SALEM, MA — As music and entertainment fans around the world mourn the passing of legendary performer Dolly Parton, more than 2,000 families on the North Shore also have the actress, singer and philanthropist to thank for helping spur literacy and creative development in their own homes.
Pathways for Children was one of dozens of programs across Massachusetts that are part of the Country music icon's "Imagination Library" that provides free books to new parents to read to their children at an early age.
"It's an unbelievable program," Laura O'Neill, Director of Institutional Advancement at Pathways for Children, told Patch on Tuesday. "They are all high-quality books. There are also support materials provided through the website that families can use.
"It really helps strengthen the parent-child bond through reading together."
The program came to the North Shore in February 2021 and expanded to the communities of Peabody, Beverly and Salem that spring through a local donation. It also serves families in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester.
Through the program, the family of any newborn in those communities can enroll, with a new book sent every month up until the child is 5 years old.
Parton started her education nonprofit to send free books to children in Tennessee because her father, who quit school to work on the farm, struggled to learn to read.
Her Dolly Parton Foundation then expanded the program nationwide.
O'Neill said there are about 2,000 families currently enrolled across the seven North Shore communities, with residency the only qualifying factor for acceptance.
"Reading to a child is such a positive interaction in the early years," O'Neill said. "Those first years are what really shape a lot of learning habits.
"Literacy is a key, key element of being able to grow and thrive and succeed in their environment. Developing an early love of reading instills in children and caregivers an early path to success."
O'Neill said the Dolly Parton Foundation made the program easy to manage for the member organizations.
"They were always readily available and supportive," she said. "They were very engaged and committed to the work. ...
"Unfortunately, we were never able to meet Dolly. That was always the dream. She was such an inspiration. We are so grateful to Dolly and the Foundation for all that they have made possible so far."
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