Curry College, in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB) and Literations, is proud to announce the launch of a transformative early literacy initiative aimed at improving reading outcomes for young children in underserved communities in the City of Boston.  

In collaboration with BGCB and Literations, Aicardi Early Steps will expand and enhance current Literations high-impact, one-on-one literacy tutoring to students in grades 1 through 4 who are reading below grade level. This after-school program is being funded through a generous donation from Curry alumnus Tom Aicardi and his family. “As someone who grew up in a very under-resourced neighborhood in Boston and struggled as a young child in the public school system, having an after-school program like this would have been a game changer for me,” said Aicardi. “My family wants to give every child in these Boston areas a chance to increase their literacy skills so they can excel in life.” 

This partnership comes at a time when statewide data shows that only about half of Massachusetts third graders meet literacy benchmarks, with even more disparities for Black and Hispanic students. The initiative targets these inequities by bringing evidence-based, personalized reading interventions directly to the neighborhoods that need them most—starting with a one-year pilot program at the BGCB locations in South Boston and Blue Hill. 

“Investing in early literacy is one of the most impactful ways we can improve lifelong academic and economic outcomes,” said Giordana Basta, Interim Assistant Provost at Curry College. “We are honored to partner with two of Boston’s most respected youth-serving organizations to ensure more children enter fifth grade as confident, proficient readers.” 

Key Features of the Initiative Include: 

  • Expansion and renovation of Literations models at BGCB sites Edgerley Family South Boston Club and Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club, with a goal of reaching at least 100 new students in the first year.
  • Curry College-led literacy training for all staff and volunteers participating in the new intervention model, grounded in current brain research and best practices. 
  • Enhanced family engagement and literacy resources, improving home support for reading development. 
  • Curry “Purple Pass” experiences to expose young learners to college life and promote long-term educational aspirations. 
  • Collaborative events hosted by the Aicardi family to foster community connections and volunteerism.  

“We’re not just teaching kids to read, we’re equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in school and in life,” said Robert Lewis, Jr., Nicholas President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. “Literacy unlocks imagination, fuels self-worth, and creates the foundation for future success.  This partnership with Curry College and Literations delivers an educational model rooted in equity, excellence, and hope.”

The initiative is powered by research showing that structured, high-frequency tutoring—even in short sessions—can produce significant literacy gains in early elementary students. Through the partnership work with Literations, students also build essential social-emotional skills while improving reading fluency. Literations will direct the one-on-one tutoring component of the Curry College literacy intervention, engaging trained community volunteers to build students confidence and develop essential reading skills. 

“At Literations, we believe that every child, regardless of zip code, deserves the chance to become a confident reader,” said Wes Enicks, Executive Director of Literations. “This partnership with Curry College and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston amplifies our existing evidence-based literacy model in the after-school space, reaching students who too often fall through the cracks. We’re excited to join forces and extend the power of one-on-one, high-dosage tutoring to more communities where the need is greatest.” 

Faculty and students from Curry College’s Department of Education will contribute directly to curriculum development, training, and program evaluation—strengthening the pipeline of future educators and literacy specialists. 

The pilot program will launch in Fall 2025, with plans to scale across more BGCB Club locations in subsequent years.