February Newsletter: Help Us Grow Foundation, Inc.

The Help Us Grow Foundation, Inc. expresses gratitude to the volunteers—unsung heroes of literacy, embodying

BE THE DIFFERENCE™.

- H.U.G. Online Events

- H.U.G. Training and Info Session

- H.U.G. Highlights

- H.U.G. & Win sign up today!

- H.U.G. Tutor Training Opportunities here

- H.U.G. Events

- H.U.G. Testimonial

- H.U.G. Feedback Survey

- H.U.G. Partnership Highlights

- Why we H.U.G.: Resources and Stories

Please follow our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube accounts to stay up to date on all of the good work we're doing!

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Online Events

Training: Monday - Thursday at 11:00 - 12:00 PM; 1:00 - 2:00 PM

H.U.G. Info Session

Monday - Thursday at 10:30 - 11:00 AM, 12:30 - 1:00 PM

Zoom line: 947 552 4041

Why H.U.G. Works!

Check out this Growth in Action!

We’re thrilled to highlight the amazing partnership between Mort Elementary and Carrollwood Day School! Together, they’re achieving amazing results!

🌟 One of H.U.G. students from Mrs. B’s class at Mort Elementary improved by 200 points on the STAR National Test in just one semester! Starting at a Pre-K reading level, this student is now on grade level—a transformation made possible through confidence, connection, and the support of their dedicated H.U.G. reading mentor.

📚 This partnership is proof that with teamwork and dedication, anything is possible!

Let’s keep growing and changing lives, one student at a time.

Visit our website to learn more or get involved.

Join us and

BE THE DIFFERENCE™!

Call to Action: We Need Volunteers!

Do you know of a church group, company volunteer board, or a group of mission-minded folks that are looking to give back? Well, we would love to present our volunteering options to them! Help Us Grow Reading Program is fully virtual, including training, but we do have some in-person opportunities.

Email: Directorvr@hugreading.org

Accelerating Literacy Growth in 2025: Strengthening Impact and Expanding Reach

Since 2017, H.U.G. has been transforming lives through literacy, supporting 782 students across Kentucky, Florida, and Massachusetts. In Fall 2024 alone, 118 students benefited from our program, strengthening their academic skills and confidence. Our dedicated tutors, university partners, and growing team continue to bridge educational gaps, with 84% of students improving digital literacy, 95% recommending the program, and 95% reporting enhanced well-being. With the support of incredible partners and generous donors like Humana, Salesforce, Republic Bank, and Kroger, we are expanding opportunities and making a lasting impact.

As we move into 2025, we remain committed to empowering young readers, fostering future leaders, and growing stronger—one word at a time

H.U.G. & Win

Sign Your Students Up Here!

Join the H.U.G. & Win Program!

Keep your child's reading skills sharp year-round with our H.U.G. & Win Program. By engaging in educational games on ReadingEggs.com, children can earn up to $30 in gift cards while enhancing their literacy skills. It's a fun and rewarding way to prevent reading loss during school breaks.

How to Participate:

Sign Up: Complete our registration form.
Get Credentials: We'll provide your child's ReadingEggs.com login details.
Start Learning: Log in and begin playing educational games to earn points.
Earn Rewards: Accumulate points to receive gift cards.
Join Check-Ins: Attend our virtual Zoom sessions for fun activities, program updates, and a chance to win additional prizes.

For more information, contact us via text at (502) 465-8221 or email at datateam9@hugreading.org

Encourage your child to learn and earn with H.U.G. & Win!

H.U.G. Calendar

H.U.G. Info Session

We will be on Zoom from 10:30 - 11:00 AM, 12:30 - 1:00 PM to meet with YOU!

Please join us for updates, Info session and more!

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9475524041

Meeting ID: 9475524041

Are You a Highschool Senior or College Student Looking For a Rewarding Opportunity?

Join the H.U.G. Reading Program as a Reading Mentor and help young children improve their reading skills—all while earning field, practicum, or service hours!

✨ Why Join?

Just 1 hour a week
Fully virtual—mentor from anywhere
Perfect for individuals or groups
Eligible for #WorkStudy or #FederalWorkStudy programs

Make a positive impact while gaining valuable experience. Scan the QR code or enroll today at H.U.G. Reading website.

Let’s make 2025 a year of growth and empowerment!

Join Our Team – Exciting Internship & Job Opportunities!

