About Us:
“Literacy” is a broad term for just about any skill or knowledge a person needs to navigate in today’s world. Naturally, “literacy” encompasses reading and writing, probably the first ideas the word evokes. But it is so much more. Literacy includes the know-how needed to get a driver’s license, participate as a citizen in a community, speak and understand a language, use a computer, or keep a budget. The Racine Literacy Council operates with this more expansive definition. We approach our mission with a unique blend of paid staff and volunteers. Much of what the Council accomplishes is through the dedication of talented tutors and board members who give their time to help others. We are very much a volunteer organization.
Racine Literacy Council is also a 501(c)3 charitable organization, which makes us tax-exempt.
We depend on the generosity of individual donors and funders to do this work, as well as a deep network of partners who work with us.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to provide an array of literacy services that allow Racine County residents to attain their full potential and to be engaged citizens.
Our Vision:
Every person in Racine County has the literacy skills and confidence to live the life they dream.
Laura Sumner Coon
Executive Director
Non-Voting Board Member
In her first professional career, Laura was a reporter and editor for various newspapers. She then worked with the Racine Dominican Sisters in Communication and Development, and from there moved into education to serve under-resourced children through nonprofit programming and leadership. For seven years, she served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in the teacher preparation program. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication-Journalism, master’s degrees in Nonprofit Management & Leadership, and Pastoral Studies and is a doctoral candidate at Marquette University in Education Policy & Leadership. Education Equity is at the heart of her work. She is married and has two adult children and two grandchildren. Her passion is social justice and she is also a member of the Spirit of Racine Music Makers.
Click here to find out more about Laura.
Meet our Staff
-
Karen Tillis
Family Literacy Coordinator
Karen Tillis is a fierce advocate for education, community and equity, and is excited to bring these values to her role as RLC’s Family Literacy Program Coordinator. Karen’s passion for reading began as a preschooler obsessed with LeVar Burton’s Reading Rainbow, but it was further fueled by the desire to help others achieve their full potential. She received her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies followed by a post-baccalaureate degree in education. She taught 4K, 5th grade, and was a school secretary. Karen also served on a board of directors for a nonprofit organization whose mission was to tutor and coach student athletes. She enjoys teaching Zumba and finding an excuse to wear a costume. -
Jessica Breiwick
Communications & Development
Jessica was born and raised in Racine. She started at RLC as a part-time assistant in 2021 and has grown into a new role of full-time Communications & Development Coordinator, working to keep RLC students, tutors and the public informed about RLC programs and events. As a mom of four kids, she knows the importance of a quality education for all. As she takes on this new role, she is excited to promote RLC so that residents of Racine County have opportunities for a better life in our community. -
Tihane (Tia) Adams
Community Outreach Coordinator
Tihane (Tia) Adams is a recent graduate of Gateway Technical College and is continuing her education at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She came to the Racine Literacy Council in February 2023 as an intern and was quickly hired as the organization’s first Community Engagement Specialist. She represents RLC at various community events and works with prospective students and tutors. She enjoys listening to music, reading and spending time with family and friends. -
Cecilia (Cece) Hernandez
Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Cecilia (Cece) Hernandez has joined Racine Literacy Council as a Bilingual Executive Assistant. She was born and raised in Racine by immigrant parents who only speak Spanish. In her childhood, she grew up translating for her parents. That’s part of what she says attracted her to the Racine Literacy Council, where she can help people like her parents communicate. “I wanted to work at the Racine Literacy Council because I like to help people,” says Cece. “I also like the message of the Council, that ‘literacy’ isn’t only about reading, but also about learning what you need to manage life.” -
Maria Maldonado
Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Maria Maldonado was born in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico, and came to the United States with her parents when she was six years old. Her family settled in Texas, where Maria spent most of her childhood. She then moved to Racine three years ago. Maria is a Bilingual Executive Assistant at Racine Literacy Council, a job she says excites her because she knows she is able to make it an easier journey for people who migrate to the United States through her job. “I know how hard it is to learn a new language,” she says. -
Richard Goetsch
Driver’s Education Teacher
Richard joined Racine Literacy Council after a 38-year career in education as principal and superintendent. He developed a curriculum for people who wanted to study to take the Wisconsin driver’s regular and commercial drivers’ license tests. He has been teaching future drivers for more than 25 years at RLC. Richard is a resident of western Racine County and has been an active community volunteer, doing income taxes for AARP, serving on the boards of the Lakeshores Library System, Walworth County Literacy Council and the Town of Dover Planning and Zoning. He has been a 4-H leader for nearly 60 years and is involved in the Hispanic Round Table and Hispanic Business & Professional Assoc.
