2023-2024 Impact report
Welcome Letter
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we reflect on the progress made over the past year, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2023-2024 Annual Report for SitStayRead. This report is a celebration of the profound impact we ’ ve achieved together in advancing literacy and engaging young learners through the transformative power of reading and the unconditional companionship of our canine friends
This year, we reached new heights in our mission to inspire confidence and foster a love of learning among children in Chicago’s communities. From augmenting bilingual programming to expanding our partnerships with local schools and libraries, SitStayRead continues to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of our students Our programs have touched the lives of nearly 800 children this year alone, reminding us of the lasting difference that literacy - and love - can make.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, staff, board, and supporters like you. Whether it’s a Certified Reading Assistance Dog patiently listening to a young reader, the tireless efforts of our team and board members behind the scenes, or the generous involvement from donors, your support has been the cornerstone of our success. Together, we are creating a brighter future, one story at a time. Thank you for being part of the SitStayRead family. I hope you take pride in all we ’ ve accomplished together this year and share in our excitement for the journey ahead
With gratitude,
Luciano
Luciano DeNisco Board President
Mission
SitStayRead advances children's literacy and builds confidence in young readers by using an engaging curriculum incorporating social-emotional learning, enriched by certified reading assistance dogs.
VISION
SitStayRead envisions a world where every child, regardless of race or economic status, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to develop strong literacy skills, build meaningful connections with animals, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally
History
Founded in 2003, SitStayRead was born out of a community outreach program at the Call of the Wild School for Dogs in Chicago MaryEllen Schneider was managing the Call of the Wild School and volunteering at Rainbow Animal-Assisted Therapy with her dog, Shandy.
Realizing that her dog’s ability to sit and stay with children as they read to her could bring value to the community MaryEllen enlisted Sarah Murphy and MK Czerwiec, who were training their dogs at Call of the Wild, to help her launch an innovative literacy program driven by animal-assisted learning.
As of 2024, SitStayRead has supported more than 25,000 students, distributed over 60,000 books, and hosted countless literacy events across Chicago Bilingual programming is being developed as an expanded community of volunteers and dog-teams from the neighborhoods we serve on Chicago’s south and west sides
3,6
Our Programs + where we work
During the 2023-24 school year, SitStayRead continued its classroom residency programs, working with emergent readers in kindergarten and first-grade throughout Chicago, primarily in south and west side communities where reading proficiency at third grade is currently low For twenty-one years, the heart of our evidence-based literacy programs has been social-emotional learning Students are encouraged to predict story outcomes, consider characters' emotions, and make personal connections to the text, deepening their understanding and allowing space for critical thinking and the whole range of literacy skills: speaking and listening, writing and of course, reading.
Since 2021, staff has invested in revising programs to be more affirming of and responsive to the range of learners we work with. Programs are now offered in both English and bilingual English/Spanish iterations, ensuring that more children can fully participate on their road to acquiring English. This process has helped us consider how to deliver various aspects of our core program for other types of learners as well
After an interactive read-aloud, small groups and pairs of students work closely with dedicated SitStayRead Book Buddies and Certified Reading Assistance Dog Teams to complete hands-on literacy activities which reinforce the vocabulary, themes, and featured phonetic elements from the initial story and books read at the reading station. In small group settings, students receive individualized attention, allowing them to progress at their own pace whether they are just beginning to read or developing more advanced literacy skills.
Reading aloud to a Certified Reading Assistance Dog is always the highlight for students Children may also use this time on the floor to interview the dog handler, talk about their responses to the books, and just get some extra attention and warmth. Joy and confidence (and higher attendance) are valuable outcomes along with the skill-based literacy work.
To celebrate progress at the end of the six-week residency, SitStayRead staff present each student with a bound book containing all the writing they've done during the program. In addition, students receive a SitStayRead tote bag with a set of writing materials, literacy activities, and five brand-new books to take home, helping them build their personal libraries and continue their learning journey. Our farewell call and response, repeated first in a low voice, then in a squeaky voice, and finally a whisper, remains: Keep Reading!
-Jamie Crockett
Acero - Bartolomé de Las Casas Elementary School
Acero - Carlos Fuentes
Acero - Octavio Paz
from the Teachers
“I appreciate the staff from SitStayRead. They were very patient, kind, and gentle with the scholars I love SitStayRead”
- Catalyst Classroom Teacher
“This is my second year and the children love the program every year!”
