Dear Friends,
First and foremost, I hope each of you and your families are doing what you can to stay healthy during this very challenging time in our world. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to provide an update regarding a leadership change at Coaching for Literacy (CFL).
It is with great excitement that I share my tenure as Executive Director for CFL has ended after six years. In that time, our work has grown from a high school project into a nationally recognized non-profit. The success we have achieved comes down to one thing: our supporters.
Since 2014, our partners have helped us achieve the following:
Ryan Viner explains to the Big Buddy Program students the importance of the grant to be given to the program as a part of the #Fight4Literacy initiative with LSU in 2018.
Fund more than 110 literacy projects nationwide
Allocate nearly $375,000 to help approximately 20,000 kids become better readers
75 NCAA teams, NBA players, and businesses have hosted over 170 #Fight4Literacy initiatives
Connect over 10 million Americans to the importance of childhood reading
We would not have made such a tremendous impact without the support that we received from donors, corporate partners, coaches, athletic departments, journalists, literacy programs, friends and family. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for working alongside me and our staff in the #Fight4Literacy.
Carleen O’Reilly, new Executive Director of Coaching for Literacy
I am pleased to announce that Carleen O’Reilly will serve as CFL's next Executive Director. Carleen has nearly 12 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector. She has served with excellence at ALSAC (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) and the American Red Cross. Carleen will continue to lead the organization toward our 2025 vision to become America’s leading literacy advocate. Read more about Carleen.
My new position as a financial advisor with the Wilfong Meyer Group at UBS Financial Services begins April 1st. My family and I are excited about a new endeavor. We look forward to learning from both the work we do and the people that labor with us!
Ryan Viner and Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, International Paper’s Director of IP Foundation, take a photo with the students from Baton Rouge’s Big Buddy Program and the $9,000 check being awared to the program as a part of the #Fight4Literacy initiative with LSU in 2018.
In closing, it is too soon to understand how COVID-19 and students being out of school for an extended period of time will affect test scores and literacy rates. I do know hundreds of educators across our country and am confident they are doing everything in their power to serve the kids and families placed in their care. Now is the time for our fellow citizens to support one another in many ways. Please be mindful of the strain currently being placed on the education system and invest in our educators as you are able!
I will always advocate for childhood literacy and will remain deeply connected to the work of CFL. I know that CFL has the staff, board, partners, and the plan needed to advance childhood reading in our country. I thank you for your continued support during this transition.
Sincerely,
S. Ryan Viner