Meet our Board of Directors
-
James Hooper
BOARD PRESIDENT
For 36 years, Jim has been in corporate real estate, facilities management, and project management. Currently, he is the Director of Facility Planning and Maintenance for Racine Unified School District and is responsible for creating and implementing the District’s long-range facilities master plan. A lifelong volunteer, Jim is the newest Board Member to the Racine Literacy Council.
-
Atif Taj
VICE PRESIDENT
Atif is a long-time Racine Literacy Council Board Member. A Senior Analyst at Johnson Outdoors, Atif has an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a graduate degree from University of Wisconsin. He currently serves as chairperson of the Racine Literacy Council’s Governance Committee. As father of a young son, Atif’s activities revolve around family.
-
Mary Biesack
TREASURER
Mary is a lifelong Racine resident who currently serves the Board as its Treasurer. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her hobby is reading, a perfect fit for a Racine Literacy Council volunteer.
-
Ashleigh Dickey
SECRETARY
A Racine native, Ashleigh attended Horlick High School and then served for seven years as a military police officer in the US Navy, where she was stationed in Florida and Japan. Ashleigh moved back to Racine to attend Marquette University Law School, where she graduated in 2022. She is currently a general practice attorney, focusing on real estate law, estate planning and business law. Ashleigh also has many years of volunteer experience, ranging from working with the American Red Cross to schools, churches and nonprofits. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family and outdoor activities.
-
Victor Frasher
BOARD MEMBER
Victor Frasher is a financial literacy advocate for advising and educating the community of best financial practices. A lifelong resident of Racine, Victor dedicates his time to various local organizations in addition to the Racine Literacy Council Board. Victor is a Board Member for Junior Achievement Racine/Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin Woman Business Initiative advisory team for southeastern Wisconsin and City of Racine’s Community Development Committee. Victor also serves on various advisory boards, including Kenosha and Racine Unified School Districts.
-
Patricia O'Connell
BOARD MEMBER
Patricia is a CPA, with a master’s degree in Business Management from Strayer University. She spent 32 years in the military and retired at the rank of Colonel. She is self-employed and semi-retired and serves as chairperson of the Racine Literacy Council’s Personnel Committee. She loves quilting, gardening, and, most of all, her grandchildren.
-
Patti Walker
BOARD MEMBER
After teaching for Racine Unified School District for more than 30 years, Patti retired in 2003 and has been an English as a Second Language tutor at the Racine Literacy Council since. She joined the Council’s Board of Directors in 2020 and serves on the administrative board and financial committee for her church, as well. She is also on the scholarship committee of Volunteers in Partnership with Ascension-All Saints, and volunteers at the Northside Food Pantry.
-
John Gates
BOARD MEMBER
This is John’s second time serving on the Racine Literacy Council Board. He was the Vice President of the Board in 1987 and has since served many area nonprofit organizations, including Health Care Network. He and his wife, Jill, opened Red Cross Drug in 1980, an operation they ran until 1996, when the pharmacy became part of Aurora Health Care. John then joined Aurora and became the Director of Aurora’s Retail Pharmacy Operations until he retired in 2018. In 2022, John became a volunteer tutor for Racine Literacy Council and looks forward to extending his volunteerism to the board.
-
Jessica Johnson
BOARD MEMBER
Jessica is a Business Analyst for the Human Resources Department of Gateway Technical College, where she also works as an adjunct instructor. She is a recent graduate of Leadership Racine and currently serves as chairperson for the Great Lakes Users Conference, which serves colleges and universities in Canada, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. She holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from Strayer University. Jessica has more than 11 years of Human Resource experience with various midsized companies. In her spare time, she enjoys learning new things, reading, sitting in the sun and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
-
Freda Barkley
BOARD MEMBER
After moving here as a young adult to pursue an accounting degree at Carthage College, Freda settled in Racine, married and raised her family here. She is no stranger to nonprofit work. Freda is the Finance Manager for the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She has served as Business, Finance and Human Resources manager for several organizations in Racine and Kenosha. Having family members who struggled with literacy fueled Freda’s interest in serving on the Racine Literacy Council Board, where she can have a direct impact on opening opportunities through adult education to Racine-area residents.