“If I was to hire someone, I would be looking for someone who’s self-driven, curious, strategic…really looking for people who can talk to others and build relationships and keep those connections going,” was a piece of advice shared last week by Sondra Fetner, Director of Placemaking for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) Board Member, during READ USA’s Workforce Excellence Convening Series event.
She continued, “Maintaining that curiosity will help you in any career you choose; it’s something we can’t lose as humans.”
The first of more Workforce Excellence Convening Series events to come, last week’s event brought together a READ USA teen tutor and professionals from the real estate and development industry to discuss the sector and how work-ready teens can enter the profession.
Sponsored by JWB Real Estate Companies, the event provided the opportunity for READ USA Tutor Jo’Ryah – who aspires to work in the real estate sector – to learn from three real estate and development professionals who shared advice and career reflections. It also provided the opportunity for READ USA to showcase our teen tutors – who are the workforce of tomorrow – and how our Workforce Development and Literacy Tutoring programs are preparing local teens to enter and succeed in the workforce, no matter the career path they choose.
Joining Sondra was Alex Sifakis, Founder and President of JWB Real Estate Companies, and Jim Wiss, Founder and President of Homkor Companies. All three professionals came to the real estate and development industry through different paths, which they highlighted and discussed during the event along with character traits and skills they look for in up-and-coming professionals:
Needless to say, Jo’Ryah, as well as our guests, took away many pearls of wisdom about real estate, development, and teen workforce development!
During the event, our President and CEO Dr. Rob Kelly summarized the event and its purpose perfectly: “READ USA teen tutors are ready to work and prepared to succeed – no matter the career path they choose in their future. However, it took time, coaching, and investment to get our teens work-ready. That is why support, financial and otherwise, for READ USA programming is so important. Investing in READ USA Workforce Development and Literacy Tutoring is a direct investment in the success of teens and elementary students across Duval County.”
We look forward to announcing the details of our next Workforce Excellence Convening Series event, which will take place in August, soon!
Read more about READ USA Workforce Development here.
Dr. Kelly Reflects on Juneteenth and the “Promise of Freedom”
One of the most powerful quotes we often reference at READ USA comes from Frederick Douglass, a writer, orator, and former enslaved individual who became a leading advocate for education and human dignity: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
Frederick Douglass. Image in the public domain from the National Archives Catalog. More details here.
The Smithsonian Institution refers to Juneteenth as our nation’s second Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the people of Texas, marking a pivotal moment on the path to freedom for all Americans. Although full legal emancipation would not be realized until the passage of the 13th Amendment months later, Juneteenth stands as a powerful symbol of progress in our country’s ongoing pursuit of becoming “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
At READ USA, Juneteenth is a moment to reflect on the power of freedom: the freedom to read, to learn, to grow, and to pursue one’s full potential. We believe literacy is the key that unlocks these opportunities. As Frederick Douglass so eloquently affirmed, the ability to read opens the door to lifelong freedom.
Our mission is to ensure every student has access to books that inspire them, evidence-based literacy instruction, and the workforce development support they need to thrive as engaged and productive citizens. Literacy fosters understanding, empowers informed decision-making, and strengthens the fabric of our communities. It enables individuals to fully participate in civic life and to turn aspirations into achievements.
We believe in building bridges around shared goals—literacy, opportunity, and freedom. That belief is at the core of everything we do. Juneteenth reminds us that the promise of freedom belongs to everyone—and by working together, we help fulfill that promise, one reader, one worker, and one American at a time.
Dr. Robert H. Kelly, Jr.
READ USA President & Chief Executive Officer
Tutor Applications are OPEN for Fall Semester!
Calling All Local Teens: If you want to make a positive impact in our community and build workforce skills, apply to be a READ USA tutor!
Parents and Caregivers: Do you know a teen looking for work in the Fall? Send them our way!
Teens and young adults aged 16-25 seeking a learning and earning opportunity are encouraged to apply for the Fall 2025 semester of Literacy Tutoring, which kicks off at 14 elementary schools across Duval County in mid-August.
Tutors in READ USA Literacy Tutoring:
BEFORE APPLYING, please understand these instructions:
AFTER APPLYING, READ USA will review your application and may follow up to schedule an interview and screener. Screeners and interviews will occur in July into August for the 2025-2026 school year. Those accepted will participate in training at the end of July or beginning of August (date options to be provided).
The deadline to apply is Friday, August 1. We look forward to seeing your application!
Questions? Contact Ms. Tabetha Cox, READ USA Chief Programs Officer, at tabetha@readusainc.com.
Looking for a Volunteer Opportunity this Summer? Join Us!
Team READ USA is getting ready for a busy upcoming Fall semester with all of our programming, and August will be here before we know it!
We have some urgent and not-quite-as-urgent needs where our volunteers can be a tremendous help to our team, including:
You can read more details and sign up for each of these opportunities HERE!
We are so grateful for our volunteers’ ongoing support of READ USA and the children, teens, teachers, and families we serve!
For any questions about volunteering, contact Ms. Tabetha Cox, READ USA Chief Programs Officer, at tabetha@readusainc.com.
Children’s Book: Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Jean Fritz’s Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? is a smart and captivating children’s biography that brings one of America’s most famous Founding Fathers to life. First published in 1976, this picture book offers more than just a timeline of events—it paints a lively and layered portrait of John Hancock, blending fact with a playful tone that keeps young readers fully engaged.
Rather than portraying John Hancock as just a patriot or politician, Fritz presents him as a multifaceted figure—ambitious, proud, and at times, humorously vain. Readers follow his journey from being a wealthy Boston merchant to a prominent voice in the American Revolution, culminating in his famously flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence. The book strikes a balance between historical accuracy and humor, making Hancock both relatable and memorable.
Accompanying Jean Fritz’s dynamic poetry are illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. Her expressive, richly detailed drawings breathe life into the 18th-century setting, offering visual insight into the people and places that shaped Hancock’s world. From busy colonial streets to the patriotic halls of history, Hyman’s artwork enhances the reading experience by providing vivid, character-driven scenes that complement the text beautifully.
The illustrations not only capture the mood and style of the period, but also help emphasize the book’s tone: lighthearted, yet respectful of its subject. Hyman’s offerings of Hancock and his fellow revolutionaries are full of charm and personality, reinforcing the book’s appeal to younger audiences while supporting its educational goals.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Summer Reading Motivation
Summer is the perfect time to teach your children that learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom! Preventing the summer slide will require some out-of-the-box thinking, but the effort will be worthwhile when your children start a new school year, ready to keep learning!
Here are a few more ideas to keep children motivated at home with reading during the summer:
Exploring new hobbies helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by keeping learning engaging. Activities such as gardening, photography, music, and science experiments spark curiosity and encourage hands-on learning.
Keeping learning going during the summer is always an important goal!
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!