Three nonprofits in Patagonia again demonstrated their commitment to helping kids develop an understanding of the plight of others. The Patagonia Empathy Project kicked off its fall events by honoring Dolly Parton and her legacy on Oct. 15 at the Tin Shed Theater. The Empathy Project was started last spring by a collaboration between the Creative Arts Center (PCAC), Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center (PYEC) and Voices from the Border.
The creative core includes Cassina Farley, an art teacher and director of the PCAC; India Aubry, a co-founder and president of Voices from the Border; and Anna Coleman, founder and director of PYEC. Middle school language arts teacher Kate Peake works with the group by representing Patagonia schools.
At the fall event, a free screening of a documentary about Dolly and her charity, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL), followed refreshments and a hands-on empathy art project.
“The evening was a success in bringing compassionate people together to support a project that affects all ages,” Coleman noted.
The art project was inspired by Parton’s song and children’s book Coat of Many Colors. Kids and adults made patches much like the ones Dolly’s mother used to mend a ragged coat that Dolly wore in elementary school. The patches carried messages about compassion, love and empathy.
The documentary itself shared insights into Dolly Parton’s impoverished beginnings and how she chose to give back to her childhood community and promote literacy through the creation of the Imagination Library. Her father was unable to read, and she grew up without access to books in her home. In 1995, her compassion for others drove her to make more opportunities for those in situations similar to hers.
Now her idea of gifting books to kids from birth to age 5 has blossomed into a worldwide opportunity. The project will continue even after her death. According to its website, the Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting over 3 million free books monthly to children through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
Farley has a dream of making these opportunities possible for Patagonia kids by becoming a partner with Parton’s library, with hopes of expanding to other Santa Cruz locations.
“When I was researching the possibility of bringing the DPIL to Patagonia, I looked up via U.S. census how many kids ages 0-5 were in Patagonia, and I think it was the 2025 census that had us at 27 kids in that age group,” Farley said. “That was a number that made the whole thing possible in my mind. If we could raise the money for 27 kids, we could easily make it work. There was also the possibility of applying for local grants to cover Patagonia as well as Sonoita/Elgin.”
Aubry is equally enthused about not only joining up with the Imagination Library, but also about continuing the Empathy Project in general.
“The Empathy Project will continue to integrate both at the middle-school curriculum level and for the general community as we find ways to bring this project forward in fun and creative ways,” she said. “The main goal of the project is to promote programs and events that help children and adults alike care about and better understand the world around us, a simple but powerful concept. Of course, we know that caring and empathetic people become better parents, teachers, leaders, legislators, etc. Another goal of the project is to bring the community together in meaningful ways. The Imagination Library — because it promotes early childhood literacy — ticks all of these boxes, and we’re really excited to make Patagonia and the surrounding area an affiliate partner. Making an investment in children in our community is making a commitment in our shared future.”
Peake is glad to bring Patagonia Middle School and her English classes into the project. “This year the project provided us another award-winning novel, Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis,” she said. “Once we read the book, there will be a general showing of a film by the project.” This is the story of resilience and survival by an 11-year-old girl who is forced to support her family under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Peake noted multiple benefits to teaming with Project Empathy. “The whole project is inspirational to students, knowing that the town sees what they are doing and is engaging in creating empathy along with students.”
More is needed from the community if this work is to continue. “There is still the need for a website and data collection if we want to join the DPIL,” Farley said. “We also need a plan to sign kids up and for marketing in our area. … If we are successful, wouldn’t it be great to offer the DPIL to the entire county? We can always use more willing folks to help out with all aspects of the project.”
Coleman summed up her commitment to the project: “Our young people bring joy and hope to the future. The investment in their future is key.”
People interested in volunteering or offering support of any kind can contact Farley at makeart1@msn.com or text/call 520-216-0358.
