2025 Annual Report
Books Open Minds. Literacy Opens Doors.
Welcome
Dear Friends,
This year, The Literacy Cooperative continued to prove what is possible when a community believes in the power of books, learning, and one another.
Across Cuyahoga County, families opened mailboxes to find brand new books. Educators gathered to strengthen their practice. Adult learners took steps toward new credentials and new opportunities.
At a time when literacy outcomes remain deeply concerning nationwide, we remain hopeful. Early literacy, family engagement, professional learning, and adult education are not separate efforts; they are the bridge forward, creating pathways to lifelong success.
This year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library reached new milestones, delivering millions of books directly into homes during the most critical years of brain development. Our family engagement efforts continued to support caregivers as children’s first teachers. Educators and practitioners strengthened systems that support learners across their lifespan. These programs work because they are rooted in evidence, strengthened by partnerships, and powered by community trust.
None of this happens alone.
To our donors, partners, volunteers, and supporters, your investment of resources, time, and care ensures that literacy remains accessible to families regardless of income or circumstance. Your collaboration brings our mission to life across Cuyahoga County.
We are proud of what we accomplished in 2025 and even more energized by what lies ahead. Books open minds. Literacy opens doors. Together, we are building both.
With gratitude,
Craig Dorn, Board Chair
Robert E. Paponetti, President & CEO
Highlights
In April, The Literacy Cooperative officially launched its refreshed brand during the 2025 Read Across America Celebration, reflecting the organization’s clarity of purpose, statewide reach, and commitment to accessible, evidence-based literacy solutions.
Impact
What’s working and why it matters
“The data and the voices of families are aligned: access matters, consistency matters, and partnership matters.”
Superintendent of Warrensville Heights City School District
Families
Supporting Families Through Early Literacy
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) continues to be a cornerstone of TLC’s work. Available throughout Ohio, DPIL provides enrolled children with a free, brand-new, high-quality, age-appropriate book mailed each month from birth until age five.
As the local program partner for Cuyahoga County, TLC has nearly 40,000 children who are currently enrolled. Since its inception in 2014, we have mailed 2.5 million books to more than 88,000 children.
In August, Ohio announced that families could enroll in DPIL through the birth certificate paperwork process. We can already see a significant increase in the number of newborns enrolled with 1890 newborns via enrolled through this process alone since August when compared to a total of 2,755 newborns in all of 2024. TLC is advancing partnerships with OB/GYNs, doulas, midwives, birthing educators, and postpartum care providers to ensure families are informed and empowered to enroll.
Measuring Impact: 2025 DPIL Participant Survey
The 2025 DPIL Participant Survey Report, released in 2026, received 1,859 responses and again demonstrated strong, positive impacts on family literacy habits particularly among families with lower incomes.
Key findings included:
- About four in five parents are reading to their children more after receiving DPIL books
- Nearly 90% believe DPIL is helping prepare their child for kindergarten
- 96% share information about DPIL with other parents who are not yet enrolled
- Over 90% believe participation is helping improve their child’s attention span
- More than 90% believe DPIL is helping reduce screen time either very much or somewhat
When asked about the most important benefits of receiving Imagination Library books, families most frequently cited:
- Support for reading and literacy development
- Age-appropriate developmental benefits
- Excitement and anticipation of receiving mail
- Variety and diversity of books and topics
- Reduced barriers to accessing books
- Family bonding and quality time
“What stands out to me is that families are not just receiving books, they are building routines… Those shared moments strengthen households, strengthen communities, and create the foundation our scholars need to rise, grow, and reach their fullest potential.” – Donald Jolly, Superintendent of Warrensville Heights City School District
Expanding Access & Community Support
Over 16,000 returned books were redistributed at more than 40 events and to 60 organizations on 90 occasions.
Whole-Family, Whole-Life Literacy
TLC hosted four virtual Healthy Families programs, reaching more than 481 registered families. Programs are available on TLC’s YouTube channel and website resource page.
The DPIL newsletter goes out to over 35,800 families who are part of the program. In it, we offer important connections to resources offered around the county.
“As an early childhood education professional, I can offer families the chance to create a free library for their kids. In my former role, I witnessed directly how families used their Imagination Library book collection to read more together…” – Tatiana Wells, DPIL Parent
“Thanks for all your support and grace you’ve shown my family and me. Juanye’ is doing quite well, he’s now in the second grade and still loves to read, write, spell and has an impeccable thirst for math!” – Tomika Johnson, DPIL alumni parent
Systems
Building systems for lasting change
Professional Development
Educators are essential partners in building early literacy, and TLC remained committed to strengthening professional practice across Northeast Ohio. Nearly 150 educators and tutors participated in six professional development sessions and three lunch-and-learn events. Training topics ranged from the science of reading to the role of AI in the classroom, with many sessions now available on demand through our new digital learning platform.
