United Way of Mesa County will launch a program expanding an early childhood literacy program as well as unveil a new mural in downtown Grand Junction.

An event scheduled for Oct. 27 downtown will detail the program and unveil the mural.

United Way plans to launch a Mesa County Imagination Library in partnership with the Dollywood Foundation. The program will build on the work of the Grand Junction Imagination Library and Lower Valley Imagination Library.

Mesa County Imagination Library will offer free, high-quality books to children from birth to 5 years old each month, expanding the early literacy program to all of Mesa County.

“United Way of Mesa County is honored to take over the hosting responsibilities of this vital childhood literacy program, and we look forward to getting even more books into the hands of children here in our community, beginning with outreach efforts in some of the more rural areas of our county,” said Keira Clark, community impact and marketing manager at United Way of Mesa County. 

“We look forward to expanding this wonderful program and encourage any Mesa County resident with children ages birth to 5 years old to register by visiting www.imaginationlibrary.com and clicking check availability,” Clark said.

In addition to announcing the launch of the Imagination Library program, United Way of Mesa County will debut a new mural replacing the 30-year-old artwork along Main Street in downtown Grand Junction.

United Way of Mesa County contacted students in Lora Quesenberry’s art class at New Emerson at Columbus Elementary to come up with 10 ideas for a new mural that would reflect the mission of United Way. The students presented their creations to a panel of local artists and United Way staff and volunteers in March. 

In September, students interviewed artist Emily Adamson and selected her to make the students’ vision a reality. Adamson began work on the new mural during the Downtown Art Festival.

“We are beyond excited about this project and the great work by the students and Emily Adamson,” said Zebulon Miracle, executive director of United Way of Mesa County Executive Director Zebulon Miracle. “She masterfully incorporated the ideas and themes of the students into a mural that shows the mission and impact of United Way of Mesa County. We hope that this piece will inspire generations to come.”