U.S. Attorney’s Office Promotes Literacy by Reading to At-Risk South Florida Students

February 15, 2023 - In some happy news, Miami’s U.S. Attorney’s Office is inspiring young minds in South Florida by organizing weekly readings for pre-kindergarten students in at-risk schools. The Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section holds these readings with a goal to build a solid educational foundation by instilling a love for reading.

These events are held at schools located in book deserts, which are areas where access to certain resources, such as books, is limited. Research suggests that if children don’t read at grade level by the end of fourth grade, they begin to fall behind academically, putting them at risk of dropping out of school.

To combat this, the U.S. Attorney’s Office staff visits schools and reads books primarily about animals to get the kids excited. In between books, they play a quick game with the children, ensuring that their young minds stay engaged. The sessions inspire children to choose books during playtime and spark a curiosity about reading.

One of the pre-kindergarten teachers at Robert Ingram Elementary School in Opa-locka, Adriana Ruiz, says that Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney’s visits have a tremendous impact on the children. McKinney’s readings motivate them to read more and build their vocabularies.

“We’ve been doing these readings for at least six years,” says Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section Chief J.D. Smith. “If children get access to books and develop a love of reading at an early age, it will help their odds of success in the future.”

If you would like to donate children’s books, you can email the U.S. Attorney’s Office staff at usafls.vrp@usdoj.gov or call (305) 961-9134. Help make a difference in the lives of South Florida children today.

Read the Justice.gov press release here