United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) has been awarded $5,000 in support of its literacy program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, from RRCU. These funds will help to renew the program across Caddo Parish and sponsor approximately 100 children in the region.
According to the Louisiana Department of Education, nearly 60 percent of children in Northwest Louisiana enter kindergarten without the tools needed to be successful in school and later in life. As the largest provider in the state, UWNWLA enables the Imagination Library to send books to children from birth to age five at no cost to families. Children can be enrolled in the program at birth and own a library of up to 60 books by the time they enter kindergarten, ensuring they have the proper tools for school readiness.
“We are excited to launch the RRCU Gives Foundation with this initial round of grant funding,” said Patricia Cunningham, Director of the RRCU Gives Foundation. “Our mission is to support organizations that are making meaningful contributions to their communities, and we believe that investing in housing, hunger relief, and education is crucial to building a stronger, healthier future for everyone.”
The Imagination Library provides access to books for children in families identified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ALICE represents the growing number of individuals and families who work hard but are still unable to afford their essential needs. The children of ALICE are especially affected when it comes to the lack of books in their homes because books are often viewed as a luxury when other family necessities are going unmet.
“We are so grateful to RRCU for helping us ignite the love of reading in young minds through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” said Director of Community Impact, Raavin Evans. “Their support is helping turn pages into possibilities and is planting the seeds of imagination, learning, and a lifelong love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere.”
Since the program’s inception in 2012, UWNWLA has mailed more than 416,772 books across the region. In addition, the organization has started enrolling underserved pre-K classrooms in Caddo Parish to provide children with more access to books.
To learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, become a sponsor, or register your child, please visit https://unitedwaynwla.org/our-focus/education/dolly-partons-imagination-library/ .