First Literacy Awarded Over $72,000 in Funding from the City of Boston Neighborhood Jobs Trust

BOSTON, MA – First Literacy is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $72,421 grant from the Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT). The grant will enable First Literacy, a Boston based non-profit, to continue to offer critical financial and academic support to adult learners living in Boston who are pursuing higher education against significant odds.

Each year, First Literacy awards scholarships to recent graduates of Massachusetts Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English Language Learning (ELL) programs who are continuing to vocational training or higher education. Scholarships in the amount of $1,500 are awarded to assist adult learners in pursuing a certificate or college degree. To help ensure long-term success, each student may apply for up to four years of support—creating a meaningful pathway toward degree completion, employment, and economic mobility. All First Literacy programs, including the Scholarship Program, are open and accessible to adult learners in every Boston neighborhood.

“We are deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, which continues to recognize and uplift the achievements of Boston’s adult learners,” said Terry Witherell, Executive Director at First Literacy. “The grant from the Neighborhood Jobs Trust will have a significant impact on the adult learners we serve, ensuring they have the financial support they need to accomplish their goals.”

NJT funding supports local organizations that provide residents with job training and support services that address the needs of Boston’s workforce, enabling them to enter career pathways and obtain higher-paying jobs.

Research shows that literacy is directly linked to personal income, employment levels, and economic growth. Adults with higher literacy skills are more likely to secure stable employment, earn higher wages, and lift their families out of poverty.

Through a model that combines direct support for adult learners, capacity-building for educators, and funding for program innovation, First Literacy advances workforce development and economic stability while ensuring that literacy initiatives remain relevant, inclusive, and responsive to evolving economic demands.

“Given the rapid changes for employers’ needs, we are fortunate to have First Literacy on the front line to provide student support, academic rigor and competitive workforce skills,” said Trinh Nguyen, Chief of Worker Empowerment, and the Director of the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) for the City of Boston.

The National Center for Education Statistics recently reported that the number of adults in the U.S. who rank at the lowest levels of literacy has risen since 2017, from 19% to 28%. Research also indicates that adults with less than a high school diploma earn three times less than those with higher education. 

 “Literacy skills are the foundation for nearly every workplace competency, from understanding safety protocols to using digital platforms for all areas of work and business,” said Witherell. “By improving literacy, we directly strengthen job readiness, employability, and career advancement opportunities for adults across Greater Boston.”