A literacy nonprofit based in Atlantic Beach has given away its 1 millionth free book to a Duval County elementary student, capping 15 years of work that includes book fairs at four Beaches-area schools.
READ USA reached the milestone at the sixth annual Historic Eastside Back-to-School Event at Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School in Jacksonville, the Florida Times-Union reported. The event, held in partnership with the city's Kids Hope Alliance, brought families together for free school supplies, health services and community resources.
"This achievement belongs to every teacher, volunteer, donor, community partner, and family who has helped make that opportunity possible," Dr. Robert Kelly, READ USA's president and CEO, said in an Aug. 12 blog post announcing the milestone.
From One Classroom to a Million Books
The organization traces its roots to 2011, when Atlantic Beach resident and volunteer Ellen Wiss began working in teacher Vanessa Tussey's classroom at George Washington Carver Elementary School. Tussey told Wiss her students needed books they could choose and own. It became READ USA's free book fair model, and the organization formally incorporated in 2015.
Today it operates in every Duval County Public Schools elementary school, including Atlantic Beach Elementary, Neptune Beach Elementary, San Pablo Elementary and Seabreeze Elementary. During the 2024-25 school year alone, READ USA book fairs put more than 180,200 free books into students' hands, according to the organization.
Tutoring Program Pairs Teens With Young Readers
READ USA also runs a literacy tutoring program, launched from a 2019 pilot grant through the city's Kids Hope Alliance, that pays teens ages 16 to 21 to provide one-on-one reading instruction at DCPS elementary schools on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. The program has recruited 2,170 tutors and served more than 5,700 students, according to the organization's website.
Beaches Community Fund Grant Supports BEAM Event
The nonprofit received a $15,000 grant from the Beaches Community Fund in June to provide books and literacy activities at the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry's (BEAM) Back-to-School event. That award was part of $368,268 distributed to 22 nonprofits serving residents from Mayport to Guana.
How to Get Involved
READ USA is recruiting tutors for the fall 2026 semester. Applicants must be 16 to 21 years old. AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders commit to the full 2026-27 school year. Details are available at readusainc.com/apply or by calling 904-732-3872.
Upcoming Community Dates
- READ USA "Peace in the Pages" — annual fall celebration of literacy; date to be announced at readusainc.com
- Beaches Farmers Market — Saturdays, Beaches Town Center
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