Washtenaw Literacy will be honoring outgoing Development Director Vanessa Mayesky at a reception on November 19 at Kerrytown Concert House from 5:30 to 7.  Vanessa has been with Washtenaw Literacy for twelve years, at first as a VISTA volunteer.  She became the agency’s first Development Director in 1999.  In that role, Vanessa built a diversified and strong resource development foundation that included implementing the Benevon system of fundraising, overseeing the creation and implementation of World in a Basket, and developing a solid grant base. 

Vanessa will not be far from Washtenaw Literacy.  She will be the first full-time Coordinator for the new Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County.  Founded in 2007 by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, the Coalition’s 38 members include literacy agencies, educational institutions, businesses and individuals.  The charge of the Coalition is to implement the Blueprint to End Illiteracy.  Washtenaw Literacy is a founding member of the Coalition.