Hubble Homes is proud to support Saint Alphonsus' Reach Out and Read program! We selected Saint Alphonsus to receive one of our Heart of Hubble grants, and they received a total of $15,000 to support Saint Alphonsus Health System's (SAHS) early literacy initiative. $10,000 was used for the Reach out and Read program, and $5,000 went towards the the Books for Babies program. All in all, Hubble Homes' donation provided over 3,000 books for this worthy cause.
More than one in three American children start kindergarten without the skills required to learn to read. Two-thirds of low-income households have no books at all. In the first six years of life, children learn at their fastest pace. As parents talk, sing, and read to them, existing links among brain cells are strengthened and new links are formed.
Saint Alphonsus Pediatrics Clinic facilitates the Reach Out and Read program, providing age-appropriate books to all children during their routine checkups from six months through five years. Their goal is to positively influence early literacy, brain development, and future confidence and success in Treasure Valley children.
SAHS has implemented a new program this year through Reach Out and Read called, Books for Babies. Books for Babies is a program that provides a literacy kit to mothers with newborns at hospitals. Each kit contains a onesie, a new book, a baby library card, and information for mothers about the importance of reading and talking with their baby. Their goal is to positively influence the social and thinking skills of the Treasure Valley’s littlest residents. Their objective is to implement the program at all SAHS birthing hospitals.
We are humbled to be able to provide Saint Alphonsus with the funds to support programs like this one. If you know of an organization that could benefit from our Heart of Hubble Grant Program please apply here.
