Literacy program success

UNITED Way Glenelg is being recognised on the global stage for its community-led approach to early literacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), with executive officer Nicole Car invited to present as a panellist on a United Way Worldwide webinar earlier in January 2026.

The international webinar highlighted the impact of DPIL across communities worldwide.

United Way Glenelg shared how the program is delivered in a rural and remote setting, alongside research presented by Dr Claire Gallea from United Way Australia.

As a small United Way operating with part-time staffing, United Way Glenelg relies on strong local partnerships and a practical, on-the-ground approach to delivering the program.

While national research provides the evidence base, the United Way Glenelg model focuses on connection, ensuring families in more remote areas are enrolled, supported and feel the program is genuinely for them.

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is more than a book delivery program for us,” Ms Carr said. “It’s a platform that allows us to build relationships, create inclusion, and connect people across generations.”

A key focus of the presentation was highlighting United Way Glenelg’s work to ensure the program meets the needs of families from different backgrounds.

With a higher Aboriginal population than many communities in Victoria, United Way Glenelg worked alongside local Gunditjmara peoples to develop an Indigenous DPIL sign-up form and culturally inclusive promotional materials, supporting families to see themselves reflected in the program.

The growing number of Indigenous titles included in the Imagination Library collection, alongside partnerships with Indigenous publishers, has further strengthened the program’s inclusivity and relevance for the whole community.

United Way Glenelg also showcase Stories That Shape Us, delivered with major sponsor Portland Aluminium.

The initiative invited employees from diverse backgrounds to share a childhood book and reflect on how it shaped their life, celebrating diversity while reinforcing the importance of early literacy and Alcoa’s ongoing commitment to the Glenelg community.

Another standout initiative is Magic of Storytime, United Way Glenelg’s most successful complementary program. Delivered in an aged care setting at Heywood Rural Health, the program brings kindergarten children and aged-care residents together to share stories from the Imagination Library and take part in simple craft activities linked to the books.

For children, the program supports early literacy, listening skills, confidence and positive relationships with older adults. For residents, it builds connection, reduces isolation, and brings joy, purpose and routine and for some, it may be the first time they have had contact with a young child or even a visitor in some time.

United Way Glenelg’s inclusion in the United Way Worldwide webinar highlights the value of small, place-based organisations and the impact that can be achieved when global programs are delivered through strong local partnerships.

“This recognition belongs to our donors, partners and volunteers,” said Ms Carr. “Their support allows us to take a proven program like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and make it meaningful at a local level building literacy, connection and belonging across our community.”

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free early literacy program that delivers a high-quality, age-appropriate book to registered children every month from birth until they start school at age five.

The program is designed to foster a love of reading, support early brain development, and strengthen the bond between children and their caregivers through shared reading.

By placing books directly into homes, the Imagination Library removes barriers to access and ensures all children, regardless of background or location, have the opportunity to build strong foundations for lifelong learning.

To enrol your child go to https://imaginationlibrary.com/au/affiliate/PORTLANDVIC/