Did you see us on Saturday?!
Team READ USA had a blast at WJCT’s Be My Neighbor Day this past weekend at WJCT Studios! Our staff and wonderfully enthusiastic volunteers were on-site to give out free books (over 400 of them to eager-to-read kiddos!) and Student Activity Books to our neighbors, who came from across the city to enjoy fun family activities, facepainting, bounce houses, photobooths, and more!
Thank you to WJCT Public Media for inviting our neighbors – including organizations of all types – to join in the fun on Saturday!
Thank you also to our fabulous volunteers who gave their time and energy on Saturday to help out, including Kristina, Jeannie, Megan, Kathy, and Ravandolyn! Your love for children and books was contagious!!
#ICYMI last week: Team READ USA will also be at several other upcoming events this summer where we’ll again be doing one of our most favorite things: giving out free books! Mark your calendars for:
Thursday, June 26: The Bad Guys Library Takeover with River City Readers!
1:00 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Pablo Creek Regional Library (13295 Beach Blvd.)
More information here.
Saturday, August 2: Multiple Back-to-School Events!
BEAM Back-to-School Event & READ USA Book Fair
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Carver Recreation Center (777 5th Ave. South, Jacksonville Beach)
Historic Eastside Back-to-School Event with Kids Hope Alliance and The Church of Oakland
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jacksonville Fairgrounds Expo Center (510 Fairgrounds Place)
Florida Blue’s Back-to-School Event – Two Locations!
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (both locations)
Florida Blue Center at St. Johns Town Center (4855 Town Center Parkway)
Florida Blue Center at River City Marketplace (13249 City Square Dr., Suite 103)
Team READ USA looks forward to seeing you at these upcoming events!
Thank you, Beaches Community Fund!
The Beaches Community Fund recently announced its 2025 grantees, and READ USA is extremely thankful to be one of them!
Children enjoy free books from READ USA during last year’s BEAM Back-to-School event.
As one of 19 grantees, READ USA will use the Beaches Community Fund grant to promote literacy in Jacksonville’s beaches communities. Part of the grant will provide funding for a free book fair for local students during the BEAM (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry) Back-to-School event in August (details above!). With the remaining funds, READ USA will host parent- and teacher-focused literacy workshops at the beaches and provide resources for them to help students improve their reading skills at home and in the classroom. The workshops – which READ USA hosts across the broader community throughout the year – are part of READ USA’s Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Literacy Institute.
“We are so grateful to the Beaches Community Fund committee for selecting READ USA as a grantee again this year!” shared our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “The Beaches Community Fund is investing in what works. This funding will directly impact students, parents, and teachers in the beaches communities, providing book choice to students, offering parent workshops on supporting literacy at home, and teacher professional development on best practices in teaching literacy. So, these dollars offer at least a triple return on investment.”
The Beaches Community Fund is a collective giving initiative of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida that has granted more than $2.5 million since it was established in 2015. Today, the Beaches Community Fund comprises 35 local families who pool their resources to support organizations across all beaches communities, from Mayport to Guana. The initiative focuses on financial, food and housing assistance, support for students and youth, and care for older adults
Thank you to the Beaches Community Fund committee members and the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida for your continued support of literacy at the beaches!
You can read more about the Beaches Community Fund and this year’s grantees here.
School’s Out – and So Are Kids on Bikes!
Summer’s here, and that means kids are out and about on their bicycles enjoying the summer sun and fun!
With more wheels rolling down local pavements during the coming months, it’s important for parents, caregivers, and older siblings to keep bike safety top-of-mind for their younger loved ones.
READ USA has compiled a list of bike safety tips and resources from local institutions for you to share and keep in mind:
- Wear a helmet—every ride, every time
- Ride in the same direction as traffic
- Use lights and reflectors, especially during early morning and during and after sunset
- Stay off your phone and keep your eyes up
- Check your bike before you ride
Bike Safety resource links:
- DCPS Bike Safety Tips
- FDOT: Alert Tonight, Alive Tomorrow
- City of Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Beach
- Atlantic Beach
At READ USA, we don’t just build literacy and workforce skills, we build leaders! And leadership starts with smart choices and safety for yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
Stay safe (and cool!) this summer!
Children’s Book: Proud to Be an American by Lee Greenwood
Illustrated by Amanda Sekulow
Proud to Be an American follows a grandfather and his grandson on a journey across the United States, traveling to various national landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery. Each page pairs a line from Lee Greenwood’s song, “God Bless the USA,” with corresponding illustrations, showing scenes of American landscapes, soldiers, and patriotic symbols. This format not only introduces children to the song’s lyrics but also helps them connect with the concepts of freedom, sacrifice, and national pride.
Amanda Sekulow’s illustrations are rich in color and detail, capturing the essence of American landscapes and the spirit of patriotism. The artwork complements the song’s message, depicting scenes that range from quiet countryside settings to solemn memorials, reinforcing the themes of unity and respect for the nation’s history.
This book is an excellent resource for teaching about American history, national landmarks, and the values that define the United States of America. The inclusion of the song’s lyrics and the free music download also makes it a great choice for family reading sessions and patriotic celebrations.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Summer Reading Activities
Everyday activities are filled with learning opportunities!
During the summer, activities such as spending more time outdoors, free programs offered by libraries and parks, summer camps, and vacations provide great starting points for schoolwork – that doesn’t feel like work!
Remember, you don’t have to come up with ideas alone; involve your kids and other parents, when possible. Your children will be more excited about learning through the summer months if the activities center on their interests, including new things they’d like to try. Here are a few ideas to try as well:
Park Activities:
- Look for and identify different leaves, trees, rocks, insects, clouds, wildflowers, and weeds.
- Listen for birds using a free app like Merlin to identify the types of birds and how they look.
- Go on a free, planned walk; stargaze; or explore butterflies, lakes, or creeks with a guide.
- Sign up for other free programs that capture their interest.
- Research the parks you visit and how they were founded.
At the Library:
- Ask about various clubs, programs, and reading options offered.
- Choose something new to read, like comic books, magazines, cookbooks, or music recordings.
- Visit the library’s exhibits and special events.
- Sign up for summer reading challenges.
- Research a person, place, or event in history.
Before going on a trip or vacation:
- Research the trip destination and learn about the history and interesting or fun facts.
- Let the children keep track of the miles, fuel use, and costs.
- Create a photo album of experiences and add memory tidbits to each photo.
- Write and send postcards.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!