Every child
learns to read.
Welcome to the Philadelphia Literacy Initiative — an intergenerational tutoring and mentoring program that supports early education and enhances literacy skills for pre-kindergarten classrooms and kindergarten through grade three.
The power of positive interactions.
At PLI, we believe in the power of positive interactions and relationships to foster a lifelong love for learning and improve reading proficiency. Through our program, we provide tailored tutoring and mentoring experiences that help students build strong literacy foundations and reach grade-level reading proficiency.
Our dedicated mentors work hand in hand with students, creating a supportive environment that nurtures self-confidence, encourages engagement, and promotes academic success. We are committed to empowering young learners, bridging generational gaps, and impacting their educational journey.
Training
Volunteers receive evidence-based literacy training and coaching across the five critical areas of reading skill development — phonemes, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
Mentoring
Through empathy, trust-building, and consistent encouragement, volunteers foster growth mindset, confidence, and social-emotional resilience alongside literacy.
Tutoring
One-on-one and small-group sessions of 30–45 minutes, two to three days weekly, all school year — the consistency that builds confident readers.
Reading, by grade three.
Mastering reading skills by the end of third grade sets a critical foundation for academic and social-emotional development. As fourth graders transition to reading for learning, those who have achieved this milestone:
- Elevate academic performance across writing, social studies, science, and math, applying reading to tackle challenges.
- Demonstrate proficiency or excellence in benchmark and state standardized assessments.
- Cultivate lasting confidence and bolster self-esteem as they progress.
Enrich learning. Offer literacy support. Unlock the joy of giving back.
Older adults enrich learning by adding value, experience, compassion, and diverse perspectives to young learners. They offer high-quality literacy support — empowering early learners ages 3–5 and elementary students with essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Their experience and guidance can make a lasting impact, shaping a brighter future for the next generation.
Empowering students with vital literacy skills for success.
PLI is a dynamic intergenerational tutoring and mentoring program dedicated to empowering students in pre-kindergarten classrooms and K-3 with vital literacy skills for success. Our unwavering mission is to deliver exceptional, personalized tutoring, mentoring, and classroom support — nurturing a genuine enthusiasm for learning and propelling students toward grade-level reading proficiency.
Our vision: a world in which older adults have the opportunity to contribute to developing a literate nation — and every child learns to read.
Meet our team →Drawing on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Carter G. Woodson.
Drawing on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, whose teachings champion enriching lives and driving positive change, the Philadelphia Literacy Initiative reimagines community engagement and civic duty — harnessing the power of intergenerational collaboration in pre-K classroom support and K-3 literacy tutoring and mentoring programs.
“Join us in creating a brighter future through the transformative power of intergenerational tutoring and mentoring.”