After reading about the growth and experiences of this year's Summer Leadership Academy participants, you may be wondering how you—or someone you know—can become part of READ USA's mission.
We are currently recruiting teen and young adult tutors to help elementary students build the literacy skills they need to succeed during the 2026–2027 school year. Working one-to-one with students, tutors make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable workforce experience of their own.
As a READ USA tutor or AmeriCorps Tutor Leader, you'll receive comprehensive training and ongoing coaching from certified reading teachers while delivering high-quality, pre-written literacy lessons to elementary students after school at Duval County Public Schools on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3–6 p.m.
Beyond tutoring, participants develop professional skills that prepare them for college, careers, and beyond through opportunities including:
Choose the Opportunity That's Right for You
READ USA Tutor
AmeriCorps Tutor Leader
Whether you're looking to gain professional experience, strengthen your resume, explore future career opportunities, or make a lasting difference in a child's life, becoming a tutor is an opportunity to grow while helping young readers succeed.
Ready to get started? Apply today!
Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTAs
Introducing Sam, AmeriCorps VISTA Tutor Recruitment and Retention Associate
This summer, READ USA was fortunate to welcome ten AmeriCorps Summer Associates who helped lead our Summer Leadership Academy, supporting students throughout six weeks of career exploration, leadership development, and hands-on learning. Their enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment played an important role in making this summer a success, and we are incredibly grateful for the impact each of them made.
READ USA's AmeriCorps Summer Associates supported students throughout this year's Summer Leadership Academy.
While our Summer Associates have completed their service, we're excited to introduce another group of full-time individuals serving with READ USA through AmeriCorps VISTA.
AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program focused on building organizational capacity to fight poverty by strengthening nonprofits and expanding community services. At READ USA, our AmeriCorps VISTAs support literacy and workforce development initiatives by strengthening programs, and creating opportunities that allow us to serve even more children, teens, and families throughout our community.
Over the next several weeks, we'll introduce each of our year-long AmeriCorps VISTAs and the unique experiences they bring to READ USA. First up is Sam, our Tutor Recruitment and Retention Associate.
Growing up in Jacksonville, Sam understands firsthand the impact literacy can have on a young person's future. As someone who struggled with reading in elementary school because English was his second language, READ USA's mission immediately resonated with him.
"The mission and vision really pulled me in. I struggled with reading for a while in elementary school due to English being my second language. I want to help the students that have a hard time with their reading skills."
This fall, Sam will begin studying music production while serving as VISTA Tutor Recruitment and Retention Associate. Throughout his AmeriCorps VISTA service year, he hopes to strengthen his leadership, communication, project management, and community engagement skills while helping READ USA expand its impact and connect more young people with meaningful opportunities to serve.
Get to Know Sam
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Career Goal: To pursue music production full time.
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
"J.K. Rowling created a whole world and it helped my mind open and start thinking of how I can make my imagination come to life."
Outside of READ USA: Typically watching the sunset at the beach while listening to music.
Fun Fact: Sam was a finalist in Jax Idol Season 17/18!
Please join us in welcoming Sam to the READ USA team! We're excited to have him helping recruit, support, and retain the next generation of literacy tutors and AmeriCorps members, and we look forward to introducing more of our dedicated AmeriCorps VISTAs in the weeks ahead.
Looking Back on a Summer of Growth
While Summer Leadership Academy has come to a close, the lessons and relationships built over six weeks continue to shape how our teens view their futures. Through career exploration, leadership development, and workforce development across Jacksonville, students gained more than a glimpse into different professions—they developed confidence, built meaningful connections, and discovered new possibilities for themselves.
As students reflected on their Summer Leadership Academy experience, many shared how the program challenged them to step outside their comfort zones while opening doors to careers, mentors, and opportunities they may not have otherwise encountered.
"The capstone made me feel a sense of confidence and excitement."
“Hearing different perspectives from different people”
"The most valuable part of this program was speaking in front of groups of people, getting out of my comfort zone, and actually realizing what teamwork and leadership means."
