Chapter One In Action
In Fall 2024, members of the North Jackson High School Beta Club generously volunteered their time to help us launch Chapter One, assembling over 300 baby bundles as part of our early literacy initiative. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment to community service helped turn this project into a reality.
At the beginning of 2025, our board members delivered the completed bundles to Scottsboro OB/GYN, our official distribution partner. Each bundle includes a baby book, toy, early literacy resources, and an application for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. These are being distributed to expectant mothers throughout the year to help build a culture of reading from birth.
We also purchased and delivered 64 Eric Carle book sets—featuring beloved titles like The Very Hungry Caterpillar—to the Jackson County Head Start Program. Each enrolled child received their own personal set to take home and begin (or add to) their home library, reinforcing the importance of access to books both at school and at home.
This project was funded by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Grant and the Children’s Policy Council Technical Assistance Grant. With additional funding applications already submitted, we plan to make Chapter One an annual tradition that reaches even more families and supports early literacy countywide.
About
At the Jackson County Children's Policy Council, we know that the foundation for lifelong learning begins at birth. That's why we're proud to introduce Chapter One, our Baby Bundles program designed to give every child in Jackson County a head start on their literacy journey.
Through Chapter One, we will be distributing 350 gift baskets to expectant mothers throughout the county. Each basket is thoughtfully assembled by volunteers from local Beta Clubs and contains:
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A baby book to start building your child's personal library.
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A baby toy to engage your little one’s growing curiosity.
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Information on the importance of reading to your child from day one.
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An application to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, so your family can receive a free book every month for the first five years of your child's life.
We believe that reading to children from an early age fosters bonding, boosts brain development, and sets the stage for academic success. Chapter One is our commitment to helping families take that vital first step towards literacy, ensuring that every child in Jackson County has the tools they need to thrive.
These Baby Bundles will be distributed to pregnant women at the Scottsboro OB/GYN office, which has graciously agreed to serve as our distribution partner. We encourage all new and expecting mothers to take advantage of this opportunity. Together, let’s make sure every child in our community gets the strong start they deserve.