In a city where thirty-five percent of parents are grandparents, Philadelphia holds a powerful, untapped force for education. Grandmas4Literacy,  led by grandmother Toya (Gigi) Algarin, is a groundbreaking pilot is a groundbreaking pilot project that meets grandmothers exactly where they are, in classrooms, senior centers, and community spaces, to address the literacy crisis head-on. By equipping neighborhood grandmothers and older women with professional training and evidence-based strategies, the program is striving to increase grandmother involvement and community participation, working toward making literacy skills available and positive for all children.

The project’s approach is grounded in the research of Nobel Laureate Professor James Heckman. Grandmas4Literacy follows his proven formula: Invest + Develop + Sustain = Gain. By directing resources toward early literacy for children and nurturing soft skills like persistence through intergenerational care, the program provides the daily, consistent support necessary during the critical early school years. This strategic investment aims to produce a more capable, connected and confident generation. 

The grandmothers of this program recognize the importance of literacy and a good education.  They wanted to be a part of the solution knew they had to do it right. They are becoming certified experts. Grandmas4Literacy invests in high-level training,  including certification in the Wilson Reading System and other advanced literacy programs.

At the same time, the program is built on the understanding that honoring a grandmother's lifestyle strengthens participation and impact.  Grandmas4Literacy is bringing training into the spaces where these women already lead – classrooms, community centers, churches, and front porches.  More engaged grandmothers mean greater and sustainable impact.

A signature element of the pilot is the Crochet and Read Program.  Crochet functions as a sophisticated developmental tool that makes learning feel creative and playful. It is a confidence-building engine where children see their progress in real-time. Crocheting strengthens the hand-eye coordination and fine motor control essential for writing, while following a pattern mirrors the sequential processing skills required for reading. For students who struggle with restlessness, the rhythmic nature of crochet provides a grounding effect, allowing them to focus on reading aloud without anxiety. Every finished row is a visual win, building the confidence children need to tackle difficult new words and sentences.

At Henry Houston Elementary, a fourth-grade student named Jordan struggled with severe reading anxiety. Traditional methods were not reaching him, but the unique connection with a grandmother did. Paired with a Grandmas4Literacy mentor, Jordan found focus through crochet. As his hands mastered the stitches, his academic confidence began to soar. As he grew more comfortable with his mentor, he became more comfortable with the page. By the end of the term, Jordan completed his first scarf and jumped two full reading levels, proving that emotional security and a sense of mastery are the foundations of success.

Grandmothers know the value of a good education. They see the need first-hand and are rolling up their sleeves to change the status quo. As they always do, grandmothers are leading the way, tapping into experts, networking across neighborhoods, and creating the resilient communities that allow Philadelphia’s children to thrive.