For many students, exploring careers alongside professionals from a variety of industries helped them gain a clearer vision for their futures.
"Meeting with healthcare field individuals really made an impact on how I view medicine today. Presenting a capstone made me more comfortable with what I want to do in my life and my goals."
"The most valuable part of this program was getting to know many job opportunities and many new and great things coming to Jacksonville. It also helped me learn more and do more research on my career."
“Getting to see all the things Jacksonville has to offer for its community”
Perhaps the most common reflection centered on the relationships students built throughout the summer. From meeting community leaders to making professional connections, students consistently shared how valuable those experiences were.
"Meeting people and professionals in Jacksonville that I most likely never would have had the chance to meet if I was not a part of the program. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that were presented to me."
"The most valuable part of this program, in my opinion, is the connections we made. I wouldn't have been able to make connections like I did here working some other entry-level job, so I really am thankful to have been a part of this."
These reflections demonstrate what Summer Leadership Academy strives to accomplish each year: helping young people build confidence, discover meaningful career pathways, and develop the skills and relationships that will prepare them for future success. As many of these students return this fall as READ USA literacy tutors, they carry with them not only new knowledge and professional connections, but also a renewed commitment to inspiring the next generation of readers.
READ USA extends our sincere gratitude to our donors, community partners, volunteers, and the many professionals who generously shared their time, experiences, and encouragement throughout Summer Leadership Academy. Thank you for investing in our students and helping them discover what's possible for their futures.
Another Year with Literacy and Service with AmeriCorps
Team READ USA recently joined Volunteer Florida's annual Commission and Foundation meetings, where Commissioners, Foundation members, AmeriCorps partners, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the impact of national service across Florida and look ahead to another year of strengthening communities through service.
Photo courtesy of Volunteer Florida.
This summer has been marked by a growing partnership with Volunteer Florida. Earlier this month, Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo visited our Summer Leadership Academy twice, encouraging students to pursue lives of purpose through her message of "passion, purpose, and perseverance." Her time with students reinforced the importance of leadership, service, and investing in the next generation.
The partnership continues with exciting news for the upcoming school year as we celebrate our continued AmeriCorps funding to support our Literacy Tutoring and Workforce Development Programs. Through this support, AmeriCorps members will serve in seven elementary schools in Duval County during the 2026–2027 school year, each committing 300 hours of service while helping students strengthen their reading skills and preparing themselves for future careers through meaningful service experiences.
Volunteer Florida's ongoing partnership with READ USA reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for children, teens, and young adults across Florida. Together, we are helping students build strong literacy skills while creating pathways for young leaders to develop professionally through national service.
Thank you, Volunteer Florida, AmeriCorps, and CEO Josie Tamayo, for your continued partnership and investment in our mission. We look forward to another school year of empowering children and teens through literacy, leadership, and service.
Children’s Book: A Letter to My Best Friend by Yangsook Choi
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: A Letter to My Best Friend by Yangsook Choi
Top 10 Finalist – 2025–2026 Florida Literacy Association Children’s Book Award (Grades K–2)
What do you do when you miss someone you love? In A Letter to My Best Friend, Yangsook Choi tells a heartfelt story about friendship, distance, and staying connected.
As one child navigates being apart from a best friend, they discover the power of writing to share feelings, memories, and love. Each page gently captures the emotions that come with missing someone—and the comfort of reaching out.
The soft, expressive illustrations pair beautifully with the story, helping readers connect deeply with the characters’ experiences.
This book is a wonderful reminder that even when friends are far away, our words can bring us close again.
Parent Education Corner: Activities to Promote Literacy Growth Grades PK-1st
During the READ USA Bookfairs, every child that attended was given a READ USA Parent Guide with literacy activities and reading support for you to use at home. These resources will be especially beneficial as you support your child’s literacy development during the summer months.
We will be sharing these resources through the Parent Corner this month, in the event you missed receiving your Parent Guide from the READ USA Bookfair. Enjoy these fun and engaging activities with your child this summer.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist