The Middlesex County Council for Young Children (CCYC) launched its Barbers and Books Project in February to coincide with Library Lovers Month. Containers with children’s books are placed in area barbershops so children – especially young males – have access to a variety of books. The Project is an innovative way to bridge literacy gaps by giving children books and helping to develop a love of reading. It encourages fathers to read to their children and play an important role in their ongoing education.
More than 1,000 new children’s books were donated by Barnes & Noble of East Brunswick and Bridge of Books. Participating barbershops include: Distinguished Ones, New Brunswick; B & B Barber Shop, Sayreville; Straightline, Perth Amboy; Metro Barbershop, Colonia; Kids Kuts, Woodbridge; and Precision Hair Studio, Old Bridge. Ruben Martinez of Distinguished Ones stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to make a difference in the community and to empower others.”
CCYC Program Coordinator Ediza Lahoz Valentino added, “Literacy gives children the opportunity to exercise their brain, develop their imagination, improve concentration and learn about the world around them. Our Barbers and Books Project is an example of how small organized efforts can make a big difference in our communities to improve the lives of children.”
The CCYC offers parents and service providers an opportunity to work together to strengthen communities for children. CCYC groups organize meetings to assess community needs, challenges and aspirations and develop an action plan to address these needs. Meetings and events are open to everyone who lives or works in Middlesex County.
The Middlesex County Council for Young Children is a program of Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey. For information, visit: www.facebook.com/middlesexccyc/ For barbershop inquiries, please e-mail: [email protected]
Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey promotes great childhoods, positive parenting and healthy child development. Founded in 1979, PCA-NJ’s evidence based programs are designed to prevent child abuse and neglect in all forms for all New Jersey children. Annually, PCA-NJ serves tens of thousands of children and families throughout the 21 New Jersey counties. For more information, please visit www.preventchildabusenj.org or call 732-246-8060.