BRONX, N.Y. — Throughout the summer, six locally based Clean Rite Centers are hosting family story times led by the New York Public Library (NYPL).
The partnership between Clean Rite and NYPL is part of a nationwide movement to bring learning to local public laundries and, in this case, to specifically impact early childhood literacy throughout the Bronx.
June’s story times have already passed. The remaining story times are free and open to Clean Rite customers at the following locations (all times are Eastern):
- 3533 Boston Rd., 11 a.m.-noon July 9 and August 6;
- 1578 E. 233 St., 10-11 a.m. July 9 and August 13;
- 1240 E. Tremont Ave., 10-11 a.m. July 9 and August 27;
- 2451 White Plains Rd., 11 a.m. -noon July 16 and August 6; and
- 1812 Westchester Ave., 11 a.m.-noon July 16 and August 20.
Research shows that 60% of American children start kindergarten underprepared, according to the Clinton Foundation’s early childhood initiative Too Small To Fail. Additionally, 80% of brain development occurs before the age of 5, which makes this time critical for children’s future success and learning.
“When children and families come to do laundry, we want them to engage in literacy-rich activities that facilitate learning for a lifetime,” says Felicia Galitsky, chief of staff for Laundry Capital, parent company of Clean Rite.
Librarians from six NYPL branches are invested in the story time effort, adds Eva Shapiro, NYPL senior manager of Early Childhood Education.
“The joy of reading can be discovered anywhere,” she says. “This partnership with Clean Rite is an invitation for children to explore realms of imagination in their everyday communities and see reading as joyous, essential and most importantly – accessible to all.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
