Our Programs

Generations Incorporated delivers intergenerational literacy programs to the children of Greater Boston. We are an affiliate of Experience Corps, a national program that engages senior citizens as literacy tutors in public school settings.

Greater Boston’s Host to Experience Corps

We are Greater Boston’s host to Experience Corps, and as such, we are one of the largest and most effective programs in the country. Nearly 350 Experience Corps members currently serve with Generations Incorporated, and in 2009, they provided 75,000 volunteer hours of tutoring to more than 2,000 students.

Why Experience Corps and Why Now?

Problem: Nearly 70% of Boston elementary school students are not proficient in reading (2009 MCAS scores). If children are not proficient by the time they enter the 4th grade, they will have a much higher risk of school failure. Children need to read well and to comprehend in order to learn.

Solution: Utilize the experience of Greater Boston’s fastest-growing populations: baby boomers and retirees. Older adults have the time and the talent, and they seek to be meaningfully engaged in their local communities.

Does Experience Corps Work?

In 2009, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis revealed that Experience Corps produces statistically significant results:

  • Students with Experience Corps tutors make over 60% more progress in sounding out new words and in reading comprehension than non-participating students.
  • This boost in reading skills is equivalent to the boost students would get from being assigned to a classroom with 40% fewer children.
  • The Experience Corps program works for all students, even those farthest behind in reading.
  • Teachers overwhelmingly welcome the program, which is little or no burden to them.
  • And Experience Corps members are stronger, less isolated, have better physical and mental health, and greatly enjoy their service.

Reading Coaches is the structured literacy program used by our Experience Corps members. It supports the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks with a focus on reading comprehension. The program builds on important reading skills while also creating a love of reading and strong intergenerational relationships. All volunteers receive significant pre-service and in-serving training through our program.

  • “Students made more improvement than control students on the passage comprehension measure and on the teacher rating of reading skills … Teachers consider the program to be very beneficial to students …  Also, tutors perceive that their work with students leads to positive change not only in reading but self-confidence and behavior.” – Nancy Morrow-Howell, lead researcher of Washington University’s Experience Corps research project


To learn more about our programs, please call us at 617.423.6633.

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