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SALEM -- A local non-profit has received a major grant in support of child literacy programming.
Salem's own Brightside Project has received a $10,000 grant from the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board for the Imagination Library of Columbiana County. This program, launched in 2020 in partnership with the Imagination Library of Ohio and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, is managed by Brightside and provides enrolled children with a free developmentally appropriate book each month from the time they are born until they turn 5 years old. Of the approximately 4,900 eligible children in the county, there are currently 3,165 children enrolled.
"Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides many benefits to a young child. It improves their reading and language skills, kindergarten readiness and family literacy habits but also supports their social-emotional development and mental health," said Brightside Project Co-Director Lisa Vittorio in a written statement.
Beyond the age requirements, to qualify for the local program a child only needs to be a county resident. Brightside encourages all parents and guardians to enroll any of their eligible children online by visiting www.brightsideprojectohio.org/imagination-library. Any child registered for the program before Oct. 1, will receive their first book from the program in December. For additional information or to make a financial contribution to the local program, call 234-320-4005 or email lisa@brightsideprojectohio.org.
While 50% of the program's funding comes from the state, the remaining funding must be raised by Brightside, a process necessitating the generous support of local donors such as the County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, Bob and Linda Sebo, the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Columbiana County Commissioners, the Columbiana Community Foundation and county residents.
"Receiving financial support from the community is vital in helping us continue this program so we can ensure that young children in our community are experiencing all the benefits this program has to offer and are set-up for success as they enter kindergarten," said Vittorio.