Related content
EPIC Approach to its Work: Community Housing of Wyandotte County
EPIC Approach to its Work: Communi...
Established more than two decades ago, Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC) has invested nearly $120 million in constructing and improving hundreds of homes in older Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhoods.
Building community in central Topeka: The Omni Circle Group
Building community in central Tope...
Nonprofit aims to improve the health of Topeka Central Park residents through community development and entrepreneurship.
Transforming east KCK neighborhoods: Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corp.
Transforming east KCK neighborhood...
Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corp.’s dual focus on community support and redevelopment has attracted the Kansas Health Foundation as a partner.
In 2019, the Kansas Health Foundation worked with community organizations in seven counties to fund Dolly Parton Imagination Library programs. In these communities, and others throughout Kansas, children who are signed up receive a free book delivered to their homes each month until the age of 5.
KHF funding was used to either start or strengthen DPIL programs in the counties of Cowley, Finney, Ford, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee and Wyandotte. Overall, KHF’s investment is a three-year, $1 million initiative.
It’s a program already bringing joy to children in Dodge City, including those in the Lopez family.
“With two older kids, we obviously have books in the house, but I think it’s really important to have relevant books,” said Coral Lopez, a mother of three. “That’s where this program really shines. Once that new book gets here each month, it’s on repeat for at least a week.”
To learn more about the program and KHF’s involvement with children’s literacy, please watch this month’s Health Happenings eNews video above.