Literacy Program

The Genesis Group is committed to promoting and advancing Literacy throughout the Mohawk Valley through a number of initiatives. 

Recently, The Genesis Group of the Mohawk Valley and R4K ~ Ready for Kindergarten “A Birth to School Program”, announced a partnership to bring the internationally renowned “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” to our region. Every child enrolled in the Imagination Library program receives high-quality, age-appropriate books in the mail – one book per month until a child’s fifth birthday – at no cost to families.

Roxanne Mutchler and John Reale, Jr., Co-Chairs of the Genesis Group Literacy Education Program, said “we are honored to create a new partnership with R4K and the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to put more books into the hands of children. By supporting Imagination Library in Oneida and Herkimer counties, we can work together to help create a culture of reading for all children across the region.”

Robin Robinson, President of the R4K Program said, “children who are read to early in life are better prepared for learning and school. The gift of literacy inspires children to love language and books while supporting parents’ positive interactions with their children. Partnering with school districts and the community fosters our children’s success.”

Lauren Wirt, Regional Director of the Dollywood Foundation said, “simply getting books into children’s hands changes the trajectory in life for the child, their family, and the community.”Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the world’s preeminent early childhood book gifting program. The Imagination Library mails more than 2.4 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five.

The program launched in September of 2023 and was highlighted by the Daily Sentinel.  Read full story here. 

For more information about the Imagination Library program, or the Literacy Program, contact Co-Chairs Roxanne Mutchler and John Reale or email The Genesis Group at info@thegenesisgroup.org.