Serving Philly’s reading heroes.

We’re an energetic team looking to inspire authentic connections and meaningful change across the early-literacy ecosystem.

 

Libraries are the heart of our neighborhoods, but literacy brings them to life. Making sure our children can read is the foundation for every dream in Philadelphia.

MONIQUE MOORE PRYOR, ESQ.
President, Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation

Jenny Bogoni
Chief of Community Engagement and Public Programs
Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
bogonij@freelibrary.org

Julia Cadwallender
Managing Director
cadwallenderj@freelibrary.org

Simone Partridge
Director of Communications
partridges@freelibrary.org

 

Clinton Drees
Director of Community Engagement
dreesc@freelibrary.org

Terah Stivers
Partner Experience Manager
stiverst@freelibrary.org

Geya Bhimanapalli
Operations Manager
bhimanapallig@freelibrary.org

 

Jessica Guziak
AmeriCorps VISTA
guziakj@freelibrary.org

Nancy Scharff
Instructional Strategies Consultant
scharff.nancy@gmail.com

Abby Thaker
Senior Advisor
thakera@freelibrary.org

How staff support Philly’s early literacy movement.

THE BACKBONE OF CHANGE

  • We connect and align diverse stakeholders to do more for more.

    ✓ Maintain Common Agenda that identifies a shared vision, principles, and strategies

    ✓ Facilitate working groups

    ✓ Host Annual Partner Network Meeting and special events

    ✓ Lead Funders Roundtable and distribute reports

    ✓ Hold new partner orientations and secure partner agreements

    ✓ Identify efficiencies and opportunities across the literacy ecosystem 

  • We learn and create best practices - from the field and with each other.

    ✓ Pilot co-created projects and initiatives

    ✓ Host Lunch & Learn series

    ✓ Curate relevant research, articles, and insights

    ✓ Distribute free resources to partners that engage families, mobilize communities, and drive systems toward literacy justice

  • We listen, reflect, and refine.

    ✓ Track and report progress of collective strategies and goals 

    ✓ Evaluate the impact of pilot projects and initiatives 

    ✓ Analyze and share Partner Experience Survey feedback

    ✓ Publish Annual Impact Report

  • We amplify Philly's early literacy movement.

    ✓ Share resources and stories to energize, advance, and celebrate

    ✓ Document collective efforts through photography

    ✓ Manage targeted family, community, and advocacy campaigns

The Read by 4th movement is convened and managed by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.