Beyond Books 2024
On Thursday, March 21st, 2024, scaleLIT hosted our seventh annual fundraiser and awards ceremony, Beyond Books. With over 120 amazing guests and three truly inspiring award winners, The Library was buzzing with excitement and energy. Laughter, chatter, and new connections filled the air as everyone came together to make the night unforgettable. Thanks to the incredible support of our guests, sponsors, and everyone involved, scaleLIT is geared up to keep making a difference in our community.
Read on for our 2024 Beyond Books highlights!
Award Winners and Guests
During the program, scaleLIT honored three fantastic award winners for their work in adult literacy. Coincidently, we were also thrilled to recognize three female award winners during Women’s History Month.
First, Sara Martinez of World Relief received our Personal Achievement Award in recognition of her nearly ten years spent working her way through World Relief programs. Sara was presented her award by Adrian J DeLeon, Co-Founder and CEO of Innovare.
Next, Susana Ortiz won the Shirley Jenkins Adult Education Provider Award, which was presented by Kathy Allison from United for Better Living. Susana is the Community Literacy Coordinator at Erie Neighborhood House where she has served the community for over 24 years.
Andrea Sáenz, President and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust was then awarded as scaleLIT’s 2024 Literacy Leader in recognition of her lifetime commitment to literacy. The Literacy Leader Award was presented by Christa Hamilton, the President and CEO of UCAN Chicago.
The program video below highlights more of the work that each of these deserving winners has accomplished as well as the commitments and progress scaleLIT is making as we continue beyond the event.
Several officials and dignitaries were also in attendance, including Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown, Rachel Ruttenberg the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Grant Consultant for IL State Library Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias Ted Przybylo, and City Council member for the 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez.
Last but certainly not least, two board members who have given over a decade of service to scaleLIT moved to emeritus status: Lisbeth Goble and Carmen Kimble.
Photos!
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, or supported Beyond Books 2024. We are grateful for your generosity as we advance our mission to ensure equitable access to adult education, job training, and workforce development services.
