HUG benefits children and families in the Thew/Escalante community which is the target zone for the Read On Tempe Acceleration Zone Project.

The two primary goals of the HUG program are:

• First: to raise awareness for parents about their role in their child’s education and to empower them in this role by providing them with useful strategies and information on being their child’s partner in education.

• Second: to support this effort by getting books into the hands of children to start or build their own home library.

Components in the first year of funding include guided Storywalks®, on-site storytimes, and a Celebrate Reading Party where children will select 10 books for their home library and parents will receive literacy information and strategies.

✓ Reached 170 preschool families and 75 kindergarten families in Tempe in 2022-2023 school year.  

✓ Each child in the HUG Book Club will received 4 NEW high quality, age-appropriate books throughout the school year.   

 ✓ Each HUG Book Club delivery included a take home literacy activity. This literacy based activity was targeted towards a specific learning outcome the children were learning in class. Literacy education and tips were included as well.  

✓ Books and literacy activities including all materials explored in class with their teacher and then sent home to use with their family.   

✓ All program materials and books are offered in English and Spanish. 

✓ The HUG Book Club also offers “Book fairs” where children to choose their own books for their home library.