The SSRF hires Jennifer Forster as its new director

The South Sound Reading Foundation is pleased to announce that Jennifer Williamson Forster has been hired as the new executive director. Forster, an active member of the South Sound community, has over eight years of non-profit management experience with the Junior League of Olympia and Catholic Community Services. She has had additional leadership roles with many local non-profits, including the Family Support Center and the Hands on Children's Museum. On July 1st, Forster will replace current director Cindi Carey who is moving to North Carolina with her family.
“Jennifer brings compassion, exceptional organizational skills, and a nonprofit marketing background to the South Sound Reading Foundation,” said Carey. “Already I've seen that she has a true passion for children and literacy and will be a wonderful new leader in promoting our mission and message to “Read to your child 20 minutes a day!"
Forster plans to use her leadership, organizational and fundraising skills to promote the foundation's mission, to read to a child 20 minutes a day.
The mission of the early literacy nonprofit, which includes 10 local school districts in Thurston and Mason counties as well as other community partners, is to ensure that every child is read with at least 20 minutes a day starting at birth. Founded in 2001, the organization grew to include a BookVan that delivers free books to children, the “Booker T. Bear” mascot, several baby book programs at area hospitals and health care providers, children's book drives, preschool storytimes, and a Read-Aloud partnership with Timberland Regional Library.
For more information on the Foundation call (360) 412-4499, email read2me@nthurston.k12.wa.us, or visit their website at www.readingfoundation.org.