- Family Matters
88% of teachers surveyed noticed an increase in their students’ abilities to notice and name what they were feeling
88% of teachers surveyed noticed an increase in their students’ ability to recall information and reflect or ask questions
“I feel the Sit/Stay/Read Program is Excellent in it's mission and all areas of the program. ”
- St Etheldreda Teacher
School highlight AnnaFink
Principal,CarlosFuentesElementary AnAceroSchool
Anna Fink has been a SitStayRead program champion, requesting our return to Carlos Fuentes Elementary several years running. Her dedication to enriching her student’s education and learning experience is a joy to see and be a part of.
Anna Fink worked as a special education teacher for many years before serving as principal at a therapeutic day school in Oak Park and then becoming principal at Carlos Fuentes, a CPS charter school in Avondale With the sudden news this Fall, 2024 of the closing of several Acero schools, including Carlos Fuentes, we celebrate and thank Anna for her tireless efforts and dedication to her students
“SitStayRead's innovative approach is a testament to the power of comfort and companionship in learning. By providing a supportive environment, literacy skills are nurtured, as is the confidence to embrace the reading journey and excel. In the presence of their furry friends, our students find courage to explore new words, stories, and worlds, laying the foundation for a lifetime of joyful reading.” - Anna Fink
Volunteer Letter + Spotlight
Starting my journey with SitStayRead in 2023 has been a truly fulfilling experience, and I’m deeply grateful to continue working with such a remarkable organization. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing incredible growth and positive changes, both within the organization and in the children we serve.
SitStayRead has an extraordinary community of volunteers who continually go above and beyond to make a difference, bringing joy and inspiration to young readers With each session, their dedication and enthusiasm light up the room, and it’s heartening to see how committed they are to making literacy more accessible and fun for our kids
Since 2023, we ’ ve seen some major developments, including a new volunteer platform, new faces joining our volunteer team, additional schools, and, most importantly, an increased reach to more children across Chicago
These changes have strengthened our impact, making it possible for us to serve more young minds and share the love of reading even further. It’s the volunteers who make all of this possible, and I’m endlessly grateful for the chance to work alongside such inspiring individuals Through this journey, I’ve learned so much from our volunteers, and each interaction reminds me how lucky I am to be a part of something so meaningful and heartwarming.
-Lexsie Hernandez
Volunteer Program Manager
Our New 2023-24 Volunteers
Book Buddies Dog Teams
Lori Novak
Alina Lewis
Cindy Osorio
Christina Ketcham-Harrison
Joanne Fessett
Carolyn Neumeier & Sadie
Anna/Jake Lemis & Ozzy
Amy Smolensky & Frankie
Jason Stell & Schroeder
Jason Darwell & Lulu
John Wagner & Merrill
Carole Burns & Rolo
Peggy Luther & Marc
Honoring Our Retiring Dog Team
Harla + Rocky
Harla and Rocky have been a dedicated SitStayRead Dog Team since April of 2017 From their first days to now, they could always be counted on to go anywhere they’re needed, to show up last minute if asked, and to do it with a kind smile and excitement to be in the classroom
We’ve cherished their involvement and are so grateful for the skill and the joy they brought to working with our students. As they retire after more than 7 years with SitStayRead we celebrate the immense impact they have made on our staff, fellow volunteers, and most of all, in the lives of the students they have worked with.
Volunteer AWARDS
Celebrated at this year ’ s Bark ‘N Ball, these volunteer awards are a new annual tradition and just one of the many ways we look to acknowledge and share the accomplishments of our amazing volunteers
15 Year SSR Anniversary
Rhonda Milkowski (+ Banjo)
Rhonda is a retired CPS teacher and reading specialist who has been a core volunteer Book Buddy and Dog Team handler for 2/3 of the SitStayRead’s existence. Thank you Rhonda for leveraging the human-dog bond and your educational expertise in service to Chicago’s children.
Wadokwuk Book Buddy
Sandy Boyd-Jansen
Honoring a kind, patient companion and ally of any gender, and inspired by a Potawatomie word for “friend”. (wah DOK wuk)
Itiderod Dog Team Award
Boni + Toby Fine
Honoring longevity of service, hard work and loyalty to SitStayRead and its students by a Certified Reading Assistance Dog and their human. Inspired by the early iterations of the famous race, with its focus on the working relationship between and agility of dogs and their mushers, rather than competition between teams
Funder spotlight
In 1987, Inez Cantrell Donley and Edward Donley created The Donley Foundation as their way of giving back to young people striving to get an education, job skills, and life skills.