H.U.G. is growing, and we're looking for passionate individuals to join our mission! If you're eager to make a difference in education and literacy, check out our available opportunities:

🔹 Internships Available:

Tutor Recruitment Intern
Cyber Security Intern
Volunteer Recruitment Intern
Remote Learning Specialist Intern

🔹 Full-Time Position Available:

Entry-Level Data Analyst (AmeriCorps VISTA)

This is a fantastic chance to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful change in education.

📩 Apply today! Send your resume to directorhr@hugreading.org

Help Us Grow Foundation Events

H.U.G. at the Red Dress Collection: Advocating for Women’s Health & Literacy

Our CEO, Janine Broussard, and Senior VP, Beth Mullins, had the honor of attending the Red Dress Collection 2025 event in New York City, a powerful initiative by the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. This inspiring evening brought together influential women from various industries to raise awareness for heart health and advocate for the well-being of women everywhere.

A special shoutout to Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, for her kindness, leadership, and unwavering dedication to women's health. Janine, standing alongside her, expressed deep admiration for Nancy’s ability to foster collaboration and create meaningful awareness around critical health issues. She hopes to cultivate that same spirit of unity and impact within H.U.G.

Beth Mullins also had a moment of pure excitement, meeting and taking photos with Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard—a dream come true for her! The night was filled with inspiring conversations, dazzling red gowns, and unforgettable moments, including Sharon Stone taking the stage as the event’s MC.

H.U.G. is proud to stand alongside organizations like the American Heart Association, working toward a future where awareness, education, and collaboration empower individuals to live healthier, more informed lives.

Making Strides in Education!

Danielle Blaxton, our Director of Florida, recently attended the unveiling of Community Schools in Hillsborough County—an initiative designed to enhance education through community collaboration.

As a passionate advocate for literacy and community-driven education, Danielle’s presence at this event reinforces H.U.G.'s dedication to empowering students and educators alike. By collaborating with like-minded organizations and supporting innovative programs, we continue to push forward in our mission to enhance student success, close literacy gaps, and create meaningful change in the communities we serve.

Through partnerships like these, we remain committed to ensuring that every child has the tools, support, and encouragement needed to thrive academically and beyond.

H.U.G. Students Show Remarkable Growth in National Test Scores!

The H.U.G. Reading Program continues to make a profound impact on student achievement! Recent data from the 2023-2024 academic year shows that 94.1% of H.U.G. students improved their national test scores, demonstrating the effectiveness of our literacy-focused approach.

Additionally, 60 out of 64 students from partnering schools displayed growth across multiple assessments, reinforcing the power of our collaborative efforts with educators. On average, students saw significant gains across national test score metrics:

📊 MAP: +8.63%

📊 iReady: +8.94%

📊 Star: +9.15%

These results reflect the dedication of our tutors, volunteers, and partner schools in fostering a strong foundation for student success. Together, we are making strides toward a brighter future in literacy and education!

Exciting News from Florida: The H.U.G. Club Launches in The Villages!

We are thrilled to announce the establishment of the H.U.G. Club within The Villages, marking a significant step forward in expanding our volunteer network and community impact. To kick things off, we will be hosting our first official meeting alongside a special "Chat and Chew" event on February 14, 2025.

This gathering will not only celebrate the dedication of our current H.U.G. volunteers but also serve as a warm welcome to new members eager to make a difference. By coming together, we strengthen our collective mission to support literacy, education, and community growth.

We look forward to meaningful conversations, new connections, and continued progress as we work side by side to create lasting change in The Villages and beyond!

A Strong Spring Launch for H.U.G. in Kentucky!

We’re celebrating a successful Spring launch of the H.U.G. Reading Program in Kentucky, where we’ve kicked off nine tutoring sessions across schools, providing essential literacy support to young learners. This expansion marks an exciting milestone as we continue to grow our reach and impact in the region.

We’re also thrilled to announce a new partnership with Trinity High School, where students will be tutoring at Pleasant Grove, earning service hours while making a meaningful difference in the lives of young readers. Their commitment to mentorship and literacy development embodies the spirit of community service, and we’re excited to see the positive impact of this collaboration.

With these new initiatives, we’re strengthening our mission to uplift students and create lifelong readers—one session at a time!

H.U.G. Strengthens Partnership with CUNY – Welcoming More Interns!

