We're MARCHING toward spring

March 2023 Newsletter

Vote Early! Vote Often!

This month, help Reading Power win up to $15,000 from Old National Bank. Visit oldnational.com/cyc to vote for Reading Power once a day per email address through March 31, 2023! Thank you for your support.

Powerful Partnerships

This spring, Reading Power is active in the communities we serve.

Waukegan Literacy Nights

Reading Power was proud to participate in Literacy Night events at Little Fort Elementary and Whittier Elementary in Waukegan, IL. Literacy Nights are important opportunities to open school doors to parents, participate in community building, and share resources for continued learning at home.

Zion Benton Township High School Leadership Academy

Reading Power was excited to attend The Zion-Benton Leadership Academy on March 4, 2023. The Zion-Benton Leadership Academy identifies, assists, and empowers individuals to become active and inspiring contributors in our community. The coalition envisions community leadership reflecting the diversity of our community and that a culture change will result in leadership development, life-long learning, and giving back to the Zion-Benton community.

Vernon Area Public Library Volunteer Fair

Reading Power joined other local area service organizations at the library's Volunteer Fair on Sunday, March 19th. More than 150 neighbors connected with the organizations, like Reading Power, to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Tutor Ambassadors Get Things Done!

Many thanks to the Reading Power tutor ambassadors! Their recent recruitment efforts added 17 new volunteer tutors to our roster. The new tutors will allow us to see additional Lake County, IL students and help them reach grade-level literacy this school year.

Do you know someone who would like to become a volunteer tutor? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Beth Zender today!

What's Your Favorite Children's Book?

March is both National Reading Month and Women's History Month. Our staff is sharing some of their favorite children's books from our Reading Power classroom libraries to celebrate.

Top L: Julie DiGuiseppe, Carla's Sandwich

Top R: Aimee Lewis, Chrysanthemum

Bottom L: Katie Burdiak, Go, Dog! Go!

Bottom R: Missy Kumin, Olivia

Left: Debbie Loring, Llama Lmama Series

Top R: Kristin Fine, George and Martha The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends

Middle R: Melayna Pokorny, Library Mouse

Bottom R: Daniela Cruz, The Cat In The Hat

Lisa Bulzoni, Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls

Reading Power CEO Lisa Bulzoni shares, "Studies show that creating a steady stream of new, age-appropriate books nearly triples interest in reading. (Louis Harris) That's one reason each Reading Power classroom has a library filled with 200-300 diverse, age-appropriate, leveled readers to help our students learn to read and love it."

Top L: Heather Rosenblatt, Bad God, Marley

Top R: Viri Perez, Gaston

Bottom L: Cathy Plate and Julie Collisaw, The Mitten

Bottom R: Marla Guziec, The Little Engine That Could and Where The Wild Things Are

Top L: Beth Zender, One

Middle L: Kate Burke, Elephant & Piggie

Bottom L: Jennifer Bruns and Nancy Shorris, Stephanie's Ponytail

Right: Debra Pucé, Owl Moon

Reading Power In The Press

Thanks to NorthShore Modern Luxury magazine for featuring Reading Power's 2022 Play for Literacy event in their March 2023 issue. Read the article HERE.

Save The Date

Tutor Appreciation Dinner

Reading Power will proudly celebrate the 2022-2023 volunteer tutors with an appreciation dinner on April 20, 2023, at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, North Chicago.

Family Literacy Festival

Reading Power will host a Family Literacy Festival on May 7, 2023, for all Reading Power students and their families at Greenbelt Cultural Center, North Chicago.

Play for Literacy Golf & Games

Reading Power's third annual Play for Literacy Golf & Games event is scheduled for September 18, 2023, at Knollwood Club, Lake Forest. If you or your organization want to become an event sponsor, please get in touch with Director of Development Debra Pucé.