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Connecticut's General Assembly appropriated $500,000 to sustain and expand upon early childhood literacy initiatives – including our partnership between United Way's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, Reach Out and Read, and Read to Grow. Together, we are ensuring children across our state receive free books, fostering a love of reading and helping them achieve developmental and academic milestones. R esearch shows that, in their later years, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to repeat grades and drop out of high school — contributing to the cycle of poverty. As part of our new Onward860 strategic vision, closing gaps in child literacy is one of the key ways United Way aims to help end poverty, as it has a direct influence on the academic achievement of young children and on their future overall. Currently, about 53. 2 percent of all 3rd grade students enrolled in public schools in our region were not reading at grade level as shown in the 2024 - 2025 Smarter Balanced Assessments. We approach closing child literacy gaps in multiple ways; first, by addressing the immediate needs of local children to achieve academic success; and, simultaneously working collaboratively to drive systemic change through advocacy and collective impact efforts. Through our advocacy efforts and working hand-in-hand with strategic partners, we achieved an important gain in early childhood literacy in 2025: during the most recent legislative session, In addition, United Way is leveraging data and input from our working groups centered in community perspective to reduce disparities and increase access to high-quality and affordable child care services, and ensuring resources are available so children read proficiently by the start of fourth grade. POVERTY ENDS BY ADDRESSING THE CHILD LITERACY GAP Local dignitaries and leaders pose at the 2025 Read Across America Day Volunteer Kickoff. Last year alone, more than 53,000 books were distributed to 5,600 children in Hartford and New Britain. Through United Way's support, 2,205 children ages birth to five were enrolled in quality early childhood education programs in 2025. 16 | 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT | UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT CLICK HERE to see how you can help.