United Way of Northern Arizona — Raising A Generation of Readers

Nationally, only 3 in 10 students entering the 4th grade are proficient readers.(1) That’s disheartening enough, but here’s the really scary statistic: children who aren’t reading proficiently by the 4th grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.(2)

Instilling a love of reading is the key to success for our children. It’s the foundation upon which their education is built.

That’s why United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is proud to partner with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) to make sure children in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties discover the world of books in those critical years before they enter school.

Every month from birth to age 5, children in the program are mailed age-appropriate books at no cost to their families.

For many of these kids, the Imagination Library volumes are the first books they have ever owned. Having parents and caregivers read to them shows them how to “operate” a book and that fun and exciting stories (not to mention awesome pictures) can be found between their covers.

This encourages a lifelong love of reading that will strengthen and support these children throughout their academic careers.

At this time, UWNA and DPIL are providing books to 1,425 children in northern Arizona.

Of course, “free” programs really aren’t free. It’s your donations that fuel this vital initiative and allow books like Llama Llama Red Pajama and The Very Hungry Caterpillar to make it into the hands of children every month.

For the next two weeks, we are holding a special campaign to raise $10,000 for our local Imagination Library program, ending on Dec. 9 with the world premiere of “The Library that Dolly Built” on Facebook.

If you can, please consider a gift for this special initiative. You’ll be helping local children discover the world of books with your gift, and setting them up for future success in school and beyond.