October 2023 Newsletter

Lightfoot Early Childhood Center Joins The Reading Power Family

“Just one more book?” asked Mia, a Lightfoot Early Education Center preschooler. Her words were music to the ears of Reading Power tutor and College of Lake County Early Childhood student Irma Roman. “This is why I’m volunteering – to connect with and help people. I’m living my dream!!” Irma shared. As Mia and Irma settled in for another story, delving into Hojas Vienen, Hojas Van, the room buzzed with more than a storytelling session.

The Reading Power preschool program provides an enriching experience for early learners like Mia to develop their listening comprehension and a love of books through one-to-one sessions with trained volunteer tutors twice weekly during free-choice time in the classrooms. The program is offered in monolingual and bilingual classrooms, emphasizing the importance of oral language development.

Reading Power tutor and College of Lake County Early Childhood student Irma Roman reads to preschool students

This year marked a significant milestone for Reading Power as we welcomed four new schools into our program, including Robbie Lightfoot Early Childhood Center. This move doubled the number of preschoolers that Reading Power serves, from just one preschool at Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago to two preschools with the addition of the Waukegan School District preschool, Robbie M. Lightfoot Early Childhood Center. With that expansion came a pressing need for more volunteer tutors. To help address the need, Reading Power formed a mutually beneficial partnership with the College of Lake County Early Childhood Department. Students like Irma can volunteer to tutor in the classroom, earning school credit hours for their invaluable contributions. Drawing on her experience as a former teaching assistant now pursuing her degree, Irma remarked, “This is such a natural fit for me.”

Reading Power’s preschool expansion aligns with the broader efforts in Illinois school districts to look for ways to better prepare preschool students for kindergarten and enhance students’ preliteracy skills. Robbie Lightfoot Early Childhood Principal Nicole Session agrees, sharing, "Our students are eager to join Reading Power tutors to hear a story and engage. Building relationships enhances Social Emotional Learning, which is integral to successful early learning outcomes. The one-to-one interaction also supports our school-wide improvement goals in early literacy development. We appreciate the opportunity to have Reading Power in our school."

A Swinging Success!

Knollwood Club in Lake Forest was buzzing on Monday, September 18, as old and new friends gathered to celebrate Reading Power at the third annual Play for Literacy Golf & Games event.

From L to R: Kyle and Hillary Bolke and Diane and Jeff Powers

From L to R: Mike Cekay, Dan Moceri, Ken Lochiatto, Bob Nommensen

The event raised over $400,000 to support Reading Power’s mission to accelerate children’s literacy learning. With the generosity of our sponsors and donors, over 600 students in ten schools will receive Reading Power’s literacy tutoring services this academic year. Top corporate sponsors included William Blair, Alley Company, Convergint, Guggenheim Partners, Riddell, and BMO.

From L to R: Reading Power staff members Cathy Plate, Julie Collishaw, Reading Power Co-Founder and Board member Mary Jane Hender, and Reading Power staff member Marla Guziec

Top row from L to R: Melissa Denton, Reading Power Board members Jackie Ramdin-Johnson, Sara Poticha, and Reading Power CEO Lisa Bulzoni Bottom row from L to R: Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson, Reading Power Board Chairman Kathy McFarland

As Board Chair Kathy McFarland remarked at the cocktail dinner reception, "There is an important thread connecting each of us: children and the promise of literacy. Every child has the right to literacy, and with the attention of caring adults like our volunteer tutors, the opportunity to become lifelong learners."

From L to R: Richard Wilson, Tameka Wilson, Kingston Neal

Jenna Lochiatto Crowley, Katelyn Lochiatto, and friends

Thank you to all our donors, sponsors, and friends who made the event such a successful day.

Join Us For Reading Power In Action

Learn more about Reading Power, our initiatives, and how we’re positively impacting our students' literacy learning. Meet our dedicated team, passionate volunteer tutors, and some remarkable students whose lives we touch.

LEARN 6 Charter School

October 24th or 26th, anytime between 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Kindly RSVP here with the date you would like to attend.

Donor Spotlight: Lake County Community Foundation

Thank you to the generous support of the James and Madeleine McMullan Family Foundation Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund with The Lake County Community Foundation. Your continued support allows Reading Power to foster the promise of literacy for more students.

In The Press

Congratulations to Reading Power co-founder and Board of Directors member Mary Jane Hender, featured in the October Sheridan Road magazine Power Women issue.

Read the entire article HERE

Volunteering with Reading Power boosts your brain and expands your heart. ❤️

Read more about a recent study that found volunteering later in life can boost your brain HERE