The Donley Foundation was consistent in its support of SitStayRead throughout its life cycle with a particularly generous parting gift this year as the foundation sunsetted.
SitStayRead will forever be grateful not only for The Donley Foundation’s fiscal support, but for the agency it encouraged in our organization to use this funding as most needed, by making its grants unrestricted.
The Donley Foundation was honored at this year ’ s Bark ‘N Ball as the recipient of The Xoloitzcuintle ‘Xolo’ award
Inspired by the qualities of the ancient Mayan and Aztec breed and its modern descendants, the Xolo award honors a person or entity that has had significant impact on SitStayRead and its work by creating a strong bond of trust and partnership
Bark ‘N Ball
A huge thank you to all the people and pups who attended our 2024 Bark ’N Ball celebration! It was a great evening to meet old and new friends and raise money for our summer and winter programs
Through a time of internal change, our staff, volunteers, board, and sponsors came together to throw a delightful evening to celebrate SitStayRead’s successes and vision for the future We hope to see you at our next Bark ’N Ball in May 2025!
Staff
Jamie Crockett Program Director
Cynthia Marroquin Program Manager
Zarai Zarragoza Bilingual Programs Manager
Deirdre Harrison, CFRE Interim Executive Director
Lexsie Hernández Volunteer Program Manager
Briana McLean Community Liaison
Selena Clark Operations Coordinator Ian Belknap Grants Manager
Crystal PhillipsPierce Event Planner
2023-24 Board
Luciano DeNisco CPA, President
Joshua Nelson Vice President
Kevin Kinnamon Treasurer
We give our most sincere and warmest words of thanks to the board members who support and serve SitStayRead.
This organization would not thrive as it does without your constant dedication.
Beth Czechanski
Christina Ho Development Chair
Sarah Inciong Strategic Planning Chair
Qiana McNary-Licorish HR Chair
Dina Nelson-Gonzalez
Ann Scholhamer Past President
Priyam Shah
Andrew Shapiro
Looking Ahead
Dear SitStayRead Community,
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly during the last quarter of SitStayRead’s 2023-24 year To say it’s been a whirlwind of learning and activity would be an understatement! Yet, these intense first months unfolded with humor and flexibility I have appreciated everyone ’ s willingness to reflect, and to take action as we streamlined operations, deepened our approach to program development, and got ready to reboot in 2024-25
Our small but nimble team continues to evolve with curiosity, creativity, and a solutionfocused mindset, keeping literacy and social-emotional needs of our students at the center of adaptation. Our intrepid board, who leads with kindness and respect, are constantly humble, curious, and devoted, as they evaluate and optimize SitStayRead’s governance function. They are always generous advocates for SitStayRead’s present and its future
It is a rare thing to arrive in a community that is working so consistently to manifest its core values at every level. The grace with which staff and board moved through the challenges of leadership transition and capacity in 2023-24 have begun to pay off already With your support, SitStayRead was able to devote the summer to professional development centered on the Science of Reading and revising our 2nd grade curriculum, English and bilingual English/Spanish iterations. Less exciting, but crucial, we evaluated and retooled a number of operations systems to allow me, the staff, and the board to collect, analyze, communicate and plan, informed by better real time data.
The investments of 2023-24 are now manifesting with more efficiency, so we can devote more time on strengthening relationships, partnerships, and programs Volunteer applications are up, volunteer alumni are coming back, we started back in CPS for the first time in four years and launched a citywide partnership with Chicago Public Libraries Returning to the institutions where SitStayRead began 21 years ago feels like a fitting launchpad for the next era
I invite you to continue to invest in our students’ futures as literate, curious, and engaged people And I invite you to be in touch I look forward to meeting many more of you in 2025!
Deirdre
Deirdre Harrison CFRE Interim Executive Director
Thank You
Our most sincere thank you to every donor
We have worked to acknowledge all gifts received to the very best of our ability Should you find an error please contact us at info@sitstayread.org and we will correct it immediately.
