The building was buzzing with energy, purpose, and possibility on Mock Interview Day!

On Saturday, the Schultz Center came alive as 160+ READ USA teen tutors stepped into a professional setting to practice job interviews, build confidence and professional skills, and prepare for their next steps in life. And at the center of it all were the incredible volunteers, partners, and sponsors who made the day possible.

Our Community Showed Up!

Passionate volunteers from across Jacksonville — representing a wide range of industries, backgrounds, and career paths — came together to invest directly in our teens. Through one-on-one “mock” job interviews, thoughtful feedback, and meaningful conversations, our volunteers created an experience that went far beyond practice.

They created real, lasting impact.

Because of our volunteers’ time, insight, and willingness to share their expertise:

• Teens gained real-world interview experience,
• Professional skills were sharpened,
• Confidence grew in measurable ways, and
• New possibilities for the future began to take shape!

Based on feedback from our tutors, the experience was transformational — a day where learning became real, personal, and deeply motivating.

Pride in Our Teen Tutors

We are incredibly proud of our READ USA teen tutors for showing up prepared, engaged, and ready to grow. They embraced the opportunity and demonstrated the kind of determination and potential that define the next generation of leaders. As one volunteer interviewer shared:

“Thank you for the invitation to a wonderful event! I was very impressed by the quality of the tutors’ preparation and very encouraged by their responses and passion. These young people seem to be very prepared to enter their next phase of endeavors, in no small part because of the work being done at READ USA, and I want to thank each person involved for their efforts!”

Mock Interview Day is more than an event — it’s a critical component of READ USA’s Workforce Development programming, designed to ensure our teens are confident, capable young professionals ready to pursue their goals.

Gratitude to Our Partners & Sponsors

This impactful day was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners, whose investment continues to open doors for our students:

• Presenting Sponsor VyStar Credit Union
• Ampact Early Learning Corps
• Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q
• Clary & Associates
• Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ)
• Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation
• Teach For America
• Ellen & Jim Wiss

We also extend our sincere thanks to our panelists, who shared valuable insights and led meaningful discussions that further enriched the experience for our teens:

• Moderator John Everett, Kids Hope Alliance
• The Honorable Jimmy Peluso, City Council District 7
• Tina Clary, Clary & Associates
• Sandy Gustafson, Baptist Medical Center
• Dr. Tara Haley, FSCJ
• Adam Madrid, City of Jacksonville
• Pat McCollough, City of Jacksonville
• Rev. Dr. Holly Medearis, Brooks Rehabilitation

Looking Ahead

Mock Interview Day is a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around a shared purpose. The energy in the rooms, the connections made, and the confidence built will stay with our teens for years to come.

To our volunteers, sponsors, and partners: THANK YOU for investing your time, your resources, and your belief in our students!

Because of you, the future looks even brighter — and we can’t wait to do it again next year!

More READ USA Book Fairs Coming Up: Join Us!     

READ USA will provide free Book Fairs for students at 16 private schools in Duval County, made possible by federal funding from the Title IV, Part A Student Support & Academic Enrichment program.

The Title IV, Part A Student Support & Academic Enrichment program provides federal funding to enhance local educational quality, with local school districts being responsible for administering those funds for public, private, and charter schools.

For decades, federal programs such as this one have been used to support students with needs no matter the building in which they attend school. For this project, the office of Federal Programs designated these dollars to support students in private schools only. Specifically, the DCPS School Board unanimously approved using these dollars to provide free READ USA Book Fairs at 16 private schools during its April 7 Board meeting.

“We are grateful to DCPS for continuing to partner with us to expand Book Choice & Ownership to even more students across our community who might otherwise not have the opportunity to purchase and own books,” shared our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “Ultimately, part of our mission is about ensuring all students have access to books they can choose and keep, no matter the school they attend, the zip code they live in, or the barriers they may face.”

Volunteers are vital to all READ USA Book Fairs running smoothly and efficiently, so if you would like to join us at any of these schools, you can view the schedule and click the button below:

Thank you to DCPS and the Title IV, Part A program for making these Book Fairs possible!

