As families prepare for a new school year, one question continues to challenge parents everywhere: How do we help children develop a love of reading in a world filled with screens?
READ USA President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly recently joined Melanie Lawson on News4JAX to discuss new research linking increased cellphone use with lower reading comprehension among elementary-aged children and to share practical ways families can help children build strong reading habits. During the segment, Dr. Kelly was joined by Antwanisha, a former READ USA Tutor who now serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member with READ USA. Antwanisha shared how tutoring not only helped strengthen the students who she worked with but also shaped her own personal and professional growth.
While technology continues to play a larger role in children's daily lives, Dr. Kelly emphasized that literacy remains closely connected to lifelong success.
"Literacy is related to major life outcomes. We want kids to be progressing every year in school, and phones can be distracting because instead of reading, kids are watching social media or video clips. It's taking them away from the practice they need to become better readers."
Rather than simply limiting screen time, Dr. Kelly encouraged families to create meaningful opportunities for conversation, play, and reading together.
"Make sure children have opportunities to play with others because conversation increases vocabulary. Then make sure they have books they want to read. The interest piece is really important."
The interview also highlighted the unique role READ USA's teen tutors play in helping elementary students succeed. Beyond reading instruction, tutors provide encouragement, consistency, and positive role models who help students build confidence both in and out of the classroom.
"Accountability just means someone checking in with you. Our tutors are that person for students, and the kids love being with teens."
Antwanisha also reflected on how the experience helped shape her own future.
"I learned more about myself as an individual and professionally. Reading is so essential, and that's why I love READ USA."
As another school year begins, we are actively recruiting the next generation of literacy leaders to serve elementary students across Duval County. Whether you're looking for your first job, hoping to gain valuable workforce experience, or wanting to make a lasting difference in the life of a child, there is an opportunity for you.
Join Team READ USA
READ USA Tutors
AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders
If you're passionate about helping children become stronger, more confident readers while developing your own leadership and professional skills, we'd love to have you join Team READ USA.
Ready to get started? Apply today!
Mission Ready for the New School Year
As students and families across Jacksonville prepare for the start of a new school year, Team READ USA was proud to help make the transition a little brighter by putting free books into the hands of young readers.
On Saturday, we joined Florida Blue's Back-to-School: Mission Ready events at River City and the Florida Blue Center at the St. Johns Town Center, where families gathered for a day of school readiness, community resources, and space-themed fun. Designed to help students begin the school year with confidence, the events connected families with local organizations committed to supporting children's success both inside and outside the classroom.
Children were excited to browse READ USA's book tables, selecting stories that interested them before proudly taking their new books home. Each child had the opportunity to leave with books they could call their own and enjoy throughout the school year.
By helping children build their home libraries before the first day of school, we continue our commitment to ensuring families have access to high-quality books that encourage reading beyond the classroom. Across both Florida Blue events, READ USA distributed close to 1,000 free books, helping even more children begin the school year with stories to inspire learning and imagination.
We are grateful to Florida Blue for inviting us to be part of these wonderful community events and for bringing together organizations dedicated to helping children and families prepare for a successful school year. We also extend our sincere thanks to our volunteers, whose enthusiasm and support helped make the day a memorable experience for every child who visited the READ USA table.
The back-to-school season isn't over yet! Team READ USA is looking forward to joining the Kids Hope Alliance Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, August 8, where we'll once again be sharing free books with children and families as they prepare for another successful school year.
We hope to see you there!
READ USA Tutors Meet the Interns
READ USA tutors recently had the opportunity to represent the organization at the City of Jacksonville's Interns Meet the Mayor event, hosted by the Office of Civic Engagement and Youth Empowerment at the Main Library.
READ USA President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly was invited to bring READ USA tutors to participate alongside interns from organizations across Jacksonville for an afternoon focused on leadership, networking, and career exploration. The event encouraged young professionals to build new connections, engage with community leaders, and explore opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The afternoon began with interactive networking activities, allowing interns to connect with peers from a variety of organizations while learning more about one another's experiences. Participants then heard from Mayor Donna Deegan, who shared her vision for Jacksonville, discussed her goals for strengthening the community, and encouraged interns to embrace opportunities to make a positive impact. Additional speakers, including members of the Mayor's staff and community leaders, offered advice on career development, leadership, and serving others.
Following the presentations, interns continued the conversation over lunch, where guided discussion prompts encouraged participants to exchange ideas, build relationships, and expand their professional networks.
"The networking activities made it easy to meet new people, and hearing from the Mayor and other speakers gave me a different perspective on leadership and future career opportunities."
