First Literacy Awarded $10,000 Grant from Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.
BOSTON, MA – First Literacy is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. The grant will support First Literacy’s impactful work to make education accessible by funding innovative projects geared to teaching adults essential literacy skills, awarding scholarships to adult learners continuing to higher education, and providing free evidence-based training and materials for Adult Basic Education teachers.
Spectrum’s Community Impact Committee (CIC) aims to give back to other community-based organizations that provide services to the same people that are treated in Spectrum’s inpatient and outpatient programs. Twice a year, Spectrum awards grants to organizations helping address substance use, mental health, food insecurity, housing, domestic violence and other critical needs within our local communities. To date, Spectrum has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to 169 non-profit organizations since the initiative began.
“Limited literacy skills can create barriers to employment, healthcare, financial stability, and educational advancement,” said Terry Witherell, Executive Director of First Literacy. “This generous grant from Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. will help us expand opportunities for adult learners and support the educators who work every day to ensure literacy is not a barrier to success.”
According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, only 12% of Americans have proficient health literacy skills. First Literacy’s work is essential to eliminating literacy-related barriers for adults throughout Massachusetts.
Through scholarships, free workshops for educators, and innovation grants, First Literacy helps adult learners gain the skills needed to pursue higher education, secure employment, and participate more fully in their communities. Last year, First Literacy reached over 8,000 adult learners and provided free professional development opportunities to more than 200 Adult Basic Education educators across Massachusetts.