HUD No. 20-121 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685

For Release Wednesday August 12, 2020

SECRETARY CARSON AND SCOTT TURNER HOLD READING SESSION FOR KIDS AS PART OF SUMMER SERIES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson released a new video as part of his virtual summer reading series, Summer Reading with Secretary Carson. In this most recent episode, Secretary Carson reads a story about a young football player along with Scott Turner, who serves as the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Scott Turner is a former NFL player.

Throughout the summer, Secretary Carson is publishing weekly story time videos for children and parents to view on his Instagram channel. In addition to reading, the series will also highlight several of HUD's initiatives that focus on educational advancement, such as the EnVision Center initiative and Book Rich Environments. Click on the image below to view the video or click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SqtuEg8kNo&feature=youtu.be).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SqtuEg8kNo&feature=youtu.be

"Reading is a fundamental part of learning; it certainly had an important impact on my life," said Secretary Ben Carson. "Through this summer reading series, we're helping kids to cultivate a love for reading, which is a skill that will serve them greatly for the rest of their lives."

"Sports teach kids fundamental life lessons like the power of persistence, perseverance, and teamwork," said Scott Turner, Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. "When coupled with a cultivated passion for reading, which is a fundamental pillar of educational advancement, there's nothing young people can't achieve!"

HUD's Book Rich Environments (BRE) Initiative is a collaboration aimed to transform Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) into book rich environments by providing diverse, high quality books and other literacy tools to children and families living in HUD-assisted housing to improve literacy outcomes and ensure all young people, regardless of background, have the tools they need to reach their full potential.

The effort is made possible by a partnership among the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Education (DoE), PHAs, public libraries and other local and national education partners. Last year, HUD celebrated the distribution of 1,000,000 books to children living in HUD-assisted households or participating in HUD programs.

Secretary Carson launched the EnVision Centers Initiative to form centralized resource hubs in communities across the country that provide people with the educational tools and support needed to excel. The Centers focus on four pillars of growth and success: economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, as well as character and leadership.

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