment Campaign to create a scholarship in Brian’s own name. We are excited and grateful to finally bring that to life.
And now—for the first time in 20 years (or really, 33)—I am stepping away from the Foundation.
I don’t yet know what’s next, and for the first time in a long time, I’m giving myself space to figure that out. But I do know how grateful I am. To everyone who supports the Foundation, and to all the students and families, teachers and board members I’ve met—you’ve shown me how kind and hopeful the world can be.
Thank you for being on this journey with me,
Kim
