Co-Founder Of Literacy Nonprofit Has Helped 5,000 Kids Learn To Read

LAKE FOREST, IL — Without community leaders, Lake Forest wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Kate Burke, a Lake Forest reader who nominated Mary Jane Hender.

How do you know the community leader?

Co-Founder and Board member of Reading Power, Inc.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Mary Jane developed and co-founded Reading Power Inc., a one-to-one literacy tutoring nonprofit. Reading Power completed its 20th year of high-dosage, individual literacy tutoring in May—giving nearly 5,000 children in Lake County, Il, now successful readers and writers, the priceless gift of literacy.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

"Founding Reading Power has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Watching others ignited by its possibilities and, thus, carrying it on has been the icing on the cake. We continue expanding to serve more students in need. This academic year alone, we are expanding into two new districts and four new schools, doubling our volunteer tutor base to serve more students. The expansion is a testament to our highly successful program and its remarkable results."

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Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.