This summer, six Bronx-based Clean Rite Centers will host family storytimes, led by the New York Public Library. The partnership between Clean Rite and NYPL is part of a nationwide movement to bring learning to local laundromats – and, in this case, to specifically impact early childhood literacy throughout the Bronx.
The storytime event, which are free and open to all Clean Rite customers, are scheduled as follows:
Clean Rite – 2241 Southern Blvd.
10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 25
Clean Rite – 1578 E. 233 St.
10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturdays, July 9 and August13
Clean Rite – 3533 Boston Rd.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Saturdays, July 9 and August 6
Clean Rite – 1240 E. Tremont Ave.
10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturdays, July 9 and August 27
Clean Rite – 2451 White Plains Rd.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Saturdays, July 16 and August 6
Clean Rite – 1812 Westchester Ave.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 16, and Saturday, August 20
Research shows that 60 percent of American children begin kindergarten underprepared, according to the Clinton Foundation’s early childhood initiative Too Small To Fail. Additionally, 80 percent 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,” said Felicia Galitsky, chief of staff for Laundry Capital, parent company of Clean Rite.
Eva Shapiro, NYPL senior manager of Early Childhood Education, agrees. “The joy of reading can be discovered anywhere,” she explained. “This partnership with Clean Rite is an invitation for children to explore realms of imagination in their everyday communities and to see reading as joyous, essential and, most importantly, accessible to all.”
In all, librarians from six NYPL branches are taking part in the Clean Rite storytime effort.
