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 have been linked to significantly stronger reading skills from kindergarten to 3rd grade, an entire four years after participating.
If you would like to enroll your child/ren into the program, click HERE.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides age-appropriate books for children from 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, don't hesitate to get in touch with the office at 785-238-2117. Or, you can download and print our easy sponsorship form and send it to United Way Junction City/Geary County, 139 E. 8th Suite C, Junction City KS 66441.
United Way of Junction City-Geary County provides the funding to cover the cost of the books each month. This has an average monthly cost of $1,000.
- 581 children are currently enrolled
- 2,365 children served
- 33,319 books mailed out
- 564 children have graduated from the program