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Board of Advisors
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Lisa Tedeschi Vergara, Founder

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Lisa was raised in Needham, Massachusetts. After graduating from Needham High School, Lisa attended The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where she graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design in 1983. She began her career at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, as Creative Art Director, winning numerous awards for her design work. It was early on in her career where she gained invaluable experiences and knowledge that the most powerful weapon for changing the world is education.

     After two years of contemplation and having the goal of launching a charitable nonprofit organization, Storytime Crafts, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit was founded in May of 2019. Lisa founded the nonprofit with the goal of uniting communities to promote inclusive childhood literacy opportunities for all. 

     Lisa is described as “a literal connection to all things literary in Greater Boston”. Today, Lisa’s purpose and passion lies in her commitment to promoting literacy through art, community and kindness.

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Lennox Chase, Legal Advisor

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"Storytime Crafts founder Lisa Vergara of Needham, MA, is an impactful nonprofit leader. Storytime Crafts has a clear mission and purpose of creating diverse book-rich environments for children. Ms. Vergara has assembled talented and skilled volunteers dedicated to supporting the organization’s grassroots literacy initiative.

     The ratio of program expenses to total expenses is such that a donor can rest assured that their donation will go as far as possible. Ms. Vergara has displayed an ability to inspire and engage volunteers and constituents/members as passionate partners and spokespersons. Further, Ms. Vergara has shown a willingness to partner with other nonprofits working to address the same issues, regarding those organizations as allies as opposed to competitors.

     Accordingly, I am pleased to be a partner with Storytime Crafts."

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Maria Citrin, Literacy Advisor

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7th Grade Teacher, Murphy School, Dorchester, MA​

I went to undergrad at Smith College and then got my Master’s in Sports Management at UMass Amherst. My first “real” job brought me to Boston as an Account Executive at a cause-marketing firm, where we helped build and publicize partnerships between businesses and non-profit organizations. From there I took my marketing skills to the nonprofit side as I became Assistant to the President of the founder of YouthBuild. 

     When I was 29, someone asked me, “What is your most cherished unfulfilled dream?”  Without hesitation, the answer came out “to teach.”  That moment marked the beginning of my career transition from marketing to teacher and educator. 

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Ty Allan Jackson, Chief Literacy Advisor

Award-winning children’s book author, literacy advocate, and captivating motivational speaker

 

In 2011 Ty founded Big Head Books, LLC, a literacy organization that aims to introduce children to the joys of reading. Ty travels around the country inspiring children and educating adults about the impacts of illiteracy. A three-time TedX presenter, Ty believes that literacy is the foundation for a successful life and promotes it with humor and enthusiasm. Ty’s work as an author and literacy advocate earned him the Massachusetts inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Content of Character Award, as well as citations from the Massachusetts Governor, Senator, and the House of Representatives.

     Ty’s books have been featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, The Steve Harvey Show, PBS and countless other media outlets. In 2012, Ty’s books were gifted to former First Lady Michelle Obama by his hometown mayor. He is the co-founder of the Read or Else movement and Danny Dollar Academy.

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"I can say with great sincerity that there are fewer people who care and make the effort to better their community than Lisa Vergara. With a level of dedication and commitment aligned with a remarkable work ethic, Ms. Vergara lives to serve. From supplying toiletries to families who are less fortunate, to gifting hundreds of bikes to children who can’t afford them, to giving away tens of thousands of books to kids in need, Lisa and Storytime Crafts, has changed the lives of countless children and families. Her level of goodwill makes her a superhero in a time when it is needed the most. She is worthy of all the praise, accolades and support given to her."

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Claire Kaiser, Community Connector Advisor

Systems Navigator, Families in Transition, YMCA of Greater Boston

Formerly Association Director for Community Hub Schools​, YMCA of Greater Boston

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"Lisa and her organization, Storytime Crafts, has been an incredible asset to the King K-8 School since beginning her work with us in the Spring of 2018. Lisa has provided thousands of books to our students and two incredible art chairs that we are proud to make use of in our library.
     Lisa's passion for literacy is contagious and students often walk out of one of her events asking for extra books to take home and making special requests for her next visit. The Grove Hall Community has been historically underserved and under-resourced and Lisa's partnership has made it possible to bring books into the lives of all of our students in a way that we would not be able to without her help. Her reach has gone beyond the King as she continues to collaborate with other schools and community centers in our neighborhood. "
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Sean Thimas, Community Literacy Advisor

Program Manager, ReadBoston, Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, Boston, MA
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Founded in 1995, ReadBoston is the City’s only comprehensive early literacy program, reaching Boston’s children at all points in their day, all year long. They provide schools, childcare programs, community-based organizations, and families in low-income and new-immigrant communities with the resources they need to set Boston’s children on the path to reading success.
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