“I’m already thinking about all the ways I can better visualize and communicate our program data – I will definitely be using a lot of the concepts from this training in my work moving forward.” – Data Storytelling To Strengthen Donor Relations Professional Development Attendee
Pre-K Teacher Training
TLC hosted its annual Pre-K Teacher Academy, a day-long learning experience designed for early childhood educators. More than 175 participants engaged in OCCRRA-approved professional development and Teachers-Teaching-Teacher’s sessions, learning directly from expert practitioners and peers. The Academy created space for collaboration, reflection, and shared learning, reinforcing TLC’s belief that strong systems are built when educators are supported and connected.
So, when their students asked where they were instead of school, they can answer…
Adult Education/Workforce Development
TLC partnered with The Centers (via El Barrio workforce division) to collaborate on a pilot program integrating contextualized literacy and language and GED preparation with Child Development Associate (CDA) credential training. Five participants enrolled; one completed a GED and another began GED coursework.
“I love when trainings are interactive, practical, and applicable to my work. I appreciated seeing concrete examples and having a chance to practice applying what we were talking about.” – Professional Development Participant
Staff continues to advise and advocate at the local and state levels, including local and state funding for DPIL and Emergent Coaching for parents, testifying before the State Senate Finance Committee, participating in Groundwork Ohio Advocacy Day and continuing leadership roles with the Ohio Workforce Coalition, Ohio PN-3 Coalition and Black Child Development Institute of Ohio.
Two-Generation (2Gen) Collaborative
The 2Gen Collaborative advanced systems-level work through:
- An Advocacy Action Team developing a focused agenda on healthcare and mental health, early childhood education, and economic assets
- Peer-to-peer/Professional Development Team delivered lunch and learn sessions on Ages & Stages, Triple P, and youth behavioral health
- The work of the 2Gen Collaborative continues today as a resource network for partners to share updates, events, and opportunities through The Literacy Cooperative’s website and emails.
Community
Showing up, celebrating, and connecting
Read Across America Celebration
Our annual Read Across America Celebration held in April was absolutely electrifying with Dr. Amy Acton as keynote speaker and Margaret Bernstein as Emcee.
We presented the Kurt Karakul Literacy Award to Kids’ Book Bank, recognizing their outstanding commitment to advancing literacy access and equity for children across Greater Cleveland. The event brought together donors, partners, educators, and community leaders to celebrate literacy, honor impact, and invest in the future of reading in Cuyahoga County, generating $42,000 at the paddle raise.
CLE Bee 10
The Literacy Cooperative celebrated a decade of dedication at the 10th annual CLE Bee, uniting competitors to battle over words and fund the lifelong success that literacy guarantees. Thanks to Emcee Mike McIntyre, Judge John Russo, and word readers Jon Doss and Mike Snyder kept the energy high while teams battled over challenging words.
The heart of the evening was found in the powerful testimonials by Tomika Johnson, a parent of Imagination Library alumni, Juanye, shared how the books transformed her son, and Board Member Carole Beaty who shared a testament to the profound importance of having books in the home. Youth Opportunities Unlimited claimed victory with the winning word “solecistic.”
- Total Revenue: $74,309
- 20 teams
Judson Manor Spelling Bee
TLC brought the spelling competition to senior residents at Judson Manor, celebrating lifelong learning and love for the game.
Support
Powering the mission
TLC Volunteer Corp
More than 160 volunteers contributed over 1,300 hours of service valued at $42,000. Volunteers supported events, newborn enrollments, office work, book redistribution, and outreach. 15 corporate and community groups assisted at 21 events preparing undeliverable books for reuse.
Friends of Literacy
The Friends of Literacy group continued to lead fun, engaging, and effective community events, including:
- 2 “Peeling Parties”
- 1 Trivia Night
Together, these efforts have raised more than $13,000 since 2022.
Donor Impact & Philanthropy
In 2025,
Highlights include:
- New donors: 166
We are deeply grateful to every individual, foundation, organization, and business that chooses to invest in literacy. Your support is laying the groundwork for a more just, literate, and connected future.
Funding Sources
As the local program partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, TLC is responsible for financially supporting the program in Cuyahoga County, which includes cost of books, mailing and staffing. The national program provides infrastructure and pricing support, but each book delivered depends on donations from our community.
In 2025, funding came from a mix of philanthropic gifts, government support, and foundation grants. Local philanthropy, especially from individuals, family foundations, and donor advised funds remains essential to sustaining and growing Imagination Library.
2025 Donors List
Board Members
- Carole Beaty
- Sally Brocious
- Tony Contrucci
- Craig Dorn, Chair
- Daniel Eberhardt
- Daniel Fluharty
- Vallery Gaines, Secretary
- Al Harsar, Treasurer
- Laura Hall
- Donald Jolly
- Kurt Karakul, Vice-Chair
- Monique Katsuki
- Celia Lamb
- Elyse Mulligan
- James von der Heydt
- Suzana Vujasin
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
