October 2022 Newsletter

Play for Literacy, Play for a Purpose

More than 200 friends of Reading Power gathered for the second annual Play for Literacy Golf & Games event on Monday, September 26, 2022, at Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest, IL.  

The event offered something for everyone. Attendees played a round of golf, enjoyed an afternoon of Euchre, or joined us for a cocktail dinner reception on Onwentsia’s famed grounds. The fun and fellowship guests shared were all in support of Reading Power’s mission to foster the promise of literacy for students in Lake County and beyond.  

Funds from the event raised over $350,000 and will be used to extend, expand, and enhance programming to meet more students’ needs this academic year.  

Patti Frain, Karen McGowan, Jill Mickey, and Sheila Cavalaris enjoy an afternoon of Euchre on Onwentsia's sun porch. 

Event sponsors Dean and Amy Tsarwhas enjoy the dinner reception.  

Whittier Elementary School Principal Andy Kramer, LEARN 10 Principal Matt Larsen, LEARN 10 Assistant Principal JJ Jones, and Janet Jones

Play for Literacy golfers head out to the course.

Event Co-Chairs Sheila Cavalaris and Marra Lochiatto with Reading Power Chairman of the Board Kathy McFarland (center)

Retired Chief of Police of North Chicago Richard Wilson, Mayor of North Chicago Leon Rockingham Jr., Reading Power CEO Lisa Bulzoni, and Mayor of Zion Billy McKinney

Donor Spotlight: Play for Literacy Sponsors 

Thank you to all who attended or supported the event, especially our donors and sponsors. Every dollar raised helps students reach their intellectual potential.

Kirsten Surber and her guests Doug Busscher, Dan Egan, and Don Kirk

Reading Power Expands to Two New Waukegan Schools

Reading Power launched programs in two new schools this fall, Whittier Elementary and Little Fort Elementary, located in Waukegan, IL. The schools join returning programs at LEARN 6, LEARN 10, Oakdale Elementary, Beulah Elementary, and Green Bay Early Childhood Center and increase the number of students to whom we can provide early literacy intervention.

Meet Our New Staff

Reading Power proudly welcomed nine new staff members this academic year to meet the needs of our program's expansion. These educational professionals have joined existing Reading Power staff to lead our ten programs and our over 200 trained volunteer tutors. 

From left to right: Debbie Loring, Victoria Zilisch, Missy Kumin, Aimee Lewis, Nancy Shorris, Viri Perez, Heather Rosenblatt, and Julie DiGuiseppe. Mary Pawl is not pictured. 

Tutor Recruitment Event 

Thank you to Reading Power tutors Bob Scales and Mary Keefe, who recently hosted a tutor recruitment event in their historic Lake Forest Frank Lloyd Wright home. Guests received an overview and tour of the house and gardens and an introduction to Reading Power by the Director of Programs, Kristin Fine.

Interested in hosting your own Reading Power tutor recruitment event or know someone who wants to become a tutor? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Beth Zender. 

In The Press

Reading Power CEO and literacy leader Lisa Bulzoni is featured in Sheridan Road magazine's October 2022 Power Women issue!

Click HERE to read the full article. 

Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, Chief Executive Officer

Kristin Fine, MEd, Director of Programs

Viri Perez, MEd, Associate Director of Programs

Kate Burke, BS, Marketing and Communications Manager

Nancy Duffy, Resource Development Manager

Susan Morris, MBA, Events Manager

Beth Zender, MA, Volunteer Coordinator

Daniela Cruz, Office Manager

Melayna Pokorny, BA, Office Assistant 

Katie Burdiak, BA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Jennifer Bruns, MST, Site Coordinator

Julie Collishaw, MA, Site Coordinator

Brooke Davis, MEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Julie DiGuiseppe, BS, Assistant Site Coordinator

Andrea Glickman, MAEd, Site Coordinator

Marla Guziec, BS, Site Coordinator

Mary Jane Hender, EdD, Site Coordinator

Melissa Kumin, MEd, Site Coordinator

Aimee Lewis, MEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Debbie Loring, MSEd, Site Coordinator

Mary Pawl, MAT, Site Coordinator

Cathy Plate, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Heather Rosenblatt, MAT, Site Coordinator

Nancy Shorris, BS, Assistant Site Coordinator

Elizabeth Soling, AA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Summer Zilisch, Assistant Site Coordinator

Victoria Zilisch, BA, Assistant Site Coordinator