Mayor Flynn Saw A Need, First Literacy Filled It

Mayor Flynn and Boston Adult Literacy Fund supporters in 1989

Former Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn understood that Boston was, and would always be, a city that welcomes immigrants. To meet the needs of these immigrant families and all Boston residents, Mayor Flynn suggested to then Boston Globe publisher William O. Taylor that an organization be created to serve adults in Boston who needed to improve their literacy and English language skills.

The Boston Adult Literacy Fund is Born

In 1988, Mayor Flynn and Mr. Taylor established the Boston Adult Literacy Fund (now First Literacy) to raise private funds and public awareness to support adult learners and the community-based adult literacy programs that educate them.

Since its founding, First Literacy has helped over 50,000 adults improve their lives and their families’ futures by achieving their educational goals. First Literacy has allocated more than $6 million for adult literacy, provided thousands of hours of free professional development to teachers, and awarded over 500 scholarships to adult learners.

First Literacy continues to shine a bright light on an issue that has a solution and Mayor Flynn’s impact continues to be felt today through First Literacy scholarships, free workshops for educators, and grants for Adult Basic Education organizations.

Learn more about how First Literacy continues to build on Mayor Flynn’s vision of advancing Adult Basic Education in Massachusetts.