CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A nonprofit organization aims to improve literacy by reading books to children at a laundromat a couple times a month.

  • ShowerBus ‘N CLT Inc. is participating in the nationwide iniative by the LaundryCares Foundation
  • How it works: Children at the laundromat choose a book to read and volunteers then read aloud to them, but sometimes it’s the other way around. Children can then keep the book
  • Volunteers read at Westover Hills Coin Laundry the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

ShowerBus ‘N CLT Inc., which provides shower supplies to homeless people, is participating in the nationwide iniative by the LaundryCares Foundation. Their goal is to promote early literacy development.

ShowerBus ‘N CLT Inc. Executive Director Debra Franklin has been reading to children at Westover Hills Coin Laundry since May. Franklin, who is also a Charlotte Area Transit System bus driver, said the goal is to teach children to read by age 8.

“If they don’t have those skills by 8 years old, they’re behind for the rest of the years in school. Our goal is to get them to read as quickly as possible,” Franklin said.

Children at the laundromat choose a book to read. Volunteers then read aloud to children, but sometimes it’s the other way around.   

“It’s a program that I really support because it’s helping everyone because the more people who can read, the more people can do their part in the community,” Franklin said.

Children who participate in the program are able to keep the book they select.

Danna Nicole Reyes Lopez, who read a book with Franklin on her birthday, was happy to take the book home.  

“I liked it, and it was a good present for my birthday,” Reyes Lopez said.

Franklin says the program is not only benefitting children, but also city drivers like her.

“When they get on my bus, they are going to tell me, ‘remember me I was in the laundromat with you?’ so that’s rewarding that the kids are remembering and they know us,” Franklin said.

Volunteers read at Westover Hills Coin Laundry the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The group also provides tutoring after the reading sessions.