Since Turning the Page came to Chicago in 2015, our Advisory Board has helped establish support for our programs and events.
In the spring, Turning the Page Chicago hosted its first fundraiser, where we celebrated this year’s work and raised funds for next year’s programs.
View photos from our Pints&Bites fundraiser
Our Advisory Board is essential in making fundraisers and all Turning the Page programs successful. Each member of our board brings unique experiences and expertise to our organization.
“I enjoy being involved with organizations like Turning the Page that allow you to support its mission in several ways,” said Meggan Runner, Advisory Board member. “I can give back by fundraising, hosting book drives and also through direct service.”
Meggan is a former high school teacher and AmeriCorps VISTA member. Due to her classroom experience, she enjoys volunteering at our partner schools and working directly with parents and students at Community Nights.
“As a former teacher, it is easy to be frustrated when parents are not actively involved in the education process. Turning the Page Community Nights show that parents actually want to be involved and just need to be shown how they can play an active role,” Meggan said. “I love when the parents are asking awesome questions and you can really see the learning taking place.”
Garth Walker, a resident physician at the University of Chicago has been involved with our programs since he was an AmeriCorps VISTA at Turning the Page in 2009. Now that he’s a member of Chicago’s Advisory Board, Garth recruits his colleagues in the medical field to volunteer at Turning the Page’s health and STEM related events. This year, Garth and fellow resident physicians helped students with science experiments and math activities at our hands-on STEAM fair.
Our Advisory Board also includes Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. This author and illustrator team writes award-winning children’s books. Candace and Eric have visited multiple Turning the Page schools over the past two years for our Author Visit Community Nights. This spring, they presented their newest book, Giant Squid, at Legacy Charter School.
Our Advisory Board promotes Turning the Page among their professional and personal circles. Board members, including Elsa Adriani, Evelyn Kelly and Ellen Sherratt, have held book drives at their offices and reached out to Chicago businesses for silent auction items and donations.
While each Advisory Board member brings unique skills and interests to the group, all are committed to our organization’s mission – increasing parent engagement in Chicago schools.
“The research is very clear that literacy is key to academic and life success,” Board member Ellen Sherratt said. “TTP offers an innovative and effective model for improving literacy.”
Every member shares the goal of supporting Chicago students and ensuring they received the quality education they deserve.
“I am deeply 
passionate about organizations that are trying to educate and change behavior cycles,” Meggan said. “Turning the Page is really trying to get at the root of the issue and provide parents tools and resources that help them advocate for their children.”
All board members contribute time to making Turning the Page programs successful, and we are thankful for the support they’ve provided as we grow our programing in Chicago. Thank you Advisory Board members for all you do!
Interested in joining our Advisory Board?
Contact CEO Jason King to learn more about becoming a member of our Advisory Board!