First Literacy Awarded $10,000 Grant From The Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation

BOSTON, MA – First Literacy is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation. The grant will enable First Literacy to continue its impactful work making education accessible to adult learners throughout Massachusetts who would like to continue on to higher education or vocational training. 

 “Funding from the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation is essential to our scholarship program,” said Terry Witherell, Executive Director. “First Literacy is supporting the largest scholar cohort to date and the $10,000 grant helps us continue to award scholarships to deserving adult learners.”  

First Literacy is the only organization in Massachusetts that awards scholarships to adult students based on nominations from community-based Adult Basic Education programs. Many First Literacy scholars are the first in their family to attend college, some have faced significant trauma, others are dealing with citizenship issues or struggling with financial health.  

“The adult learners who are nominated for First Literacy scholarships are not always comfortable asking for help and often don’t know where to turn if an issue arises,” said Bryan McCormick, First Literacy Program Director. “First Literacy provides hope, opportunity, and support.” 

With the grant, First Literacy plans to increase the number of scholarships awarded as well as the types of support offered to First Literacy scholars.  

Since the Scholarship Program began in 1990, First Literacy has awarded nearly 600 scholarships to adult learners throughout Massachusetts. The program has consistently grown in the number and size of awards, geography covered, and additional support offered to adult students to promote their success.