The Help Us Grow (H.U.G.) Foundation, Inc. is thrilled to continue our partnership with The City University of New York (CUNY)—a collaboration that has brought us incredible talent and passionate individuals dedicated to literacy and community impact.

Currently, Davis Chen, and Rayanice Campbell are actively contributing to H.U.G., bringing their skills and dedication to our mission of uplifting young readers. Now, we’re excited to welcome two more CUNY interns who have recently applied to join H.U.G. and make a difference!

Our partnership with CUNY continues to grow, and we look forward to welcoming even more students who share our vision of uplifting young readers and fostering educational success. Welcome to the team—we’re excited for what’s ahead!

Staying Ahead of Cyber Threats: Protecting Our Digital Learning Environment

At The Help Us Grow Reading Program, we recognize the critical importance of safeguarding our digital platforms against evolving cyber threats. By understanding the risks and implementing proactive measures, we ensure a secure environment for our students, staff, and volunteers.

Cybersecurity: Password Attacks

★ Brute-Force Attacks: A method of attack that involves trying all possible combinations of usernames and passwords until a correct one is found

○ Password Spraying: A type of brute force attack where an attacker attempts to use the same password on multiple user accounts to gain access.

★ Dictionary: A method hackers use to guess passwords by trying a list of commonly used or pre-defined passwords. These lists, often referred to as “dictionaries,” include words, phrases, or known weak passwords.

○ Example: A hacker uses a precompiled list of common passwords like, “letmein”, “password”, and “123456” to break into an online account.

★ Rainbow Advanced: A rainbow table is a tool hackers use to match encrypted passwords to their original values. This method is effective when passwords are not properly secured.

○ Example: A hacker uses a rainbow table to reverse weakly encrypted passwords, like "12345" or "password."

★ Advanced Persistent Threats: Sophisticated, sustained attacks over an extended period of time with the purpose of accessing unauthorized information undetected.

○ Example: A hacker group spends months infiltrating an organization’s network and slowly collects sensitive information without being detected.

Current Events in Cybersecurity:

Microsoft MFA AuthQuake Flaw Enabled Unlimited Brute-Force Attempts Without Alerts.

Microsoft’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) was able to be bypassed allowing for virtually unlimited brute-forcing attempts without detection. Microsoft has since put a stricter rate limit for failed passwords. This incident has proven the need for proper MFA configuration to ensure reliability.

Welcoming Amy Neal Bundy, Our Assistant Director Kentucky

The Help Us Grow Foundation, Inc. (H.U.G.) proudly welcomes Amy Neal Bundy as our Assistant Director of Kentucky! With a career dedicated to expanding educational access and serving underserved communities, Amy brings a wealth of experience and a passion for improving literacy outcomes. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from the College of Mt. St. Joseph and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky. Amy is also the founder and president of the Bingham Strategy Group, where she collaborates with public and private sectors to develop impactful solutions for educational development.

Amy joined H.U.G. on January 6, inspired by the organization’s mission to improve literacy rates and foster a love for reading. A resolute public servant and educator, she is deeply committed to closing achievement gaps and creating lasting social change. For Amy, this role combines her love for Kentucky, her expertise in education, and her drive to help all children, regardless of their zip code, achieve success.

In her role at H.U.G., Amy oversees daily operations in Kentucky, working to increase awareness and build long-term partnerships that drive meaningful change in literacy. She finds the most rewarding aspect of her work to be the opportunity to foster collaboration and inspire others to join the literacy movement.

Looking ahead, Amy is focused on helping H.U.G. achieve and surpass the strategic objectives outlined in its five-year plan. She envisions the organization continuing to make a significant impact by ensuring children reach grade-level reading milestones, laying the foundation for their long-term academic and personal success.

Amy’s final thoughts reflect her passion and dedication: “Ensuring children can read on grade level is a pivotal milestone that lays the foundation for their long-term success. The Help Us Grow Foundation was recognized as a 2024 Library of Congress Successful Practice Honoree, a testament to our dedication to advancing literacy and inspiring a love of learning across the country

Help Us Grow Reading Program

Testimonial Video

Watch a testimonial from Allen Chen, who was a valued member of our Data and IT Team. Hear him share his dedication to our mission and the impact of his time with us by clicking the video below!

We are grateful for our dedicated H.U.G Tutors. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions. Here's to continued success as we progress together throughout the year ahead.

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Feedback Survey!

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