HUD No. 20-103 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685

FOR RELEASE Monday July 13, 2020

SECRETARY BEN CARSON RELEASES NEW SUMMER READING VIDEO FROM ENVISION CENTER
Secretary Carson Reads a Dr. Seuss classic, “The Cat in the Hat”
 

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, from Washington, D.C.’s EnVision Center to children who may be spending the summer at home because of COVID-19. The EnVision Center is located within the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA), which is one of 39 Public Housing Authorities in 22 states across the country supporting the Book Rich Environments initiative as a local partner.

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.

“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.”

“At the D.C. EnVision Center, young people enjoy spending time reading the books we provide through the Book Rich Partnership," said Executive Director of the D.C. Housing Authority Tyrone Garrett. “Virtual story time allows kids in the community to continue to enjoy reading while abiding by health guidelines."

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.