What if one investment could help a child become a stronger reader while preparing a teen for a brighter future?
Through READ USA's Sponsor a Tutor campaign, individuals, businesses and community partners have an opportunity to invest in two futures at once—supporting elementary students as they develop critical reading skills while helping young people gain meaningful workforce experience.
Whether sponsoring an After-School Tutor or a School-Day Tutor, 100% of each sponsorship supports READ USA's Literacy Tutoring program, helping provide trained tutors, research-based curriculum, teacher supervision, transportation, workforce development and the resources needed to help students become stronger readers.
But sponsorship is about more than a financial contribution. Sponsors also have opportunities to build personal connections with tutors, visit schools to see Literacy Tutoring in action, receive updates on reading progress and participate in experiences like Mock Interview Day.
Every sponsorship helps strengthen the connection between literacy and workforce readiness, creating opportunities for children and teens across our community.
One tutor. Many children. Futures transformed.
Interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities?
Contact Dr. Robert Kelly, READ USA President & CEO, at rob@readusainc.com
Announcing Our 2026 Peace in the Pages Award Honorees!
READ USA is thrilled to announce our 2026 Peace in the Pages Award Honorees! Please join us in congratulating three outstanding individuals who will be recognized at this year's celebration:
- Stephanie Cost, Former First Lady of Jacksonville University — READ to Lead Award
- Nate Monroe, Executive Editor, The Florida Trib — Mark Landen Memorial Award for Democracy through Journalism
- Dr. Marva McKinney, Principal, Cedar Hills Elementary School — Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award
2025 READ USA Peace in the Pages
Each year, Peace in the Pages brings together community leaders, partners and supporters to celebrate individuals whose leadership, service and commitment help strengthen our community.
We look forward to sharing more about each of our honorees in the coming weeks, leading up to Peace in the Pages on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at The Schultz Center, where we will celebrate their accomplishments and the important role literacy plays in shaping brighter futures for children and teens.
Interested in attending Peace in the Pages? Please contact Sophia Oliveira at sophia@readusainc.com for more information.
We look forward to celebrating our honorees and the many individuals who make our mission possible!
Children’s Book: We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
We are Water Protectors written by Carole Lindstrom is an inspiring non-fiction story that was born out 
of the writer’s conviction to use her voice to help in the outcry against large oil companies affecting the water and land in North Dakota. In the story, the writer employs the persona of a young girl who is taught by her grandmother to protect the water because it is a fundamental resource for the land. The young girl remembers an old Anishinaabe prophecy which predicted that one day the black snake will destroy the water, animals, and the land. The ancestors spoke of the prophecy many years ago and now it is here. In the Ojibwe culture, women are protectors of the water and stewards of the earth.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe organized a peaceful sit-in camp to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) which was destroying their land and sacred burial grounds. The DAPL assured the people in North Dakota that the pipeline would be safe, but before the installation was complete, the pipeline was leaking oil into the ground and water. The story is beautifully illustrated using watercolors which depict the true belief and struggle of the indigenous people.
We Are Water Protectors courageously advocates for indigenous rights and environmental protection. This movement has united indigenous people and supporters globally. It is certainly this kind of story that challenges us to take courage and to fight for humanitarian issues.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist
Parent Education Corner: How to Grow a Reader – Emerging Readers
There is a magical moment when your child starts to show an interest in letters and begins to make out words on a page or in the world itself. This magical moment happens at different ages for different children, even within the same family. An emergent reader is one who is interested in books but can’t yet read them independently or may be able to read some words but requires continued support to make meaning from print. As a child begins to “emerge” as a reader it really can seem like magic – so enjoy this time with your child!
Here are some strategies for supporting your emergent reader:
- Mix it up. When your child starts to pick out words, allow them to read to you some of the time, but reading time should not be strained, exhausting or feel like a test. At first, try pointing to words you know your child will recognize and have him or her read them. When your child knows more words, try reading alternating pages.
- Don’t abruptly withdraw your reading services. Being read to is an enormous comfort and an important part of bonding with your child. Continue reading picture book favorites – and some more sophisticated books they can’t read on their own yet like E.B White’s Charlotte’s Web, The Trumpet of the Swan and Stuart Little.
- Make reading at home beautiful, fun and inspiring. It’s great if you can help support your child while they are learning to read, but your most important job as a parent is to foster a love of reading.
- Stay focused on “raising a reader.” There is no correct age for independent reading and no special formula for getting every child to read by a specific age. If you have focused on raising a reader all along, you can feel confident that your child is taking the steps toward becoming an independent reader, with a love of reading.
From: How to Raise a Reader “nytimes.com/guides/books/how-to-raise-a-reader”
By Pamela Paul and Maria Russo
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist