A couple of little helpers took part in the ribbon cutting, along with (from left) Laundry Cares Foundation Executive Vice President Dan Naumann, Quick Wash Laundromat Owner Jason Dodge, North Shore Bank President and CEO Jay McKenna, City of Milwaukee Office of Early Childhood Initiatives Director Dea Wright, and Community Engagement Manager and Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager Mike Williams.

On April 30, North Shore Bank, LaundryCares Foundation, and Milwaukee’s Office of Early Childhood Initiatives opened a brand-new “Read, Play, Learn” space at Quick Wash laundromat, located at 7903 W. Capitol Drive, right next door to the Milwaukee Capitol branch.

The opening event was a “Free Laundry and Literacy Day,” which provided free laundry services and refreshments, engaged children and adults in early financial literacy activities, and offered exciting door prizes.

The response from the community was amazing!

• About 45 children attended the event, and we gave out more than 200 books.
• In addition, Quick Wash did 5,060 pounds of laundry – that equals 506 loads! – for families at no charge.
• The prizes given away included two TVs, two bikes, Milwaukee County Zoo and Museum passes, laundry bags, soap, dryer sheets, and a free year of laundry.
• The total value of prizes given away was $3,000!

Mike Williams, Community Engagement Manager and Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager, reads to children at the event.

The new “Read, Play, Learn Space” is a comfortable spot with dozens of new culturally affirming books, providing a place for families to relax and learn at the laundromat. Kids can even take the books home as new ones will be added regularly. More than 25% of the books focus on financial literacy for young kids, helping little ones learn about successful spending and saving.

Jay McKenna, President and CEO of North Shore Bank, said the partnership’s mission to make learning more accessible for all is a natural fit for the bank.

To lend ongoing literacy support, the partners have established a monthly “Summer Series of Literacy Days,” where the community is welcome to attend onsite programming. Events cover a range of topics, including financial literacy. The “Summer Literacy Days” will be held on Wednesdays, June 12, July 17, and August 14, from 3 to 5 p.m.