Meet Our Teachers at Smart Pope Livingston Elementary             

This week, we are proud to feature the amazing teachers who are the powerhouse behind READ USA Literacy Tutoring & Workforce Development at Smart Pope (S.P.) Livingston Elementary School!

#FastFacts about S.P. Livingston Elementary

• • • S.P. Livingston Elementary serves 400+ students. More than 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, highlighting the importance of strong academic and community support. (Public School Review; NCES data)

    • With partners like READ USA, students gain additional access to literacy support and resources that help build confidence, strengthen skills, and create brighter futures.

    • In fact, during the Spring 2025 semester last year, 22 of 24 students made 6+ months of reading growth in only three months of school — all because of READ USA Literacy Tutoring!

At all our Literacy Tutoring sites, our Teachers of Content and Organization work closely with tutors to ensure high-quality instruction, strong student engagement, and consistent progress monitoring. From coaching tutors to managing day-to-day operations, this team plays a critical role in moving students to grade-level reading proficiency.

Meet our Teachers at S.P. Livingston Elementary below and read why they love the work they do at READ USA—and show them some love on social media HERE!

To better understand our teachers’ unique roles, read below:

Teachers of Content are responsible for all literacy content needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring, ensuring seamless delivery of literacy content needs at each school site. Specifically, Teachers of Content coach and annotate tutor next steps and observations, model lesson parts, and provide tutor professional development. Importantly, they also audit and monitor student literacy growth and oversee student assessments, among other responsibilities.

Teachers of Organization oversee all operational needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring. This essential role ensures smooth and efficient program delivery, from managing communications with schools, parents, and READ USA staff to collecting and entering weekly student data. Teachers of Organization also handle student discipline, transportation support, and provide oversight of the READ USA aftercare program.

Aftercare Teachers monitor and provide guidance to elementary students awaiting their Literacy Tutoring sessions each day. They are also responsible for student attendance, supper, and snack tracking, and deliver supplemental literacy programming, such as read-alouds and other literacy-focused activities.

THANK YOU to our incredible teachers at S.P. Livingston Elementary for all you do for our students and teens!

Hundreds of Families Celebrate Stories & Community        

What a wonderful way to celebrate reading!

READ USA was proud to be part of Family Reading Day at the Jacksonville Public Library, a day filled with connection, joy, and a shared love of—you guessed it—books!

At our READ USA table, we had the privilege of giving out nearly 300 English and Spanish books to children and families in attendance, helping build home libraries and spark excitement for reading that extends far beyond the day itself.

Events like these are a powerful reminder that literacy thrives when families and communities come together.

Thank You, Volunteers!

A special thank you to our wonderful volunteers — Jeanette, Bianca, and Shirley — who generously gave their time to run the READ USA table and support the event overall. Your energy, care, and commitment helped make the day meaningful for so many families. We are so grateful for you!

Take a look at the fun below:

From story times to Junior Lit Chats with published children’s book author and artist Oge Mora and others, Family Reading Day was a beautiful celebration of what’s possible when we come together around literacy.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

Thank you to everyone who attended and who volunteered to make the day special!

Children’s Book: Safe Crossing by Kari Percival  

READ USA is continuing to feature the Top 10 Finalists for the 2025-2026 Florida Literacy Association Children’s Book Award in our weekly children’s book review. There were 10 finalists in the Grades K-2 category and 10 for the Grades 3-5 category for a total of 20 books.

To view the full list of finalists, click here.

This Week’s Featured Book: Safe Crossing by Kari Percival

Top 10 Finalist in Grades 3-5 category | Illustrated by Kari Percival  

Some stories are told quietly but leave a powerful echo. Safe Crossing is one of those stories.

Through stunning, layered illustrations and minimal text, Kari Percival tells a deeply moving story of migration, uncertainty, and hope. Readers follow a journey that is both personal and universal, capturing what it means to seek safety and a better future.

The visual storytelling in this book invites readers to pause, observe, and interpret, making it especially powerful for discussion and reflection. Every page holds emotion, encouraging empathy and deeper understanding.

This is a book that stays with you and is a gentle yet profound reminder of resilience, humanity, and hope.