Ally Velderman

Executive Director

ally@readottawa.org

616.843.1470

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Ally joined the READ Ottawa team in early 2024. Native to West Michigan and a Hope grad, Ally moved to Memphis, TN, and spent ten years working in Christian Community Development with Service Over Self (SOS). Starting as an intern and leaving as the Director of Programs and Communications, Ally loved the people, the place, and the opportunity to invest in being a neighbor and the vision of thriving communities. Ask her about the beauty of potlucks as a metaphor for community if you want to strike a passion point!

A stalwart believer in the work of nonprofits, Ally also works as a nonprofit consultant and a Chalmers Center Ambassador. Back home in Michigan, Ally is proximate to her family which means summer weekends up north at the cottage and Sunday dinner at her grandparents' with the family. An enthusiast of life, she loves MI sunsets, coffee shops, the farmers market, taking walks, and making brunch to share. 

Marisol Stork

Pair Coordinator
Grand Haven / Northwest Ottawa County

marisol@readottawa.org

616.834.0607

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Born in Iowa, but raised in Wisconsin, and a resident of Michigan since 1994, Marisol is a true Midwesterner at heart. Marisol has both a BA in Psychology and Religion, and a MSW in Social Work with an emphasis in Marriage & Family therapy. She is happily married, and a mother to two children and a rescue dog. Marisol started with READ Ottawa as a volunteer in 2012. She then took over at the Pair Coordinator in 2013, and has served the organization in that capacity since. Marisol loves the people she gets to meet in her job, and is proud to serve her community by working with READ Ottawa.

Lynn Groothuis

Training Coordinator
Ottawa County

lynn@readottawa.org

616.414.0295

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Lynn is a graduate of Calvin College with Bachelor's in Education. She taught at Zeeland Christian School from 1988 to 2022 in the regular classroom and as the visual arts instructor. Lynn has a passion for mentoring and has served in that role for the Ethnic Diversity Alliance, 70×7 Ministry, Alternative Education in Grand Haven and more. She believes strongly in the power that literacy brings and is committed to helping foster dignity in every learner. In her free time Lynn enjoys golfing and hiking with her husband as well as collecting interesting driftwood on the beaches of west Michigan.

Richelle Hofman

Pair Coordinator
Holland / Zeeland

richelle@readottawa.org

616.795.9991

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Richelle graduated with a Bachelor’s in English from Hope College and went on to receive a Master’s degree in Education from Grand Valley State University. She spent nearly thirty years in the high school classroom as an educator at Hamilton Community Schools teaching primarily British and American Literature. Richelle also stayed busy by teaching evening English classes at Hope College as well as coaching Hamilton’s Freshman Girls Basketball Team and Science Olympiad Team. Richelle has volunteered for READ Ottawa as both an Assessment Coordinator and tutor. Having grown up in West Michigan, Richelle believes the work READ Ottawa does changes lives and has a positive impact on her community. Richelle loves to mow her lawn, work in her flower garden, watch Hallmark movies, read, browse Amazon, and spend time with her husband, two daughters, and three furry cats.