About Us
With over 80% of third graders reading below grade level, several
Fresno community leaders gathered in 2005 to launch a community-wide
literacy initiative. ReadFresno was launched under
One By One
Leadership, a 501(c)3. In 2008, ReadFresno became its own 501(c)3
non-profit.
Illiteracy is a problem in Fresno which can be solved.
The ReadFresno staff members are passionate about reading. They
all share an enthusiasm about spreading the message of the importance of
reading.
DOT POWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Dot Powell is a
retired school principal and educator for 33 years. She was elected one of the "Top Ten
Business Women of Fresno" in 2007. She is also Director of a
non-profit called Salt Fresno which promotes partnerships between
churches and schools. She took leadership of ReadFresno in August
2007. She publishes the SALT Fresno Magazine to spread the news of
how they are impacting the lives of our community’s youth and families.
Dot mentors nine Hmong girls from SE Fresno in developing life skills
and building academic success. She is married to Larry Powell, Superintendent of Fresno
County Schools. They have one adult daughter and son-in-law; and one
grandchild.
Read Fresno Staff
From Left to Right: Linda McAlexander, Sarah Loomis, Judi Sommarstrom,
Dot Powell and Belinda McDanel (Not pictured: Robert Loomis)
- LINDA McALEXANDER, FUSD LIAISON - Linda
is a retired middle school teacher. Her areas of specialty are
media, drama, and puppetry. She joined ReadFresno at it's inception
in 2005. She was a docent at the Fresno Zoo for 12 years. She lives
with her husband of 41 years. She is employed by Fresno Unified School
District.
- SARAH LOOMIS, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL READINESS -
Sarah comes with a generous experience working with children both as
a Foster Parent and a Pre-school teacher. She runs a party
coordinator business and creates beautiful gift baskets. She lives
with her husband of seven years. They have a two-year-old son. She
is the princess of everything.
- JUDI SOMMARSTROM, FINANCE MANAGER - Judi
retired from Fresno Unified School District after 27 years as a Budget
Technician. She
has extensive experience with the employees of FUSD and feels no
shame in calling on old favors. She is mother of an adult son. She is
the proud grandmother of an eleven-year-old girl. She is Queen of
everything.
- BELINDA MCDANEL, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SUCCESS -
Belinda comes from a rich background in training and working with
volunteers. She was a Pastor for 12 years with The Wesleyan Church.
She has a passion for empowering people through literacy. She is a
writer and about to publish her first book of poems. She lives with
her two teenage children and her husband of 25 years. She has B.S.
in Psychology from San Diego State University and a M.Div. from
Asbury Theological Seminary
- ROBERT LOOMIS, BOOK MANAGER -
Rob comes with a generous experience setting up facilities. He also
has experience in construction. Rob is the man who is talented and
he fixes and builds
things. He drives the ReadFresno van and is the perfect person to
manage the van and all the books that he hauls in the van. He is a
great complement to the ReadFresno team. Rob is married to Sarah and they have a two-year-old son.
Rob is the Prince of everything!