Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc.

09/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/14/2026 10:53

Honoring 9/11 Through Service: PBA Volunteers Bring Literacy to Local Children

Menu

Menu

On the 25th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) partnered with the United Way of Palm Beach County to give back to the community by creating literacy kits at the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County.

"Every year on 9/11, we set up a few different projects to make a difference in the community, and we know literacy is so important," said United Way of Palm Beach County Director of Volunteer Engagement Nubia Ortega.

Turning Remembrance Into Action by Inspiring a Love of Reading

Each literacy kit was creatively decorated by a volunteer and packed with puppets, worksheets, and a book that is intended to inspire a love for reading and make story time fun for children and parents alike.

Over 25 volunteers, including PBA students and employees, supported the initiative.

"Thinking about the significance of 9/11, whether you had direct ties to anybody who might have been a victim, I think we saw a world that put our differences aside and came together to do good for others," said Chau. "Whenever you think about the heart of Workship, it's being the hands and feet of Christ in the community, so we can go do good for others."

In addition to honoring the anniversary of 9/11, the goal of the event also promoted reading within the community. According to the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, nearly half of local third graders struggle to read at grade level in Palm Beach County public schools. Plus, around 20% of adults age 16 or older in the county lack basic literacy skills.

The literacy kits will be delivered to Title 1 schools in the county and given individually to pre-K and kindergarten students through the United Way of Palm Beach.

"It gives them a chance to engage in a story while also gaining the skill of being able to learn to read and inspires them," said Chau. "We're creating something that lets us express ourselves through art. Hopefully they might be able to see an artistic side to it too, outside of just reading a book."

PBA Students Use Creativity and Service to Make a Lasting Impact

Sofia Vega, a PBA freshman biology pre-health major and volunteer, enjoyed putting her own artistic touch on the literacy kits and hopes it will inspire children to use their imagination.

"Be creative. When they see the activities in the kit, it will make them want to read more and get more involved than just reading a plain book with no coloring," said Vega.

Workship is PBA's community service program that combines worship and work in response to human needs with Christ-like action in the community and the world. PBA students are required to complete at least 45 hours of Workship every year. Since its launch, students have completed approximately 4.3 million hours of community service across the globe.

PBA Workship's next project will be a meal packing event on September 15, 2026, inside the Kravis Center.

To learn more about PBA's Workship program, click here.

Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc. published this content on September 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 14, 2026 at 16:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]