UWGN-2024 AnnualReport - Flipbook - Page 19
In partnership with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and the Dollywood
Foundation, Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee delivers an age-appropriate,
high-quality, personalized book straight to children’s mailboxes from birth to age 5.
Research shows that children who regularly read early in life have have a stronger
vocabulary and are better prepared for school. Imagination Library puts books in their
parents’ hands from their 昀椀 rst months of life to kick-start their love of reading.
38,715
526,049 630,490 58.5%
children served
books distributed
in 2024
in 2024
all-time grads
of eligible children reached
CATALYST FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE SPOTLIGHT
Raising Readers Nashville is a collaborative community group working to improve the
systems and structures that support Nashville’s families and young children, cultivating
an environment where all children can grow the reading skills they need to thrive. This
work starts at the beginning: understanding the differences and variations in supply
and demand for child care across Davidson County and the surrounding areas. Raising
Readers Nashville and Vanderbilt University’s Prenatal to 3, Policy Impact Center
completed Phase I of a Davidson County Child Care Landscape Study in spring 2024,
examining child care supply and population metrics that inform local demand across the
county. The study’s 昀椀 ndings are being used for child care expansion planning and local
advocacy efforts that effect policy changes and in昀氀 uence resource allocation. In June
2024, Raising Readers Nashville advocated for allocation of $200,000 in city funds to
support Phases II and III of the study, to be used by Raising Readers Nashville and policy
partners to strategically design new child care solutions in the areas of highest need.
200+
68
114 516
families reached by
partner organizations
members
volunteer hours
Kindergarten Readiness
Navigators initiative
19
