Literations

Literations Literations pairs highly-trained volunteer literacy coaches (aged 50+) with 1st-4th graders to deliver evidence-based, one-to-one literacy interventions.

Our students significantly improve their reading and social-emotional skills. For over 20 years, we have made a difference in young lives. From the start, our mission has always been to help young students become literacy proficient. We believe children have the most to gain from achieving literacy proficiency by fourth grade, to be confident learners, and equipped for lifelong success. Our interg

enerational model, pairing caring, highly-trained older adult volunteers with young students, is key to achieving our positive outcomes. We are poised to meet the need for increased 1:1 literacy support in the Greater Boston area.

This is why we show up. 🙌A Literations volunteer spent a whole school year with a second grader whose favorite word was ...
06/02/2026

This is why we show up. 🙌

A Literations volunteer spent a whole school year with a second grader whose favorite word was no, especially when it came to reading. Throughout the year she went from refusing to read to picking up a book on her own.

"She read the book without a single error, with fluency and great expression. But mostly she read with enormous pride. I saw the light in her eyes that said ‘I can do this, I can read.’"

That moment took a whole school year to get to. And it made the whole year worthwhile.
As we close out another school year, we're grateful for every volunteer, every student, and every breakthrough, big and small.

At Literations, diversity isn't abstract, it's in the lived reality of our work.Today our team had the privilege of lear...
05/28/2026

At Literations, diversity isn't abstract, it's in the lived reality of our work.

Today our team had the privilege of learning from Carole Copeland Thomas in a session on Creating a Culture of Belonging Across Generations.

Carole guided us through:
- How unconscious assumptions and communication habits affect both older and younger staff
- What "belonging" and psychological safety looks like
- Building trust and consistency in a multigenerational environment

Thank you, Carole, for bringing your wisdom and energy to our team.

Reading proficiency by age 8 is one of the strongest predictors of long-term economic outcomes we have.Children who aren...
05/26/2026

Reading proficiency by age 8 is one of the strongest predictors of long-term economic outcomes we have.

Children who aren't reading at grade level by 3rd grade are significantly more likely to drop out of high school, earn lower wages as adults, and face greater barriers to financial stability. The connection between early literacy and economic mobility isn't theoretical. It's documented, consistent, and largely preventable.

At Literations, we work at exactly this intersection, pairing young readers with skilled literacy coaches during the years when intervention matters most. Because literacy isn't just a school issue. It's a workforce issue. A housing issue. An intergenerational wealth issue.

The earlier we act, the more we can change.



Further Reading:
1. aecf.org | Annie E. Casey Foundation, Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters
2. strivetogether.org | StriveTogether, Why Early Grade Reading Matters, 2026
3. educationscorecard.org | Harvard & Stanford, From Learning Recession to Learning Recovery, May 2026

The moment it clicks. The eyes that light up. The quiet confidence of a kid who just got it.Our coaches are right there ...
05/21/2026

The moment it clicks. The eyes that light up. The quiet confidence of a kid who just got it.

Our coaches are right there for all of it.

There are a lot of ways to support young readers. We chose in-person, every time, because some things can't travel through a screen. The breakthrough. The encouragement. The small victory that changes everything.

We are incredibly honored to share that the Aicardi Early Steps (AES) program – a partnership between Curry College, Boy...
05/19/2026

We are incredibly honored to share that the Aicardi Early Steps (AES) program – a partnership between Curry College, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, and Literations – has been named Volunteer Group of the Year!

This recognition is a testament to the dedication of every volunteer, partner, and supporter who shows up for Boston's youth. A huge thank you to BGCB for this incredible honor and to all three of our partners for making this work possible.

Together, we're making a difference, one young person at a time.

05/12/2026

Recruitment season is here, and we're searching for new literacy coaches to join us for the 2026-2027 school year!

Curious what coaching with Literations is all about? We're hosting information sessions all summer long, kicking off with a virtual session on June 23rd. It's a relaxed way to learn about our work and see if coaching might be the right fit for you.

And here's the best part: no teaching experience required. We provide all the training you'll need to step in confidently and make a real difference in a young reader's life.

Take the first step. Reserve your info session spot here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/234e5ac45611e55b9977e2651e8b1dc0

05/07/2026

Meet Beth McHugh, a Literations literacy coach who shows up week after week to help young readers find their confidence and their voice. Literations focuses on grades 1-4 because being a proficient reader with comprehension skills unlocks every other subject in a child’s academic journey. Beth shows up for her students week after week to help build that foundation. 💛

Tomorrow is the LAST day to donate to our one-week campaign and receive a printable certificate in time for Mother's Day. Honor the teacher, mentor, or special someone who shaped who you are today.

Link to donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/literations?utm_source=Website%20Button&utm_medium=Website

05/06/2026

Meet Estella Mabrey, Literations Program Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, who has been showing up for Literations students for over 13 years. 💛

She's exactly the kind of champion every child deserves.

Celebrate yours! Donate by Friday, May 8th, and receive a personalized printable certificate to honor the teacher, mentor, or special someone who shaped you.

Link to donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/literations?utm_source=Website%20Button&utm_medium=Website

05/05/2026

"The time for talk is over. Now is the time to act."

Our Executive Director, Wes Enicks, made a bold promise to Massachusetts at our Lighting the Spark event last month: "We will not rest until every child in the Commonwealth, who needs support, has access to the solutions that can truly reach them."

This week, we're inviting you to honor someone who believed in you, championed you, and helped you find your way. Make a gift in their honor, and we'll send you a certificate that you can print out and gift on Mother's Day, or share anytime.

👉 Donate by Friday, May 8th: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/literations?utm_source=Website%20Button&utm_medium=Website

Honor someone special this Mother's Day! This week, we're honoring the teachers, champions, and mentors who believed in ...
05/04/2026

Honor someone special this Mother's Day! This week, we're honoring the teachers, champions, and mentors who believed in us when it mattered most.

Who's that person for you?

At Literations, we know every child deserves that kind of champion, and it truly takes a village to make that happen.

We're inviting you to honor someone special. Donate any amount by Friday, May 8th, and we'll send you a beautiful certificate with your honoree's name, perfect to print and gift on Mother's Day.

👉 Donate Here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/literations?utm_source=Website%20Button&utm_medium=Website

Address

70 Franklin Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA
02110

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16174236633

Website

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/literations, https://www.literations.org/volunteer, h

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