Planet Laundry Nov 2020

LAUNDRI ES CONNECT ING COMMUNI T I ES

filled with children’s books, puppets, crayons, an alphabet rug, blocks, magnetic letters and family tip sheets. The second session of the Literacy Summit featured speakers Cindy McCain, Dr. Rosemarie Truglio and Dr. Susan Neuman – and it focused on the importance of helping parents support their children’s learning through routine moments such as laundry time and highlighted new research findings that demonstrate the effectiveness of creating literacy-rich spaces in everyday places. The highlight of this second day were new research findings from a seven-month evaluation conducted by Dr. Neuman. The study evaluated the impact of integrating Family Read, Play & Learn spaces in 10 laundromats across Chicago, compared to 10 laundromats without the spaces – as well as the effects of training outreach librarians from the Chicago Public Library to lead family story times and literacy activities. Some key findings of Neuman’s study were: • Placing Family Read, Play & Learn spaces in laundromats had an overwhelmingly positive effect on children’s literacy- related activity during their visit. • Librarians played a powerful role in both children’s and parents’ engagement in literacy-related activity. • More parents became involved in their children’s literacy- related activities during the librarians’ visits. • Children remained engaged in the literacy-related spaces throughout the study period. The closing session, moderated by Chelsea Clinton, boasted speakers Ralph Smith andMoWillems. In addition, Clinton spoke with Judge Ramona A. Gonzalez of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges about laundromats as a solution to creating a more equitable, caring and compassionate society. Also during the third and final session, the LaundryCares Foundation unveiled a new awards program, which was created to recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding service and exemplary practice in the promotion of early learning through neighborhood laundromats.

The inaugural award winners are: •Outstanding Achievement by a Laundromat Owner: Jane and Scott Wolfe, WashWorld, New Orleans •Outstanding Achievement in Early Literacy Promotion: The Chicago Public Library’s STEAMTeam •Outstanding Achievement in Partnership: The City of Milwaukee and the city’s Office of Early Childhood Initiatives WashWorld laundromat in New Orleans has been the perfect role model for the Foundation’s Family Read, Play & Learn centers and their potential to provide families access to critical literacy resources. “Owner JaneWolfe has been a true force of nature!” said Dan Naumann, executive vice president of the LaundryCares Foundation. “She has taken the LaundryCares concept to a whole new level.” WashWorld installed a Family Read, Play & Learn kit in June 2019 and has built on additional space to house books, as well as to host story times and even visits from prominent children’s book authors. Their partnership with the New Orleans Public Library also is leading theway towardmaking sure every childwho visitsWashWorld gets a leg up on early learning and literacy. The Chicago Public Library and its STEAMTeam have been leaders inpromoting early literacy in laundromats for several years. “Their leadership has paved the way for similar partnerships around the country that improve the lives of thousands of children who enjoy these programs at the local laundromat,”

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PlanetLaundry Magazine

planetlaundry.com

Magazine of the Coin Laundry Association