Up to $129,000
The Donley Foundation
Up to $25,000
FDC Foundation
Fidelity Charitable Grants
- All DAF advisors are recognized below
KPMG
Up to $15,000
Allstate Insurance Company
Cook County Justice Advisory Council
Up to $10,000
Dan and Nancie DeNisco
Dina Nelson-Gonzalez and Steve Gonzalez
Dr Scholl Foundation
Karen and Paul Hoelscher
Luciano and Daniela DeNisco
Mari Sparkjoy
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
Sarah and Ted Inciong
Sparkjoy Foundation
The Powell Foundation
The Siragusa Family Foundation
William E Dean III Charitable Foundation
Up to $5,000
A. Montgomery Ward Foundation
Allie and Kevin Armstrong
Altar'd State Deer Park
Bernstein Philanthropic Impact Fund
Brian and Julia Byrd
Christine Kelly
Emily Ho
Glickman Family Charitable Fund
Grainger
Jocelyn Griechen
Joshua Nelson
Kevin Kinnamon and Arianna Nagaro
Luther I. Replogle Foundation
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Protiviti
Steve Hier
The Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation
The Steven and Dina Gonzalez Family Foundation
Thomas DeNisco
William Gannon
Up to $2,500
Ann Scholhamer and Garth Rauscher
Brett and Michelle Sanchez
Caitie Grabowski
Christina Ho
Debbie and Rob Yuhas
Deirdre Harrison and Eric Leonardson
Board Member Member of The Pack
Up to $2,500 (continued)
Denise Hansen
Great Nonprofits
Jay Family Foundation of Minnesota
Jennifer Torto
Jewel-Osco
John and Laila Harmann Family Fund
John and Meher Owens
Julie and Kevin Rochford
Laura J Niles Foundation
Melissa and Kenny Rolnicki
Nancy Hartung
Natalia Patrzyk
Petco Foundation
Renee Pappas
Robert Half
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Waterfront Horizons
Up to $1,000
Adobe
Amelia Becher
Andi Summers and Andrew Jacobson
Boni Fine
Carolyn and Doug Neumeier
CW Ingram
Dan Mohan
Dave and Sandy Prioletti
Elizabeth Langford and Andrew Hyosaka
Emily Randecker and Ken Watkins
Harla Hutchinson
Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation
Justin and Sarah McCarty
Lisa Wiersma
Lombard Juniors Philanthropic Fund Inc
Lora and Robert Grabowski
McDonald's
Morgan Stanley Gift
Rhonda and George Milkowski
Robert and Marie McKenna
Up to $1,000 (continued)
Robert and Marie McKenna
The Swaringen Family Giving Fund
The Wanda Muntwyler Foundation
Up to $500
AbbVie
Alejandra Perez Madrigal
Andrea Miller
Andrew Shapiro*
Anthony Waller Jr.
Baranay Family Foundation
Bill and Maura Salter
Caitie Young
Chiara Rice
Chicago Area Mensa
Christian Lim
Clay and Cause
Debbie and Derric Brambora
Dyonne Wasserman
Elizabeth and Ken Czechanski
Erin Young
Funny Ha-Ha
Glenn and Nancy Shapiro
HKM Employment Attorneys
Horizon Therapeutics
Illinois Credit Union League
Jessica Westerman
Kathryn Swanson
Kathy and John McKenna
Ken and Sarah Shaw
Kieran Fearon
Lara and Marc Regan
Longmont Community Foundation
Melissa Strum and Daniel Cousineau
Mia Guajardo
Michelle Reisdorf
Mike and Filomena Boline
Nancy Joseph
Nick and Lupe McKeehan
Board Member Member of The Pack
Up to $500 (continued)
Patrick McKenna
Paula Riggins
Phillip Salter
Priyam Shah
Qiana McNary-Licorish* and Keon Licorish
Rebecca Garcia
Robin Gilinger
Ron Ackerman
Sarah Bassett
Sean and Dina Harrison
Sharon Lindstrom
Sheila Carney
Tracey Ciciora
Trudy Cools and Ted Ishiwari
William Brittan
ZenBusiness
Up to $250
Alex Jansen and Sandy Boyd-Jansen
Allen Womble
Amit Basak
Amy Mykytiuk
Anna Fink
Anonymous
Audrey Pang
Betsy Frank
Bill Byrnes
Carmen Gonzalez
Christopher Dammann
Christy Saam
