Supporting Early Literacy

Early literacy is so important, especially now. The pandemic is widening resource gaps as families deal with the unanticipated economic and social impacts. The long-term impact will disproportionately affect those already most vulnerable. Millions of children have limited or no access to text. Some of the most critical years of a child’s life are during early childhood; early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and in life.
Research has shown that children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library increased kindergarten readiness by 28.9%, and has been linked to significantly stronger reading skills from kindergarten to 3rd grade, an entire four years after participating.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides age-appropriate books for children birth to age 5.  Each book costs approximately $2.50.  This program is at no cost to the families and is funded by United Way of Junction City/Geary County and local literacy champions.  If you or your business would like to be a local champion, please contact the office at 785-238-2117.  Online donations can be made here.

United Way of Junction City-Geary County, is happy to announce that Astra Bank has agreed to provide funding for the continuation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for the Chapman and Enterprise area for 2023 and 2024.  The grant funding will be for $1,500 each year, with a total of $3,000.

800 children currently enrolled

115 children on the waiting list

$1,000 a month

13,613 books mailed out

1,375 children served

234 children have graduated from the program

Thank you to our Literacy Champions!