About Us
Saratoga Children's Literacy League (SCLL) is a non-profit organization created by Erin Smith and Debra Nicastro. SCLL serves the children of Saratoga County by providing them with free books regardless of income level. The goal is to support the growth of children's home libraries to build a culture of reading for enjoyment AND to promote academic and personal growth. SCLL volunteers refurbish donated books to make them like new. Clifford and Ollie's book bus visits various neighborhoods and events through out Saratoga County. Book and monetary donations are gladly accepted to support SCLL's mission.
Our Mission
Low literacy causes a significant percentage of Saratoga County residents to needlessly endure a lower quality of life. It often leads to unemployment, poverty, and health issues. Unfortunately, the cycle commonly continues on to the next generation. Additionally, the Covid epidemic has made our literacy levels even lower. The largest literacy decline is among kindergarteners through second graders. In the fall of 2020, only 37% of kindergarteners in the United States were on track to learn to read, down from 55% a year earlier – this trend continued across all elementary-school students.
Clifford and Ollie’s book bus visits children of Saratoga County and gets them excited about reading! We want children to be able to select books that interest them. When children have the freedom to pick out the books they want to read, they develop their identities as readers. All books will are given out to children and families free of charge.
The Team
Debra Nicastro - Chairperson and Co-founder
Debra Nicastro is a recently retired school teacher from Schenectady City School District. Debra holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Masters of Science in Literacy from SUNY Albany. Over her 30 years of teaching, she has taught students of all ages from pre-school through 12th grade. In addition to her public school teaching, she created School Solutions, her educational consulting and tutoring business. Debra lives in Saratoga Springs, NY with her husband Paul Nicastro and their 4 children and two dogs. Her hobbies include reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Erin Smith - Chairperson and Co-founder
Erin Smith is the creator and owner of Sanity Seekers-Roadtrips for Women. Erin is an active member of the Saratoga Springs community. She was Lake Elementary School PTA President, served on the Saratoga County Children's Committee, was a committee member of Saratoga Mom Prom for years, and TUFF eNUFF event coordinator. Erin enjoys spending time with her family. Husband Mike, her three sons, and Clifford, the little black dog. She enjoys reading, gardening, kayaking, and most outdoor activities. In 2023, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner awarded Erin with the Saratoga County Woman of Distinction Award.
Ellen Cuminale - Secretary & Volunteer Chair
Ellen holds a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Northeastern University. She was an Assistant Director of Career Development at the New England School of Law and Health Educator at Preterm Health Services in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ellen was a Student Assistant Counselor at the Prevention Council in Saratoga Springs. Ellen has volunteered for many non-profits including The Giving Circle, The Franklin Community Center Food Pantry and Jake's Help from Heaven. She is married with three children and she enjoys reading, movies, cooking and entertaining.
Jean Ross Huntington - Treasurer & Grant Writing Chair
Jean Ross Huntington is a retired healthcare executive with over 40 years in strategic and operational leadership. In her role as a visionary Senior Leader, she successfully developed innovative programs that achieved operational, financial, and quality results at multiple community and academic based health care systems. Her skills include program development, operational excellence, and grant writing for cancer and community health programs. She enjoyed managing complex projects and mentoring staff.
Jean lives in Gansevoort, NY and enjoys spending time with her family and friends especially her active grandchildren. Jean likes to hike, bike, kayak, swim, strength train, read, do puzzles and is always up for new adventures.
Jerilyn Carozza Stellato - Brand & Media Chair
Jerilyn Carozza Stellato has been an educator in the South Glens Falls Central School District for over 30 years beginning as an elementary classroom teacher then shifting into the role of instructional coach and district administrator. Currently, Jerilyn is the Director of Innovative K-5 Curriculum, Instruction, and Design working with district and building level leaders to implement best instructional practices, shifts in curriculum, classroom design, and innovative changes necessary for learning in the digital age. Jerilyn is the mother of three wonderful children, two amazing step daughters, and her sweet dog Charley. In her free time she enjoys cooking, baking, cycling and rowing on Saratoga Lake with her husband Tony.
Nadine Burke - Finance & Audit Chair
Nadine was born and raised in Schenectady and currently lives in Saratoga Springs. She graduated from the University of Scranton in 1992 with a BS in Finance and Economics. Nadine worked as a financial planner at The Ayco Company (now Goldman Sachs) from 1992-2005. During that time she obtained an MBA from The State University at Albany, married Tom Burke and had three children; TJ (age 25), Sophia (age 23), and Isabel (age 20). Nadine taught finance remotely for about two years through Empire State College.
Nadine is very involved in our community! She was the Girl Scout Leader of two separate troops, Beagle School Board of Directors , secretary and VP of the SSHS Girls Lacrosse Booster Club; started and helped run F.L.A.G (Front Line Appreciation Group of Saratoga County) during the COVID pandemic.
A little fun side note…her first job in high school was a Paige in the Children’s room at the Schenectady County Public Library. "I have always loved children, children’s books and reading to children! So, when I saw what SCL was about it really spoke to me!"
Beth Burmaghim - Governance & Nominating Chair
Beth is a recently retired Early Childhood Professional who worked for the New York State Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, in the Family Benefits Unit, for 23 years. In that role, Beth provided operational support to 28 not-for-profit (501 C3) Early Care and Learning Centers across the State. Prior to working for NYS, Beth lived in San Francisco and worked as the director of a private early care and learning center for children ages six weeks through second grade.
Beth is the mother of two wonderful grown men Cole and Kai, and lives in Saratoga Springs, NY with her husband. She loves to cook and entertain, read, garden and walk, but mostly, Beth is passionate about nurturing the relationships of those she loves!
