This week, we are excited to celebrate Stephanie Cost, former First Lady of Jacksonville University, as the 2026 READ to Lead Award Honoree!
A dedicated community leader, passionate advocate for education, and longtime supporter of Jacksonville's nonprofit community, Stephanie has spent years creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and succeed. READ USA is honored to recognize her outstanding leadership, generosity, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
For 14 years, until her retirement in summer 2026, Stephanie served as First Lady of Jacksonville University, where she championed students, enriched campus life, and strengthened the University's connections throughout the Jacksonville community.
One of her proudest professional achievements was establishing the Cost Honors College, creating a place where high-achieving and high-potential students can explore new opportunities, pursue their passions, and thrive. Stephanie continues to serve as Chair of the College's Executive Council, remaining actively involved in supporting students and their educational journeys.
Her dedication to Jacksonville University also extends through her involvement on advisory boards for the Linda Berry Stein College of Arts and Sciences and the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. She continues to engage with students and staff, sharing valuable insights on professional development and the skills needed to succeed beyond the classroom.
Beyond her work in higher education, Stephanie's commitment to service has touched organizations and communities throughout Jacksonville.
A Legacy member of the Women's Giving Alliance and graduate of Leadership Jacksonville's Class of 2015, Stephanie has supported numerous organizations, including READ USA, the Jacksonville Symphony, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, City Year, and Volunteers in Medicine.
She also recently completed more than a decade of service on the Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville board of directors, further reflecting her longstanding dedication to supporting individuals and families in our community.
Before making Jacksonville home, Stephanie built a successful career that included positions with several FORTUNE 500 companies and founding her own interior decorating business. While living in the Philadelphia area, she also founded and chaired a women's philanthropic group that raised funds for local nonprofit organizations.
Stephanie graduated summa cum laude from Immaculata University in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Outside her many professional and community commitments, Stephanie enjoys spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, as well as reading, watercolor painting, photography, golf, and travel.
Through her leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to service, Stephanie has demonstrated the lasting difference one person can make by investing in people and creating opportunities for others.
Congratulations to Stephanie Cost on being named the 2026 READ to Lead Award Honoree! Team READ USA is incredibly grateful for her dedication to education, her support of our mission, and the meaningful impact she continues to make throughout Jacksonville!
We look forward to celebrating Stephanie at Peace in the Pages on Friday, November 6, 2026, at The Schultz Center!
READ USA Visits the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville!
Team READ USA had the pleasure of going out to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville, one of our longtime donors, and sharing more about our Literacy Tutoring Program!
We are honored to be selected as this month’s recipient of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville's community collection. Representing READ USA was Tabetha, our Chief Program Officer, who was joined by her daughter, Julie, a former READ USA teen tutor and AmeriCorps member whose journey with the organization spanned seven years.
During the service, Tabetha reflected on her own literacy journey as a child and how her understanding of the importance of reading deepened when she became a mother.
She shared how those experiences shaped her appreciation for early literacy and the opportunities that strong reading skills can create for children.
Tabetha then introduced READ USA's Literacy Tutoring program, highlighting how teen tutors work alongside elementary students to strengthen reading skills, build confidence, and help young readers succeed.
But the impact of tutoring doesn't stop with the children receiving support.
Julie shared her own experience as a READ USA tutor, reflecting on how the program helped her grow in her own literacy journey while forming meaningful connections with the students she tutored.
Her story offered a personal look at the relationships that develop through tutoring and how the experience can leave a lasting impression on both the tutor and the student.
The visit was especially meaningful because of READ USA's connection with Peter Racine, Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville, who was recognized as our 2025 READ to Lead Award Honoree at last year's Peace in the Pages celebration.
His continued connection with READ USA reflects the importance of community leaders who recognize the power of literacy and help champion opportunities for children and teens.
A heartfelt thank you to Peter Racine and the entire Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville congregation for welcoming Tabetha and Julie, selecting READ USA as the recipient of your community collection this month, and supporting our mission to help children and teens become confident readers and lifelong learners.
We are grateful for community partners who believe in the power of literacy to transform lives across generations! 💙
Fall Fun Meets a Love of Reading at Fall-A-Day!
Books, smiles, and fall festivities brought Jacksonville families together for a fun-filled celebration at Fall-A-Day Family Fun Day!
Our READ USA AmeriCorps members joined fellow community organizations at Eartha's Farm & Market for this special event organized by the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, connecting with families, sharing free children's books and literacy resources, and spreading the joy of reading!
The community celebration was a day filled with activities, family-friendly entertainment, and opportunities to connect with valuable community resources. From arts and crafts and trick-or-treating to a petting zoo, pumpkins, and a special appearance by Elmo from Sesame Street, the event offered something for the whole family!
Throughout the event, our AmeriCorps members welcomed children and families to the READ USA table, distributing free books for young readers to take home and enjoy while sharing resources to help families support literacy beyond the classroom.
They also had the opportunity to introduce parents and caregivers to READ USA's programs and share how our work helps children strengthen their reading skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Events like Fall-A-Day remind us that building a community of readers extends beyond the classroom. By bringing books and literacy resources directly to families, we can encourage reading at home and help children discover the joy and possibilities that come with every new book.
A special thank you to the Early Learning Coalition of Duval for organizing this wonderful community celebration! We are grateful for opportunities that bring families, community partners, and valuable resources together.
And a big thank you to our dedicated AmeriCorps members for representing READ USA and helping spread the love of literacy throughout Jacksonville!
Children’s Book: Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe
What would you do if you moved into a new home and discovered that a ghost was already living there? 
In Matthew Forsythe’s Aggie and the Ghost, Aggie has a plan: make some rules. No stolen socks, no
disappearing food, and absolutely no haunting after dark! Unfortunately, her mischievous roommate has other ideas. When the two challenge each other to a game of tic-tac-toe, their competition takes an unexpectedly funny turn.
Forsythe’s expressive illustrations make every disagreement and surprise a delight to follow. Beneath the playful haunting is a story about sharing space, setting boundaries, and discovering that friendship does not always look the way we expect.
With its gentle spookiness and clever humor, Aggie and the Ghost is a wonderful read-aloud for children who love unusual characters and stories that keep them guessing.
Parent Education Corner: Helping Children Navigate Big Feelings Through Books
Children experience big feelings—excitement, jealousy, disappointment, worry, and joy—but finding the words to explain those feelings can be difficult. Stories give families a comfortable way to talk about emotions through the experiences of characters.
The next time you read a story together, try these conversation starters:
- “How do you think this character feels right now? What makes you think that?”
- “Has something like that ever happened to you?”
- “What could the character say or do next?”
- “Did the character’s feelings change by the end?”
You can also invite your child to draw a scene, act out a kind response, or invent a different ending. Remember that children may interpret a character differently than you do. Ask them to explain their ideas rather than searching for one correct answer.