Literacy Program Specialist

WHO WE ARE

West End House (WEH) is a vibrant community anchor and youth development organization rooted in Boston’s Allston neighborhood and serving young people citywide. Since 1906, we have empowered youth to succeed academically and in life—providing high-impact programs that foster learning, creativity, wellness, leadership, and economic mobility.

Our 46,000-square-foot facility offers a safe and dynamic space where young people build lasting relationships, explore their strengths, and chart their own paths to success. Programming spans seven interconnected focus areas—from academics and mental health to food security and the arts—designed to help youth thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

With a trauma-informed approach, a deep commitment to equity, and strong community partnerships, West End House continues to evolve to meet the needs of Boston’s youth and families—ensuring every young person has the opportunity, support, and confidence to lead, create, and thrive.

We are committed to advancing racial equity through our work and throughout all aspects of our organization‑our youth programs, our community and family engagement, and our board and leadership. Our employees reflect and build upon our values—opportunity for all, youth first, joy, equity, and community.

We know that educational growth is vital to creating pathways that set young people up for long-term success. By providing youth with the academic tools, guidance, and support they need to thrive in school and beyond, West End House helps young people grow in a holistic, well-rounded way. A key driver of academic success is literacy—an essential building block that strengthens learning across all subject areas and provides a critical foundation for future achievement.

West End House literacy programs are designed to build strong literacy skills and confidence while fostering a genuine joy of reading. Our signature literacy program, Reading Buddies, pairs elementary-aged youth who need the most reading support with trained volunteers for targeted, research-based reading practice and literacy games. West End House intentionally prioritizes youth who are reading below grade level and would benefit most from individualized support.

Other literacy-focused programs compliment reading buddies for elementary and early middle school youth and strengthen reading, writing, and communication skills. In recent summers, we have partnered with local schools to improve literacy outcomes for 2nd–4th grade students through targeted interventions embedded in our Summer Learning Adventures program.

Literacy Program Specialist is responsible for planning, implementing, and coordinating all components of West End House’s literacy programming for club members ages 7–12. This role plays a critical part in ensuring high-quality program delivery, strong volunteer engagement, and meaningful literacy growth for participating youth.
If you’re passionate about empowering young readers and creating joyful, high-impact literacy experiences in a community setting, this role is for you.

• Student Reading Growth: Identify and recruit 7–12-year-olds, with a focus on students reading below grade level, and match them with volunteers to support reading growth through the Reading Buddies program.
• Volunteer Training & Support: Train, support, and provide ongoing feedback to Reading Buddies volunteers; guide volunteer–student interactions and ensure effective use of the Book Nook platform.
• Family Partnership & Communication: Partner with caregivers through regular communication about program content, schedules, and student progress, and build strong relationships to inform program design and support individual needs.
• Program Operations, Data & Platform Management: Oversee daily program logistics; manage and evaluate the Book Nook platform for impact and ease of use; analyze data, ensure grant alignment, and support continuous improvement.
• Additional Literacy Program Development: Create and implement at least one targeted literacy program each season, such as reading incentive initiatives, book clubs, or other engaging activities…