Children between birth and five years old receive a free book each month

West Chester, PA – [Sep 24, 2024] – The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) is proud to announce a partnership with the Chester County Imagination Library, an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books for children up to age five. Children who reside in Chester County can apply to have a free book delivered to their home each month.

Families can enroll online or in person at YGBW branches across the county. The goal of this program is to increase literacy levels for preschool age children living in Chester County.

Literacy Linked to Health and Wellness
According to data from the Lucy Project, nearly 70% of fourth graders in the USA read below grade level. Increasing childhood literacy is crucial to improving a child’s chance of graduating from high school, earning a living wage, being able to navigate the healthcare system and more. Intervening at an early age is key to increasing literacy rates.

“Our partnership with the Chester County Imagination Library aligns with our mission to strengthen our community through Healthy Living, Youth Development and Social Responsibility,” says Bertram L. Lawson II, President & CEO of YGBW. “Childhood literacy is a predictor of future outcomes - and we want to ensure that all children in our community are set up for success.”

“Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH) is excited to partner with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine to help enroll children in the Chester County Imagination Library,” says Jan Michener, Executive Director of AHHAH. “We know for children to succeed and thrive; it takes a village working together.”

The Chester County Imagination Library is sponsored by Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH) in partnership with the Justamere Foundation and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine.

Chester County Imagination Library: https://www.ahhah.org/ccil.html
Apply to Recieve Free Books: https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/PACOATESVILLE/
YMCA of Greater Brandywine: https://ymcagbw.org/