Everyone deserves the opportunity for education and access to knowledge. We make that possible by empowering parents to support their children, improve the quality of their learning environment, and offer solutions to challenges outside the classroom. With the help of United Way’s Imagination Library (formerly Books from Birth), Born Learning Academies, and affiliate programs, students will obtain educational success from kindergarten to graduation.
Our Bold Goal: To ensure that 50% or more of children will be kindergarten-ready by age five.
Our Work
Your Local Imagination Library
Your local Imagination Library, Rutherford Books from Birth and Cannon Books from Birth, builds a foundation for reading and learning for ALL children from birth to age five in Rutherford and Cannon counties by providing a new, age-appropriate book each month at no cost to the families enrolled. The United Way of South Central Tennessee serves as the local sustaining partner of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, in partnership with the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation. Learn more.
Born Learning Academy
Born Learning Academy is an engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities. Learn more.
At United Way, we know that complex problems don't have simple solutions. We raise our hand and join tough conversations - not just to resolve the immediate needs of today, but also to address the systemic changes needed for a brighter tomorrow.
Tennesseans for Quality Early Education fights to ensure our children get the quality early care and education they need. United Way of South Central Tennessee was proud to be selected as a Bright Start Community, responsible for convening community partners and driving conversations toward solutions to support children’s learning and development outcomes in the first eight years of life.