The LaundryCares Foundation alongside Too Small to Fail, an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, hosted its 3rd Annual Literacy Summit among three separate dates this past September. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference switched to a virtual format. With thanks to the vision of our many sponsors listed at the bottom, we were able to offer registration completely free, breaking down the cost barrier for many. The 2020 summit featured the largest number of registrants for the event to date with over 750+ plus confirmed and participated registrants. Going virtual allowed the summit to truly engage, inspire, and bring our coalition together in a new and exciting way.
CLA President/CEO introduces Bill Clinton’s keynote during the 2020 LaundryCares Literacy Summit.
The Summit agenda boasted a world-class lineup as the first session of the conference featured a prerecorded keynote from former President Bill Clinton, as well as a conversation between Clinton and Wes Moore of the Robin Hood Foundation about the power of making a difference in a child’s life. The session left attendees hungry for more as our second session of featured speakers included Cindy McCain, Dr. Rosemarie Truglio and Dr. Susan Neuman –focusing on the importance of helping parents support their children’s learning through routine moments. The session left us reminded of how vital and validated our work has become. Lastly, Ralph Smith of Campaign for Grade Level Reading gave us his inspiring words and perspective in the third sessions keynote. Chelsea Clinton capped the third session by an engaging and fun talk with American author, Mo Willems, which included a drawing session with attendees to bring some joy to the end of all sessions.
Chelsea Clinton talks with American Author, Mo Willems during the 2020 LaundryCares Literacy Summit.
Throughout the Summit and in their breakout sessions, participants were encouraged to submit action plans on how they will take steps to support children and families in laundromats in their communities. Owners pledged to integrate Family Read, Play & Learn spaces in their stores, librarians and educators plan to launch laundromat outreach pilot programs, and community leaders will create literacy-rich spaces in everyday spaces using signage and tools to distribute early learning resources to parents and caregivers.
With our actions plans in place and Summit 2020 now a memory, the LaundryCares Foundation and Too Small to Fail will now go to work testing new approaches and refining strategies to increase “caregiver-child engagement.” With support from the William Penn Foundation, partners will create and test additional literacy-rich elements and experiences for children and families in three Philadelphia laundromats. Results from this study will further inform the organizations’ future efforts to engage families in laundromats.
A special thanks to all those involved in #LiteracySummit2020. Without the passion and dedication from all industry corners our mission would not be possible.
- The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
- AllState Insurance
- Heising-Simons Foundation
- Eastern Funding
- Scholastic
- Lakeshore
- Lesley
You Can Help
You can help us to continue to provide help to underserved people in communities throughout the nation by spreading the word, sharing our content and our message, influencing more laundry owners to join the movement, and making a monetary donation.
I run a podcast called End Book Deserts – all about the. programs and people who work to get books into the hands of kids. I’ve featured Susan Neuman and Too Small to Fail – and I’d love to feature this work. Many thanks!