Reading Power Inc

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Lake Bluff, IL
Reading Power Inc

Fostering the Promise of Literacy

Reading Power serves the children of North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion, Illinois by providing early literacy interventions in hopes of breaking the cycle, identified by research, of poverty resulting in low literacy.

06/24/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Audrey Grunst to the Reading Power Board of Directors. 🎉

Audrey brings nearly 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, behavioral healthcare executive, and leader in social-emotional learning. She is Vice President of Outpatient Services at Sero, CEO of Simply Bee and Be Collaborative, and creator of the Growth and Resiliency Model©, an evidence-based SEL framework used in schools nationwide.

A nationally recognized leader and advocate for youth well-being, Audrey also brings a deep personal passion for literacy and education. As a parent of two children with unique learning needs, she understands the power of early intervention and access to learning.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Audrey to the Reading Power family. 📚✨

06/12/2026

🌱 📚 Reading Power is growing for the 2026–27 school year!

Last week, our Reading Power Ambassadors had a great time connecting with folks at the Ela Area Public Library Volunteer Fair and sharing exciting news about our expansion.

This fall, we’re launching:
🌟 A new preschool program in Wheeling
🌟 A new afternoon kindergarten program in Gurnee

That means we need more volunteer tutors than ever before to help young learners build the literacy skills they need to thrive.

Could you—or someone you know—spare a few hours each week to make a lasting impact on a child’s future?

Apply today at readingpowerinc.org/tutors and join us in fostering the promise of literacy. ❤️

06/03/2026

Save the Date! 🏓⛳📚

Reading Power's Sixth Annual Play for Literacy Golf & Pickleball event returns on August 31 at Exmoor Country Club, co-hosted by Joanie Alley and Maggie Wehmer.

Join us for golf, pickleball, cocktails, dinner, and a day dedicated to fostering the promise of literacy. Every ticket purchased and sponsorship secured helps provide critical reading support to students who need it most.

Registration is now open! Visit our website or the link below to reserve your spot today. 🎟️

Together, let's play for a purpose! ✨

https://pro.gofundme.com/event/play-for-literacy-golf-and-pickleball-2026/e801155

06/02/2026

School’s out for summer! ☀️

We closed out the year celebrating our Reading Power students with medals, ribbons, gift bags, and special send-offs. We are so proud of all the hard work, growth, and determination they showed throughout the year—these smiles say it all!

Here’s to a summer full of rest, fun, and plenty of reading! 🏖️📚

05/26/2026

There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing how a student’s confidence and love of reading has grown. 💙 Thank you to the families who trust us to be part of their child’s journey!

05/21/2026

Another incredible year of Reading Power is in the books! 📚💫

As our 23rd tutoring year comes to a close, we’re celebrating a season of growth, confidence, creativity, and connection. This year, Reading Power impacted more than 900 students through the dedication of our tutors, staff, and supporters.

One of the highlights of our final week was Author’s Day, where students proudly share the original stories they created during Writer’s Workshop. From imaginative adventures to heartfelt reflections, each piece represents the incredible progress they’ve made as readers, writers, and dreamers. 📝🌟

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we are changing trajectories—one reader, one story, and one future at a time. ❤️

05/14/2026

✨ ✨

This week, we’d like to formally thank our incredible intern, Camila, and our continued partnership with Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep and its Corporate Work Study Program.

Over the past two years, Camila has gone above and beyond in supporting Reading Power. She visited multiple program sites, created a training video to better support our bilingual CLC student tutors, interviewed each member of our office staff to better understand the many career possibilities, and overall helped keep our programs running smoothly.

We are so proud of all she has accomplished and so excited to share that Camila will be attending Illinois State University this fall! 🎓

Camila, thank you for the dedication, creativity, and care you brought to Reading Power. And to Cristo Rey—thank you for continuing to create meaningful opportunities for students to learn and grow. 💙

05/12/2026

📚✨ ✨📚

This week, we’re celebrating Mary Kay Sonnier, a devoted LEARN 10 1st–2nd grade tutor who has been part of Reading Power since 2014—more than a decade of helping young scholars grow as readers and learners.

For her Page Turner pick, Mary Kay chose “The Last Stand” by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey.

🌿 Rooted in the author’s childhood in the rural South, this tender intergenerational story follows a family farm stand that becomes much more than a place of work—it becomes a gathering place for community, memory, and care. From Saturday harvests to neighbors who know one another by name and need, the story beautifully shows how love and support are passed along through everyday moments.

That sense of curiosity and connection is exactly what Mary Kay hopes her students carry with them each time they read: ✨ “Open a book and go on an adventure.” ✨

Thank you, Mary Kay, for more than 10 years of dedication to our students and for continuing to place meaningful stories into their hands. 💛

05/11/2026

We were honored to have our CEO, Lisa Bulzoni, and Director of Development, Katie Taylor, represent Reading Power at this year’s annual luncheon hosted by Chicago Women in Philanthropy.

Nearly 700 changemakers gathered in support of leadership, mentorship, and opportunities for women and girls across Chicago—raising an incredible $230,000 to further CWIP’s mission. ✨

It was an inspiring afternoon filled with meaningful conversations, powerful stories, and a shared commitment to strengthening our communities.💙

05/08/2026

It’s the final edition of ! 📖💡

As we begin to wrap up another year of Reading Power, we’re celebrating all the growth our students have shown along the way. Week after week, they’ve built confidence and stronger reading skills through practicing and mastering their fast words.

We’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished this year. Here’s to a summer full of reading ahead! ☀️

Address

900 North Shore Drive Suite 178
Lake Bluff, IL
60044

Website

http://www.readingpowerinc.org/, http://readingpowerinc.org/donate

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