On Monday evening, READ USA officially welcomed 56 AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders into service during our 2026–2027 AmeriCorps Induction Ceremony, celebrating the beginning of READ USA’s fourth AmeriCorps cohort and the commitment these young leaders are making to students and our community.
The evening began with a special Color Guard presentation by Westside High School ROTC before our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly welcomed Tutor Leaders, their families and friends, and special guests.
We were especially honored to welcome Josie Tamayo, Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Florida, who addressed our AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders as they prepared to begin their year of service.
“With hard work and determination, you can do anything. Remember to believe in yourself and the mission of serving those in your community,” Tamayo shared with members.
The evening also brought together leaders from across our community to encourage the new cohort. Charlotte Joyce, Duval County Public Schools Board Chair, and Melissa Ross, Director of Strategic Initiatives/Press Liaison, addressed Tutor Leaders, while Chester Spellman, former National Director of AmeriCorps and former CEO of Volunteer Florida, shared more about the history and spirit of AmeriCorps service.
This year’s AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders will serve elementary students through READ USA’s Literacy Tutoring program, helping provide the accelerated literacy support students need to work toward grade-level reading proficiency.
The goals for Cohort 4 are big: READ USA expects members to help serve at least 270 elementary students, with goals of at least 240 students demonstrating improved academic performance and 230 students showing increased school attendance through participation in Literacy Tutoring.
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came during the Member Introductions and Pinning Ceremony, as Tutor Leaders were recognized by their school sites before gathering together to take the AmeriCorps Oath of Service.
Dr. Kelly and Josie Tamayo then led the 2026–2027 cohort in the Oath of Service, officially marking the beginning of their AmeriCorps service.
We are incredibly grateful to AmeriCorps and Volunteer Florida for their continued support of this work and especially honored to have Josie Tamayo join us to welcome Cohort 4. Thank you also to Charlotte Joyce, Melissa Ross and Chester Spellman for sharing their encouragement and expertise with our Tutor Leaders; Westside High School ROTC for opening the evening with the Color Guard presentation; and the families, friends and community supporters who joined us for this special milestone.
Most of all, congratulations to our 2026–2027 READ USA AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders! We are proud to welcome Cohort 4 and can’t wait to see the impact their service will have on students, schools and our Jacksonville community this year.
AmeriCorps Daytime Tutoring Helps Students Accelerate Reading Growth
This spring, READ USA brought additional literacy support directly into the school day through full-time tutors made possible by AmeriCorps and Volunteer Florida.
Students received consistent, small-group reading instruction during the school day—and the results are encouraging.
The Results
Third-grade students receiving AmeriCorps daytime tutoring demonstrated 20% more reading growth than students who did not participate in daytime tutoring.
The difference was even greater in fourth grade.
Fourth-grade students receiving AmeriCorps daytime tutoring demonstrated 80% more reading growth from winter to spring than students who did not participate in daytime tutoring.
These results are especially encouraging because READ USA’s daytime tutoring focuses on students who need additional support to reach grade-level reading expectations.
Through AmeriCorps, students receive more time to read, individualized attention, and consistent small-group instruction—all while continuing to receive their regular classroom instruction.
Growing the Impact
Building on the Spring 2026 results, READ USA is expanding the program for the 2026–27 school year with 12 full-time AmeriCorps Daytime Tutors serving students Monday through Friday in Duval County elementary schools.
This work is possible through the investment of AmeriCorps and Volunteer Florida, helping READ USA provide more intensive literacy support to students who need it most.
More time. More support. More reading growth.
READ USA Joins JWB Cares to Celebrate Eight Families on the Path to Homeownership
Last week our President & CEO Dr. Robert H. Kelly, Jr. recently joined JWB Cares, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and community leaders for the second annual JWB Down Payment Assistance Event, celebrating eight local individuals and families taking an important step toward homeownership.
Dr. Kelly served as emcee for the event, welcoming guests and introducing Mayor Deegan before sharing more about the connection between stable homes, education and greater opportunities for children and teens across Jacksonville.
“This is about more than housing. It is about stability, opportunity, and the future of families. When families have safe, stable homes, children are better able to focus on learning, and teens are better positioned to prepare for their futures.” Shared Dr. Kelly.
READ USA was also proud to play a role in the process leading up to the announcement. JWB residents submitted applications for down-payment assistance, and READ USA volunteers carefully reviewed the submissions and selected 20 to move forward. From there, an independent review committee had the difficult task of selecting the eight final recipients.
This year’s independent review committee included Dr. Rob Kelly, READ USA; Ivy Henderson, Lift Jax; Crystal Owens, Ability Housing; and Dr. PeDro Cohen, LISC.
During the event, the eight recipients were announced to receive $20,000 each in down-payment assistance, an investment in housing stability and generational opportunity for local families.
Dr. Kelly also recognized JWB’s continued commitment to strengthening families and communities and reflected on how that work complements READ USA’s mission.
“We at READ USA are proud to continue standing alongside JWB and Alex Sifakis in this effort to expand opportunity and strengthen our community. Together, through this second annual event, we are creating pathways not only to homeownership, but also to brighter futures for children, teens, and families across Jacksonville.” Dr. Kelly added.
We are grateful to JWB Cares, Alex Sifakis, Mayor Donna Deegan and her team, the independent review committee, and our READ USA volunteers for their roles in making this special celebration possible.
Congratulations to the eight 2026 recipients as they take this exciting step toward homeownership and a stronger future for themselves and their families!
Children’s Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Giving Tree written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein is the story of a young boy who at an early age
This story is also about self-sacrifice. The tree loved the boy so much that it gave up its apples, branches, and trunk so the boy could be happy. As the boy grew older, the tree felt sad because it had given the boy everything and had nothing else to give. So, what is the true lesson here? Is it better to give than receive? Or should giving be reciprocated? Maybe, you can decide after reading this poignant story.
In this parable the tree was happy because it was able to make the boy happy. Another lesson to consider might be when we freely give to someone we care about, the reward is in the gift of giving.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist
Parent Education Corner: Hands on Activities for Practicing the Alphabetic Principle
Children’s knowledge of letter names and shapes is a strong predictor of their success in learning to read. The alphabetic principle is the idea that letters and letter patterns represent the sounds of spoken language. Learning that there are predictable relationships between sounds and letters allows children to apply these relationships to both familiar and unfamiliar words, and to begin to read.
Here are 5 fun activities for practicing beginning word sounds.
From Nemours KidsHealth
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist