Announcements

LVSC is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Kushinka to the LVSC staff as our new Tutor Support Manager. Jennifer is succeeding Lisa Ries who provided top-notch support to our volunteers, but is moving out of state. Jennifer became an LVSC volunteer in 2005. At LVSC's 2024 Annual Meeting she received the Martha Davis Award for Outstanding Service in recognition of her commitment as a tutor, assessor, advocate, and supporter. She will make a great addition to the LVSC team and is well-positioned to pick up where Lisa left off.

Jennifer recently stepped aside from a life-long career as a radio newscaster and reporter.  Various stops along the way included Compass Media Networks, Wall Street Journal Radio, Bloomberg News and local radio stations WCTC/WMGQ in New Brunswick. Jennifer also worked as a pharmaceutical researcher, copywriter and news curator for PharmIntell and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Jennifer is an active volunteer for several organizations. She is president of the board of Second Chance for Animals, a non-profit that supports the Franklin Township Animal Shelter. She is also a mentor for refugees through Interfaith-RISE in Highland Park, and a volunteer for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Jennifer has been a Somerset County resident for all of her adult life.  She currently lives with cats Freckles and Ringo, and a slew of foster kittens.

Learn more about Jennifer:

LVSC Journey: I signed up to become an LVSC tutor nearly 20 years ago, thinking I would be helping American-born, English speakers how to read. I soon realized I would be helping non-English speakers how to assimilate to the U.S., which was even more interesting and challenging!

Proud LVSC Moment: Receiving the Martha Davis Service Award! If you attended the annual meeting in June, you probably noticed how choked up I was. It was an unexpected and unbelievable honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Favorite Quote: “Good comes to good.” I truly believe we are rewarded constantly in unexpected ways for the good we do for others.

Favorite Food: Way too many to name!

Favorite Book: Also too many to name, as I read more than 100 books per year. So far this year, my favorite book has been Life and Other Love Songs by Anissa Gray.

Passions & Pastimes: My entire family are Rutgers fanatics, and support football, men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and lacrosse. I also love to travel, and have so far visited 45 states and 28 countries. There are a lot more to go!

R&R spot: Most definitely LBI!