Houston Public Library (HPL), the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (MOAL), and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation have teamed up to bring a new resource to adult learners: Lifesaver Literacy Kits. Designed to strengthen both in-person and digital learning, the program equips literacy centers with the tools needed to help adult students build confidence, skills, and long-term academic success.
Each participating literacy center will receive one Teacher Kit and five Student Kits, along with digital licenses to support online learning. The kits feature Brainchild Study Buddy devices, Challenger books, dictionaries, calculators, and other durable materials that can be shared and reused across multiple classes.
“The Lifesaver Literacy Kits are more than supplies, they’re a lifeline for adult learners who want to build confidence and skills,” said Ana Frade, Administrative Supervisor at MOAL.
“These kits reflect HPL’s commitment to meeting learners where they are and removing barriers to education,” said Sandy Gaw, Director of the Houston Public Library. “By combining hands-on tools with digital resources, we’re helping adult students access the support they need to succeed at every stage of their learning journey.”
“This program is a prime example of how collaboration between public and private partners can drive innovation that opens doors for learners across all of Houston,” added Nicholas Sawicki, Executive Director of the Houston Public Library Foundation.
“The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is proud to support this effort. Literacy is power, and these kits will help Houstonians thrive,” said Gloria Bounds, Manager of Community Relations at CenterPoint Energy.
The program will track learner progress through assessments and monthly reports to ensure transparency and measurable outcomes. Feedback surveys will inform improvements and help scale the model to additional literacy centers in the future.