Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library building literacy

Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton

SIX NATIONS – A group of Six Nations residents are pursuing community and financial support to get the Dolly Parton Imagination Library started for all of those born in 2014 at Six Nations. The program was established by country singer Dolly Parton in 1996. Holly Frank, chairperson of the Six Nations Imagination Steering Committee stated, “Reading to your baby is the foundation of language and learning. It also builds a strong bond between parent and child. It is a simple idea but the effects are deep and it provides long-term benefits for the person and the community.”

The Imagination Library provides an opportunity for children to receive quality, age appropriate books in the mail once a month for free, from birth to age five. If a baby is registered at birth they will have received a library of 60 books when they reach their fifth birthday. In 2009, the program was started in Brant by the Kids Can Fly program in partnership with the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise. “We see the impact on the children in Brant and the positive responses from their parents and teachers and want to offer this program to our children too” said Frank.

“We want to work with existing programs and agencies on and off Six Nations. Sharon Brooks of Kids Can Fly and Gene Smitiuch of the Brantford Public Library have shown support. David Dotson, President of the Dollywood Foundation is also in full support. We have been in contact with agencies on Six Nations. Our group currently consists of myself, Misty Ladd, Connie Van Every, Charlotte Maracle, and Abby Powless. We are currently seeking out other community members to make the program community driven.”

There are currently 10,000 Canadian children per month registered for the program. This is compared to 700,000 children per month in the USA and 26,000 in the United Kingdom, Considerable success has been achieved in First Nations communities, particularly in British Columbia and Manitoba. A provincial wide effort in Manitoba has secured funding to provide the Imagination Library to every First Nation child under 5 on reserve. These children are currently being enrolled and ultimately 7,000 children in Manitoba will be participating in the program.

The group is seeking 50% of the costs to be provided from the Six Nations Elected Council, which will be $19,500 to cover the cost for the first 3 years. The other 50% of funding would come from monies raised from local businesses, foundations or other grants amounting to $19,500.

Many studies have shown children who enter kindergarten unprepared will read below grade level when they reach the third grade, are less likely to graduate from high school and are more likely to have substance abuse problems and struggle financially. The cost of dealing with these aforementioned problems is far greater than the investment required to bring more children to school ready to learn. Those interested in supporting this effort financially or in joining the group are encouraged to call Holly Frank at 226-920-5267.

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