— Canon, READ USA Tutor
"It was a great opportunity to meet people from different organizations, make new connections, and hear from community leaders about their experiences."
— Brianna, READ USA Tutor
For READ USA's tutors, the event was an opportunity to represent the organization while gaining valuable insight from local leaders and connecting with other young professionals from across Jacksonville. Experiences like these continue to support READ USA's workforce development mission by preparing young people with the confidence, connections, and professional skills they'll carry into their future careers.
READ USA extends its sincere thanks to the City of Jacksonville's Office of Civic Engagement and Youth Empowerment, Mayor Donna Deegan, Pat McCollough, and everyone who helped organize this meaningful event. We are grateful for partners who continue to invest in Jacksonville's next generation of leaders.
Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTAs
Introducing Cherae, Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Associate
READ USA's six full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members are helping strengthen our organization in countless ways, from supporting volunteer engagement and tutor recruitment to expanding community partnerships. This week, we're shining the spotlight on Cherae, our Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Associate.
A Jacksonville native at heart, Cherae describes herself as a people person who finds joy in everyday moments and loves helping others feel heard, supported, and encouraged. After learning more about AmeriCorps VISTA, she realized the program's mission aligned closely with her own values and offered an opportunity to make a meaningful difference through service. As the Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Associate, she recruits new volunteers, supports those already serving, and helps ensure every volunteer feels welcomed, appreciated, and connected to our mission.
"Our volunteers believe in the mission just as much as we do, and so many of them have been dedicated to us since the very beginning."
One of the biggest surprises during Cherae's time at READ USA has been seeing just how deeply our volunteers believe in the mission. She has also enjoyed becoming part of a team that encourages her to bring her full personality to work each day. Looking ahead, she hopes to build a strong, sustainable volunteer network by recruiting dedicated corporate volunteers and creating meaningful experiences that keep volunteers engaged long after their first day of service.
Get to Know Cherae
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Studying: Communications with a minor in Social Interactions
Why READ USA? To combine her passion for community engagement with her experience in operations while helping recruit, support, and celebrate the volunteers who make our mission possible.
Favorite childhood book: Big Dog... Little Dog
Outside of READ USA: Spending time with her godchildren, people-watching, and throwing dance parties in her living room.
Fun fact: As a left-handed person, she'll tell you she'll never be "right!"
We're thankful to have Cherae on Team READ USA and can't wait to see the impact she'll make by growing and strengthening our volunteer community!
Serving with Heart: Teens Help Prepare for a New School Year
As we prepare to welcome students and tutors back for another school year, we were grateful to receive an extra set of helping hands from the Diocese of St. Augustine's Servant Heart Camp.
Over the course of three days, nearly 30 teen volunteers, accompanied by their chaperones, dedicated their time to preparing resources that will support our literacy programs throughout the upcoming school year. They organized our tutoring curriculum room, sorted donated LEGO sets for future literacy and community events, and packed school supplies for our tutoring sites.
While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays an important role in ensuring our tutors and students have the materials they need to begin the school year ready to learn and succeed.
The Diocese of St. Augustine's Servant Heart Camp has become a valued community partner, returning now for the second summer to invest time and energy in projects that strengthen our mission of helping every child become a confident reader and lifelong learner. By choosing service over part of their summer break, these teens demonstrated that meaningful community impact often begins with simple acts of generosity and teamwork.
We sincerely thank the Diocese of St. Augustine, the Servant Heart Camp volunteers, and their chaperones for their generosity, time, and commitment to our mission. We are grateful to have partners like you who continue to invest in the children and families we serve.
Children’s Book: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
The Day you Begin is a touching back to school story that packs a powerful message. It is about finding courage to connect with others, even when you feel scared and alone.
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe
it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's stunning art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway. Woodson explains that the day you truly begin living is the day that you realize that even though you may be different from everyone else, once you find the courage to share your story, the world will create the space for you that you deserve.
Parent Education Corner: Back to School Tips
As summer vacation comes to an end and back-to-school season begins, it can be difficult to get back into a regular schedule – for both children and adults. The trick, of course, is to start planning now. To help you with the transition, here are some back-to-school tips. Read through the list and identify the strategies you think will help your family stay organized and prepared for the start of a new school year.
Mentally prepare for school
Prepare for after-school routines
Devise a plan for homework
Set goals for the school year
With these back-to-school tips – and with you as their calm and collected guide – your child will be better able to begin the school year feeling prepared, excited and ready to get to work!
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist