March 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!

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

Online Events

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

H.U.G. Info Session

Monday - Thursday at 11:00 - 12:00 PM, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Zoom line: 947 552 4041

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

Help Us Grow Reading Program

Testimonial Video

Watch a testimonial from Jessica Berry, the Gifted & Talented Teacher at Eminence Independent Schools. Hear her share how the H.U.G. Reading Program has impacted both students and tutors at her school by clicking the video below!

H.U.G. Impact: Expanding Literacy & Workforce Development

H.U.G. Growing Literacy, Workforce, and Community Engagement

Since 2019, H.U.G. has transformed lives through literacy, education, and workforce development, reaching:

699 students supported
642 tutors trained
95 H.U.G. office members
Growing approximately 800 individuals annually

Our impact extends beyond students, reaching:

Seniors – Enhancing digital literacy & lifelong learning

High Schoolers – Providing virtual volunteer hours & college readiness
College Students – Offering workforce development & federal work-study
Corporate & Community Partners – Engaging professionals in mentorship & social impact

Expanding Literacy with Reading Eggs
H.U.G. is scaling Reading Eggs to boost literacy skills, partnering with schools and afterschool programs to provide students with engaging, interactive learning tools both inside and outside the classroom.

Well-Being & Digital Literacy Impact on ALL H.U.G. Members
91.67% improved digital literacy & connectivity
100% would recommend H.U.G. programs
100% reported increased well-being and engagement

H.U.G. isn’t just about reading—it’s about empowering individuals across generations and bridging education, career, and community growth.

H.U.G. Apprenticeships, Workforce Development & Partnerships

H.U.G. is actively bridging education and employment through cost-sharing apprenticeships and Federal Work-Study programs to provide real-world experience.

💼 Federal Work-Study & Apprenticeship Programs

53+ Federal Work-Study Interns gaining hands-on career experience

50% of apprenticeships funded by CUNY, 25% by KY universities

80+ H.U.G. Interns placed in top companies

🎓 University & School Partnerships

H.U.G. has 13 university partners, including:

Stevenson, FAU, Rutgers, USF, CUNY, Spalding, UCF, Arizona State, and more

New K-12 partnerships with Trinity High, Carrollwood Day, Tampa Prep, Cane Run Elementary, and more.

Career Development Success

H.U.G. alumni have launched careers at: Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Dell, Montefiore & more

How can we expand private partnerships to grow FWS funding?

CUNY: 50/50 funding split | KY Universities: 75/25 funding split

With support from corporate donors like Humana, Kroger, Salesforce, Republic Bank, and Dollar General, we are expanding career pathways and driving workforce growth. H.U.G. is shaping the future of education, career development, and digital literacy—one opportunity at a time.

Reading Eggs (Helps Us Grow and Win)

Sign Your Students Up Here!

Join the Reading Eggs (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 or call at +1 (786) 232-3449 or email at

hugandwin@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 11:00 - 12:00 PM, 1:00 - 2:00 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
Social Media 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. Donates Bike to Salve Regina to Launch New Partnership

The Help Us Grow (H.U.G.) Reading Program is excited to kick off a new partnership with Salve Regina University in a meaningful way—by donating a bike to support their community! This donation symbolizes the start of a collaboration focused on literacy, student engagement, and creating opportunities for young learners.

At H.U.G., we believe in fostering strong partnerships that inspire and empower. This donation is just the first step in what we hope will be a lasting relationship dedicated to making a difference in education and beyond. We look forward to working alongside Salve Regina to promote literacy and community impact.

H.U.G. Engages Future Educators at the UK Career Fair!

On February 26, 2025, Carson, Jim, Herb, and Cheryl proudly represented Help Us Grow Reading Program at the University of Kentucky All Majors Career Fair at Gatton Student Center. The event, held from 1:00 – 5:00 PM, provided an incredible opportunity to connect with students eager to explore internships and tutoring opportunities with H.U.G.

We were thrilled to meet so many enthusiastic students interested in gaining hands-on experience while supporting literacy education. Their passion for making a difference was inspiring, and we look forward to seeing new faces join our mission to help students grow and succeed. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about H.U.G.

Salve Regina University & H.U.G. Give Back

A huge shoutout to the incredible Salve Regina University students for coming together with H.U.G. to stuff backpacks for kids in need! Their generosity and teamwork will help provide essential supplies to young learners, ensuring they have the tools to succeed.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making a difference—your support is shaping brighter futures, one backpack at a time! Together, we grow.

H.U.G. to Host Community Meeting in The Villages

The Help Us Grow (H.U.G.) Reading Program is set to host a community meeting at The Villages on March 14, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the Madison Room of Laurel Manor in The Villages, FL. This event aims to bring together local volunteers, community members, and supporters to strengthen efforts in advancing literacy and community engagement.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

Learn more about the H.U.G. program and its impact on students.
Connect with H.U.G. volunteers and staff to share experiences and ideas.
Discover ways to contribute to literacy initiatives within their local communities.
Receive exciting H.U.G. merchandise giveaways as a token of appreciation.

