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Together, We can Help Improve K-4th Graders' Reading Skills 

BE THE DIFFERENCE ™ Today

Our Mission

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The Help Us Grow, Foundation, Inc. (H.U.G.) strives to promote social equality and education for all students allowing them to achieve grade level reading by completion of fourth grade.

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H.U.G. incorporates character development and confidence building components to help struggling readers become confident grade level readers, thus improving their life's trajectory.

Our Vision

To grow students into confident, resilient, successful, adults with good social skills and the ability to learn independently. Thereby:

  • Raising the U.S. national 4th-grade average reading level

  • Enabling students to BE THE DIFFERENCE™ to themselves, their family, and their community

  • Enhancing the employable workforce in the community through education

  • Reducing the pipeline to prison

 

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Mentor with H.U.G.

Join us as we encourage young minds to discover the joys of reading. With flexible, online mentorship, it's easy to make a difference from home.

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Hands Raised

Become a H.U.G. School

Register your school for the H.U.G. reading program to ensure that students receive tailored support to enhance their literacy skills. 

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Holding Hands

Donate

Donations to H.U.G. directly impacts students' literacy development, providing them with the resources and support needed to excel in reading. 

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Stay Updated on All Things H.U.G.!

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Thank You to Our Major Donors and Supporters!

Building an Impactful Community

805

Students
Helped

716

Volunteer Mentors

3.56

Words Learned per Session

Student Test Score Improvements

Student Performance Compared to National Benchmarks

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Based on Fall 2024 data

  • 82.3% of students showed improvement in reading fluency

  • 24.2% demonstrating above-average growth

Student Test Score Growth Across H.U.G. Sessions

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Based on Fall 2024 data

  • 82.3% of students improved

  • 3 sessions showed 100% improvement in test scores after involvement in H.U.G.​

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Supporting Our Students

Evidence-Based Model Creates More Resilient Students

H.U.G. uses curriculum with 30 years of research from the University of North Carolina that is used nationwide for reading intervention. 

1:1 Student-to-Mentor Ratio Builds Skills and Character

Our H.U.G. reading mentors help directly address this highly documented need faced by today's educators & future workforce.

Students and Mentors Both Reap Positive Benefits

Students show increased engagement and positive behavior, while reading mentors feel honored and valued to share their wisdom.

Help us Be the Difference in a Student's Life Today!

Your support can open doors for young readers. Whether you become a reading mentor, share your expertise as a guest speaker or workshop host, or make a donation, you’re helping create brighter futures through literacy. Every act of support, big or small, makes a real difference. Join us in empowering children to learn, grow, and thrive.

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Grow Your Career

Join our team and help make a real difference. By applying as a member of our staff or as an intern, you’ll play an important role in expanding literacy, supporting communities, and empowering learners nationwide. View our available positions where you can apply your talent by clicking the button below. Come grow with us and help create meaningful change!

Our Other Offered Services

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Digital Navigators

Our Digital Navigators service helps adults and seniors feel confident with technology through simple, friendly support. And once you’ve built those skills, we invite you to become a mentor in the H.U.G. Reading Program, using what you’ve learned to inspire children and strengthen our community.

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H.U.G. & Win

We’ve partnered with ReadingEggs.com to make learning fun. Your child can play educational games, earn rewards, and even win up to $30 in gift cards to Kroger, Dollar General, Amazon, or Publix. The more they learn, the more they can earn!

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H.U.G. at Home

Every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader. With H.U.G. at Home, families whose schools don’t offer H.U.G. can access personalized, virtual reading sessions built around flexible scheduling and focused support. Give your child the tools to thrive and sign up today!

Loved by Students, Volunteers, and School Administrators Alike!

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"The individualized program meets the needs of some of our most striving learners while also integrating social-emotional skills needed to achieve more and become productive citizens. Our students always look forward to the tutoring sessions and have grown over the last several years."

Ashley Byerley,
Instructional Coach at Old Mills Elementary

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"What I like about H.U.G. is I used to be kind of a bad reader and, once I joined this [the H.U.G. Reading Program], I got better at reading. I like reading now."

Rylen W., 
Student at JB Atkinson Elementary

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"The weekly reading development and word understanding of H.U.G. students is amazing! Being a H.U.G. volunteer for 3 years has been an exceptionally rewarding experience for me and I would highly recommend getting involved and 'Making a Difference' for these wonderful children."

Brad Maudlin,
Kroger Division Manager in Retail Operations 

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