As we enter this season of gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the many “tables” that have shaped READ USA’s journey—tables where people gather to plan, to learn, to listen, and to lift one another up.
Thanksgiving reminds us that a table is never just a piece of furniture. It is a symbol of welcome, of community, and of shared purpose. And when I think of the work we do together, I see so many of you—our READ USA donors, partners, volunteers, and friends—continually pulling up chairs and making room for others.
At READ USA, every child we serve is invited to a table of possibility. But that invitation is only possible because you came first. You make space for students who need support. You open doors for families seeking opportunity. You help create environments where literacy can flourish, where children can discover their own potential, and where teens can thrive and launch themselves into their futures. Your generosity of time, talent, resources, and heart builds the very tables where learning takes place.
This year, I am especially grateful for the way you show up with intention: Our donors invest with a steadfast belief that literacy transforms futures. Our partners collaborate with trust and vision. Our volunteers give their time with compassion and joy. And our friends across the community champion our mission in countless ways, often quietly and without recognition. Together, you create a powerful circle of connection—one that extends far beyond any single classroom or program.
As our great country celebrates Thanksgiving and all that it represents tomorrow, I want to express my appreciation for each of you who choose, day after day, to come to the table with READ USA. Your commitment ensures that every child and teen reads on grade level and is prepared to succeed in the workforce and beyond.
Thank you for believing in the power of literacy. And thank you for coming to the table so that together, we can continue to change lives.
I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Robert H. Kelly, Jr.
READ USA President & CEO
Missed Peace in the Pages? Watch it Here!
If you were unable to attend Peace in the Pages earlier this month, you can now experience it virtually!
Watch some highlights from the event here:
This year’s Peace in the Pages was full of inspiration and insights from all of our guest speakers, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to relive and share it with our READ USA friends, partners, and donors.
To watch the full event video, click HERE or on the image below:
#SpoilerAlert for those who were unable to attend: READ USA Literacy Tutoring & Workforce Development is a national best practice, successfully producing proven results! Our keynote speaker, Dr. David Steiner, Executive Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, shared national insights about literacy and effective literacy interventions, and we are thankful for all the knowledge and research he shared.
Every year, the highlight for Team READ USA at Peace in the Pages is the celebration of our award honorees, who are all highly deserving of the recognition and support they received—so of course we wanted to take another opportunity to talk about each of them!
You can read more about each of our award honorees here:
Peter Racine, Retired President, Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation: READ To Lead Award Honoree
Will Brown, Reporter, WJCT News: Mark Landen Memorial Award for Democracy Through Journalism
Jennifer Beale-Collier, Principal, Anchor Academy Elementary School: Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award
Of course, Peace in the Pages would not have been possible without our sponsors and partners. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida; to our events sponsors, Ellen & Jim Wiss, STEM2 Hub, PRI Productions, and Prattify; and to our event partners, Duval County Public Schools and Kids Hope Alliance, for your essential contributions!
THANK YOU to everyone who joined us to make the 2025 Peace in the Pages event a tremendous success!
As our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly shared above and at the event, “Thank you for coming to the table!”
Help Propel a Teen’s Future: Join Us Next Saturday!
If you are interested in… supporting local youth, helping teens prepare for their future, and investing in tomorrow’s workforce… this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!
READ USA Mock Interview Day is where 150+ local teens—the workforce of tomorrow—come together for a morning of learning and workforce preparation, and YOU can be a part of their experience!
READ USA is recruiting professionals from a variety of careers and backgrounds to volunteer as interviewers on Mock Interview Day:
Saturday, December 6th
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Schultz Center
4019 Boulevard Center Drive
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. | Lunch will be provided
As part of our Workforce Development programming, READ USA created Mock Interview Day to help our teen tutors practice their job interview skills to further prepare them for any career path they choose to pursue.
Here’s how it works:
- Professionals “interview” our teen tutors one-to-one—just like a real job interview—followed by a feedback session where professionals share advice and recommendations.
- Interviewers are provided with suggested questions and a scoring rubric for the interviews.
- Instructions are provided at the beginning of the event.
- Each volunteer interviews at least two tutors.
If you are interested in being a Mock Interview Day sponsor, or if you have any questions, email joe@readusainc.com or call 904.732.3872.
We look forward to seeing you next Saturday!
Children’s Book: A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Diane de Groat
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting is a heartwarming and humorous story that puts a fun twist on traditional Thanksgiving tales. With charming illustrations by Diane de Groat and a surprising plot, this book is a delightful read for young audiences.
The story follows Mr. and Mrs. Moose, who are preparing a lovely Thanksgiving dinner for their animal friends. Mrs. Moose says she wishes they had a turkey for the holiday, so Mr. Moose sets off to find one. Along the way, he gathers various animal companions to help him in his mission. When they finally find Turkey, he is terrified — he thinks he’s going to be the main course! But the surprise ending reveals that the Moose family just wants him to be a guest at their table, not dinner, which is both funny and heartwarming.
This book is so much fun to read because of the surprising twist, funny misunderstandings, lively characters, and beautiful illustrations.
A Turkey for Thanksgiving is perfect for reading aloud around Thanksgiving. It delivers a positive message about friendship, inclusion, and gratitude — without any scary moments for younger readers. Eve Bunting’s clever storytelling makes A Turkey for Thanksgiving a fun and memorable holiday read.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant
Parent Education Corner: Talking to Your Child About School
Instead of asking the generic “How was your day?” think about other kinds of questions to prompt conversation and help you connect with your child’s life at school. Here are some suggestions:
- What was the best thing that happened today? Encourages your child to focus on the positive aspects of their day.
- What was the most challenging thing you did today? Helps your child reflect on their accomplishments and learn from their mistakes.
- What one new thing did you learn today? Encourages your child think about their academic progress and their overall development.
- Who did you spend time with today? Gives you insight into your child’s friends and social circle.
- What did you do for fun today? Helps you learn more about what your child enjoys doing and how they spend their free time.
- Tell me something that made you laugh today. Shows that you value your child’s sense of humor and what makes them happy.
- Is there anything you want to talk about? This question leaves the door open for your child to share anything they’re thinking or feeling, whether it’s good or bad.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant