HMI What’s up?

Dear friends and supporters of HMI:

This year has been extremely busy for me as executive director (volunteer) for HMI due to personal and family health issues.

However, not to have HMI “undone” completely, we have maintained the nonprofit status and we are focusing mainly on our wonderful affiliation with The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. HMI was blessed to have received a grant from The Emporium Foundation in April 2022, in order to fund this worthwhile program in Cameron County for the second year.

“In 2020, my Dad suggested that I register my granddaughter for the national program, The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. However, it was not available in my area and it was not available in Cameron County. Part of the mission of HMI is to bring national programs and funding into Cameron County to help improve daily lives of current residents. So, I went to work and brought this very worthwhile program to my hometown, through the nonprofit corporation, Hometown Mentors.” — Cathy Ostrum Swarmer

In partnership with Hometown Mentors, Inc. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides a free book each month to the babies of Cameron County, PA. Each registered child with a Cameron County address, receives an age appropriate book FREE each month. Take a look at the program by clicking here, check your zip code availability and register your child in this program.

Parents do not pay anything in order for their pre-kindergarten little ones to receive the free books. Hometown Mentors, Inc. partners with county agencies, foundations and private donors to raise the money to fund each book.

The cost of the books is only $25 per child, per year. Currently there are over 68 babies registered. A great big thank you goes out to the Cameron County Commissioners for funding the initial year of the partnership, and to The Emporium Foundation who funded year 2 of our affiliation. These great partners make a huge difference for citizens in Cameron County.