About Us
Unlock the Future: Empowering Fredericksburg Through Literacy
Reading is the key to unlocking our region's potential. In 2026, adult literacy remains the most powerful tool for transformation. At the Fredericksburg READS Literacy Council, we are turning the page toward a stronger future.
The Impact on Our City
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A Stronger Community: Literacy empowers residents to navigate healthcare, advocate for their rights, and engage as active citizens. Every dollar invested in adult education provides a $60 return to our local economy through increased tax revenue and reduced social service costs.
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A Skilled Workforce: We bridge the skills gap by providing the GED preparation and digital literacy training Fredericksburg employers need. Raising an adult’s literacy level makes them 50% less likely to live in poverty, fueling local economic growth.
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Thriving Families: Literacy breaks the cycle of intergenerational poverty. When parents learn to read, they become their children’s first teachers, ensuring the next generation of Fredericksburg students arrives at school ready to succeed.
Join the Movement
Whether you want to learn, volunteer, or partner, your involvement changes lives.
Enroll, volunteer or donate: Email the Fredericksburg READS Literacy Council at info@fredreads.org to start today.
Our Story
This organization started with the vision of three founding members who wanted to make an impact on our region and meet a need that was lacking. In November of 2025, Fredericksburg READS Literacy Council was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In January of 2026 we began serving our first learners, connecting them with gracious volunteers from the community.
Meet The Board
As the Executive Director and Founding Board member of the Fredericksburg READS Literacy Council, Kristi Lisech is a dedicated advocate for the transformative power of literacy within her community. With over 30 years of experience in education, she currently serves as an Adult Services Library Programmer at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, where she specializes in ESOL and innovative community programming. Kristi’s expertise is backed by a Master of Education in TESOL with an Adult Education concentration from Regent University, a credential that fuels her passion for helping New Americans and adult learners gain the essential skills needed for success. Outside of her professional leadership, Kristi is deeply rooted in the Fredericksburg area; she is a devoted wife, the mother of four adult children, and an active member of her local church. Her career remains focused on a singular, heartfelt mission: ensuring every member of the Fredericksburg community has the tools to thrive through the power of literacy.
Shanna Boutchyard is a founding Board Member of Fredericksburg READS Literacy Council and a seasoned organizational leader currently serving as the Director of Human Resources for Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, where she has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing workforce development and community impact. Her extensive career at RGI is marked by strategic leadership in human capital management and program oversight, including a successful tenure as the AmeriCorps Program Director for the GoodSkills Literacy Corps. In that capacity, she managed multi-million dollar grant portfolios and directed statewide literacy initiatives. A graduate of Shepherd University with degrees in Business Administration and Family & Consumer Science, Shanna combines her deep operational expertise with a steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive, mission-driven workplace cultures. She is also a busy mom and lives with her husband and children in the city of Fredericksburg.