The H.U.G. Reading Program continues to expand its reach, offering valuable literacy support to students while building a strong network of dedicated volunteers. This meeting serves as a chance for community members to get involved and make a difference in the lives of young learners.

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

The H.U.G. Reading Program continues to drive meaningful progress in student achievement! Data from Fall 2024 reveals that 80 out of 101 students demonstrated improvement in their national test scores, reinforcing the effectiveness of our literacy-focused approach.

Additionally, students exceeded expected test score growth, with 80 students surpassing the national average in their assessments. Our top-performing sessions saw 100% improvement rates, highlighting the impact of dedicated tutoring and collaboration with educators.

These achievements reflect the hard work of our tutors, volunteers, and partner schools in fostering a strong foundation for academic success. Together, we are empowering students to reach new heights in literacy and learning!

A Special Thank You to Florida Power & Light and the Community Foundation of Palm Beach!

The Help Us Grow Foundation was honored to be hosted by Florida Power & Light at a special event with the Community Foundation of Palm Beach. This gathering provided a wonderful opportunity to connect, collaborate, and further our mission of expanding literacy support for students.

A heartfelt thank you to Pam Rauch and the team at Florida Power & Light for their generosity and support. Partnerships like these help us grow our impact and continue empowering young readers across Florida!

Expanding Literacy in Florida with Reading Eggs!

Exciting things are happening in Florida as H.U.G. continues to strengthen literacy support for students! We’re expanding the use of Reading Eggs, a dynamic program designed to build reading skills and confidence, across our existing schools while forging new partnerships to extend its impact. By integrating this powerful tool into more classrooms, we are equipping students with the resources they need to succeed in their literacy journey.

Beyond the classroom, we’re thrilled to collaborate with afterschool programs, ensuring students have access to engaging, effective literacy support outside of school hours. These partnerships help reinforce learning, giving children the opportunity to develop stronger reading skills in a fun and interactive way, no matter where they are.

With each new initiative, we’re making waves in literacy education and fostering a love for reading across the state. Stay tuned as we continue to grow, inspire, and make a lasting impact on young readers in Florida!

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: Social Engineering Attacks

Cybercriminals often use sneaky tricks to steal personal information. Here are some of the most common scams and how to spot them:

★ Phishing: Scammers pretend to be trusted organizations (like banks or online stores) to steal your login details.

○ Example: You get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, asking you to click a link and enter your password. Always double-check the sender’s email and avoid clicking suspicious links!

★ Baiting: Hackers lure you in with something tempting—like a free gift or an interesting file—to infect your device.

○ Example: You find a USB drive labeled "Confidential" in a public place. Plugging it in could install malware on your computer. If you don’t know where it came from, don’t use it!

★ Pretexting: Someone makes up a fake story to gain your trust and trick you into giving away private information.

○ Example: A caller claims to be from your company’s IT department, saying they need your login to fix an issue.

★ Tailgating: A scammer follows an employee into a secure area without proper authorization.

○ Example: An intruder follows an employee through a secure door by pretending to have ‘forgotten’ their access card.

Current Events in Cybersecurity:

Major Data Breach at HealthTech Corp Exposes Millions of Patient Records

A recent cyberattack on HealthTech Corp leaked the personal and medical data of over 5 million patients. The breach happened through a phishing email, proving how important it is to recognize scams and stay cautious online. HealthTech Corp is now working with experts to boost its security and prevent future attacks.

Welcoming Rebecca Marcano, Our New Assistant Director of Tutor Training!

The Help Us Grow Foundation, Inc. (H.U.G.) proudly welcomes Rebecca Marcano as our Assistant Director of Tutor Training! With five years of experience in education, Rebecca has worked closely with school administration to support student success. A graduate of the University of South Florida and a dedicated mother of three, she is passionate about literacy and helping students thrive.

Rebecca’s love for learning and firsthand experience with students struggling in reading inspired her to join H.U.G. In her role, she focuses on training tutors, developing resources, and refining instructional strategies to ensure they can make a meaningful impact. She finds the most rewarding part of her work to be seeing students grow in confidence and ability.

Looking ahead, Rebecca envisions H.U.G. expanding nationwide, creating a network of passionate volunteers dedicated to improving literacy. She believes the H.U.G. Reading Program is an invaluable, free resource that provides children with the foundation they need to succeed.

Please join us in welcoming Rebecca to the H.U.G. family—we’re thrilled to have her on board!

We are grateful for our dedicated H.U.G

Reading Mentors

Thank you for your unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions. Here's to continued success as we progress together throughout the year ahead.

Let Your Voice Be Heard: Take the H.U.G. Tutor

Feedback Survey!

We’re eager to hear from you. Click button below to share your thoughts and help us grow stronger together. Your feedback is the key to making our programs even better. Survey powered by SurveyMonkey.

Click Here