Our Program
United Way of Southern Cameron County Success By 6 is committed to ensuring that children birth to 6 years old are prepared for school and a life of learning by increasing access to educational activities and providing parents and caregivers with ideas for turning everyday activities into quality early learning opportunities, because we know that every child in Cameron County is Born Learning. For that reason, we believe every child should have access to books in their home and what better way than through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
What is Success By 6?
Success By 6 is not a program or a product or as tangible as a piece of software.
It is one of the most important efforts United Way can undertake to ensure children’s bright future.
It begins when leaders come together, focused on doing whatever it takes to ensure the health, well-being and school readiness of children in our community. This directly contributes to southern Cameron County’s quality of life, educational success, competitive workforce, and economic strength.
Success By 6 offers a structure, an approach, guidelines and a research based path that United Way of Southern Cameron County is following. Simply put, Success By 6 is a process and framework for galvanizing communities to change lives. It’s a nexus for action. What does it mean to be a United Way Success By 6? Success By 6 is a public-private partnership of community leaders who galvanize around a common concern or shared vision. All children are ready to succeed when they enter school is the core value driving Success By 6 leaders in developing a comprehensive action plan to address short- and long-term needs of children in the community.
The United Way Success By 6 framework offers a common foundation of proven strategies. Success By 6 initiatives approach the task in a logical, methodical way: they assess the needs, map out resources and identify measurable outcomes that can truly move the needle. They create a plan for action that includes public, private and nonprofit partners and takes into account existing services and supports.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Cameron County
Imagination Library is funded locally by Workforce Solutions Cameron, the Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education, individual donations from other community members and service groups and special grants. A child can be sponsored for $30 per year. Imagination Library works to build community support for children during the formative years that influence their entire lives with the goal of helping all children be prepared for school and life.
Who is eligible?
Children from birth to age four who live in southern Cameron County including but not limited to Brownsville, Los Fresnos, Port Isabel and South Padre Island.
When will my child receive books?
After registering, the first book takes about eight to ten weeks to arrive at your home. Books will arrive monthly until the child’s 5th birthday.
What do parents/guardians need to do?
· Submit a completed enrollment form to United Way of Southern Cameron County Success By 6.
· Notify United Way directly anytime your address changes in order to continue receiving books.
· Read and have fun with the books and your child. The more you read with your child, starting at birth, the more your child learns and develops.
· Tell other parents about Imagination Library.
· Let your employer know that businesses can also donate to help support Imagination Library. Donations are greatly appreciated to help ensure continuation of this program.