As the Jacksonville Jaguars get ready for their first game of the regular NFL season on Sunday at EverBank Stadium, the Team has already been making the rounds to pump up the energy across the city—and yesterday they brought that and more to the students at John Love Early Learning Center!

At the first Literacy Locker Room of the season, students had the opportunity to select four free books – thanks to the sponsorship support of Gallagher – and participate in a read-aloud with #72 Offensive Lineman Walker Little, Jaxson de Ville, and members of the ROAR of the Jaguars!

Even though it was on a “Monday” morning after a three-day weekend, the Jaguars turned those yawns into screams of joy!

At Literacy Locker Room events, students choose free books to take home and keep, courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation and Jacksonville Jaguars sponsors, including Gallagher and other partners. Yesterday morning, they also received free Jaguars swag bags filled with pencils and other fun goodies – including Jaguars bookmarks for their brand-new books!

Team READ USA is grateful to the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation for their ongoing partnership and support of childhood literacy through READ USA and the Literacy Locker Room events. We are also thankful to Gallagher and its wonderful employees who volunteered, and to the staff at John Love Early Learning Center for so warmly welcoming us. Many thanks as well to Adriel Rocha, Vice President of Community Impact and Football Development, and Michael Carnahan, Jaguars Foundation Community Impact Senior Manager, who make these fantastic events possible.

We have more Literacy Locker Rooms coming up this football season, so stay tuned! THANK YOU to the Jacksonville Jaguars for always making these events a highlight of the year for Team READ USA and the students we serve.

Here’s to the winning football season to come!

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance...”    

Those words by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., resonated deeply with the many guests in attendance at last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Goodwill of North Florida’s new “GoodTrades Center” at its corporate campus on Timuquana Road.

Delivered with passion by The Honorable Dr. Rahman Johnson, City Council Member for District 14, those remarks helped set the stage for the facility tours that followed—giving everyone a first-hand look at how Goodwill of North Florida is playing a key role in our city’s economic growth.

Team READ USA extends our congratulations to Goodwill of North Florida for the official opening of the GoodTrades Center!

During the event, Goodwill of North Florida’s President and CEO David Rey shared how the new facility will help people not only be able to explore possible work paths, but also develop the skills needed to succeed in a variety of skilled-trade careers. Through a partnership with Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the facility will focus on plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, electrical, and welding trades. The facility also includes an experiential plumbing and carpentry training center.

“This is an exciting milestone for our partners at Goodwill of North Florida, and we appreciate the additional opportunities they are bringing to the local workforce!” shared our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “Goodwill has invested heavily in equipping local citizens with the skills they need to thrive in gainful employment. READ USA’s teen tutors are at the beginning of that workforce pipeline. So, our mission complements and contributes to this broader workforce goal, and we are proud and grateful to call Goodwill a partner in our work.”

Congratulations again to the Team at Goodwill of North Florida! You can read more about the new GoodTrades Center here and view photos from the opening ceremony here.

Children’s Book: Good Night Statue of Liberty by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper 

Illustrated by Cooper Kelly

Good Night Statue of Liberty is a wonderful addition to the beloved Good Night Our World series, a collection of board books designed to introduce young readers to significant places. This book offers a child-friendly exploration of the Statue of Liberty, guiding readers through a visual journey that celebrates one of America’s most cherished symbols while fostering an early appreciation for heritage and national landmarks.

The story unfolds with rhythmic, soothing language that flows naturally from page to page, mirroring the transition from morning to evening on Liberty Island. The book introduces young readers to major visual features of the Statue of Liberty—the torch, crown, tablet, and pedestal—while also subtly communicating the ideals the statue represents: liberty, hope, welcome, and democracy. Along the way, it emphasizes curiosity and cultural awareness, capturing the magic of seeing the monument through the eyes of a child.

The narrative’s tone is gentle and positive, aimed at evoking a sense of wonder. Rather than presenting facts in a didactic way, it invites children to observe and connect emotionally with Lady Liberty and her surroundings.

Without overwhelming detail, the book provides a foundational understanding of the Statue of Liberty’s significance. It sparks early interest in American landmarks and values in a developmentally appropriate way.

Cooper Kelly created artwork that is colorful, welcoming, and accessible for young children. The illustrations balance realism with a soft, inviting quality that enhances the story’s soothing mood while capturing the happenings around the harbor.

Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.