Dan and Emily Donoghue
Dan Jennings
Dave Prioletti
Donna and John Coffey
Donna Militello
Eileen Dordek and Chris Landgraff
Elizabeth and Hazel Kirwan
Illinois Humanities
Jack and Leanne Neurauter
Jamie Crockett
Jan Peters
Jerry Mcilvain
Jerry Shapiro
Jessica Durkin
Jim Kelly
Joe Macro and Stephanie O'Neill Macro
Jonathon Milam
Justice Cassel
Karen Klemchen
Karyn Hurwich
Kate McIlvain
Kelly Lachica
Ken and Donna Stiles
Kurt Kindt
Leonard C. Goodman
Linda Delaney
Luis Salazar
Lynn Lavender
Mark Warren
Marta Tomaras
Martin Paulson
Mary Lawrence
MaryAnn Porter
MaryEllen Schneider and Richard Kuzma
Matthew and Mary Beth Smith
Nick Horaney
Nina Webb
Patricia Donnelly
Paul Trudeau
Reid Zarnoch
Robert Nuchereno
Ryan Bach
Sarah O'Kane
Sharon Porta
Steve and LA Genyk
Suzanne Weiner
Thomas L and Patricia S Gahlon Fund
Tim Dolan
Tyler Michals
Washoe Pines Foundation
Wendi Wilson
Board Member Member of The Pack
Up to $100
Addie Whelan
Alex and Nancy Chacon
Alex Gorsky
Alyse Mauro Mason
Amy Taylor and Craig Taczy
Andrea Mandel
Andrew Pieri
Ann and Tom Czechanski
Anonymous x 8
Ashlee Kinsella
Barbara Binversie
Barbara Braden
Barbara Flowers
Barbara Shomaker
Barbara Silbert
Brian Lipinski
Brian Richman
Briana McLean
Brittany Agnes
Brittany Larson
Buddy Zubiate
Cafa
Carley Benrus
Carolyn Henning
Cate Inciong
Catherine Dennis
Chandra A Ory
Charles Hirsch
Charles Traut
Claire Zulkey
Clara Edwards
Clarissa Athmer
Colleen and Matt Luaders
Colleen Fahey
Craig Hertzman
Craig Silver
Crystal Phillips-Pierce
Dawn Hastings
Debra Hunter
Dina Muellman
Dr Saba Ayman-Nolley
Eileen Casey and Tim Kress
Elaine Stevens
Elida Kehl
Elizabeth Otte
Ellie McCue
Emily Crull
Emily Kilgallon
Emma Killeen
Evelyn Bollinger
Forester Horwitx
Francisco Garcia
FGwendolyn Ottolin
Hana Weinstein
Heather McDonald
Heather Reimer
Helen Jaeger Roth
Jakin Esquivel Palacios
Jennifer Marsh-Lorenzini
Jessica Caraos
Jillene Kogan
Joan Jepsen
Joanne Susmilch
Joe and Dorothy Lance
Jon and Lisa Sall
Jonathan Hudec
Jordana Hoffman
Jose and Maricel Colon
Joseph Lessard
Juliana Perisin
Kate Shepard
Katherine Schultz
Kathryn Papaleo
Kathy Bozinovich
Katie Anderson
Katie Guzan
Katie Traines
Kelly A Nickoloff
Kelly Scanlon
Kerry Buchar
Kevin Fietek
Kim and Chuck Van Fossan
Kimberlee Herold
Kimberly McShea
Laura Cashier
Laura Ladewski
Laura Watson
Lauren Schuster
Lee Rigby
Leslie Johnson
Linda Athmer
Linda Gow
Linda McBride
Linsey Foster
Lynn and Mike Lullo
Macy's Inc
Marcene Tekampe
Marcy Milkowski and Peter Rizzi
Maria Caserta
Mark Yonally
Mary (Molly) Griffin
Mary Beth Vieha
Mary Lu Johnston
Mary Semik
Matt Winkeljohn
Matthew and Christine Milkowski
Megan Peters Jovic
Merck
Michael and Laura Ladewski
Michelle Jushka
Michelle Lebreux
Mike McMillan
Mimi Batson
Morgan Brauer
Jared Miller
Jean Mohan
Clare Bohne
Elaine Glusac
Jenna Coyne
Karen Goodman
Katherine Carskie
Kathleen Geraghty
Mandy Lee
Nancy and Harry Devereux
Nancy Schwartz
Nancy Shepherdson
Nora Garcia
Patrick Buckley
Paul Nagaro
Paula and Bob Woodlief
Polly Andrews
Reagan Wheeler
Regina Keller
Robert Nagy
Rubelda Madrigal
Sally Wise
Samantha Rice
Sara S Sharpe
Sara Superfine
Scott Hamburg
Selena and Geoffrey Clark
Shaina Moran
Sharon Gramer
Shaun Syring
Shawn and Michael Klupchak
Sheila and John McInerney
Sherry Andrews
Steven An
Steven Fietek
Sue Poletto
Susie Wiegele
Terri Demarest
The Brunker and Moss Families
Thea Janus
Thrivent
Tom Gaylord
US Charitable Gift Trust
Walter Stumpf
Warren Solochek
Workday
Board Member Member of The Pack
