Literacy in Community

💛📚 Belonging starts from the very beginning.

We're proud to share that LINC's Chief Program Officer, Laura Walsh, recently presented alongside our partners Springboard Collaborative and SCO Family of Services at Division for Early Childhood (DEC) citywide conference, "Belonging from the Beginning: Advancing Inclusion in Early Childhood Education."

The conference brought together educators, leaders, and community partners committed to creating early learning environments where every child and family feels seen, valued, and supported.

At LINC, we know that early literacy and belonging go hand in hand. When families are empowered, communities are engaged, and children see themselves reflected in their learning experiences, stronger foundations for reading, learning, and lifelong success can grow. 🌱👶🏽

We're grateful to be part of conversations that help advance inclusive, family-centered early literacy practices across New York City.

📚✨ One week away: a remarkable evening of storytelling, conversation, and community awaits.

On Tuesday, June 23, join LINC's Associate Board (LAB) at Sullaluna Nyc for Literacy Lounge, featuring a special conversation with The New York Times best-selling author Jean Hanff Korelitz author of "The Plot" and "The Sequel."

From an intimate author discussion and live reading to thoughtful conversation with fellow book lovers, this is a chance to experience literature up close while helping create brighter reading futures for New York City's youngest learners. 💛🏙️

Your ticket supports LINC's work equipping children with the literacy foundations they need to thrive. Books will be available for purchase during the evening. 🎟️ Secure your tickets here: tinyurl.com/LitLounge26

LINC community: next week we have stories, songs, outdoor adventures, and plenty of reasons to read! ☀️📚 Join us from June 22–28, for FREE family programs across NYC designed to spark curiosity, build early literacy skills, and make reading part of the fun:

📍East New York
️🗓️ Jun 26, 12pm | Celebrating Reading Together at Brooklyn Community Services. Songs, rhymes, stories, and early literacy tips for babies, toddlers, and caregivers.
🎟️ FREE Registration: https://ow.ly/pCFT50ZbOzf
️🗓️️Jun 27, 11am | East New York Farmer at East New York Farms! Farm-themed stories, songs, and literacy fun, right on the farm!
🎟️ FREE Registration: https://ow.ly/2wYH50ZbOzj

📍Kingsbridge
️️🗓️Jun 24, 4pm | Growing Through Stories at Kingsbridge Branch Library, NYPL. Bilingual storytime filled with books, songs, and hands-on learning.
🎟️ FREE Registration: https://ow.ly/tQXt50ZbOzc

📍South Jamaica
️🗓️ Jun 26, 3pm | Growing Readers at New York City Department of Parks & Recreation's South Jamaica Infinity Garden. Outdoor stories, songs, and activities that help young readers learn and grow.
🎟️ FREE Registration: https://ow.ly/v8x750ZbOze
️️🗓️ Jun 27, 10am | Growing Readers Graduation Celebration at Queens Botanical Garden. Celebrate our youngest readers with stories, activities, and a joyful literacy-filled gathering
🎟️ FREE Registration: https://ow.ly/v8x750ZbOze

️🗓️📍Staten Island
️Jun 26, 10:30am | Adventure Begins with a Book at NYPL The New York Public Library's Stapleton Library. Storytime and activities that inspire imagination and a love of reading.
🎟️ FREE Registration: https://ow.ly/mPNr50ZbOzi

All LINC programs are 🌟FREE,🌟 designed for families with children ages 0–5, but all ages are welcome.

🗣️💞 This week’s Vroom tip (⬆️ Desliza para español): some of the earliest conversations happen long before children use words.

Through smiles, sounds, movement, and playful interactions, babies learn that communication is a two-way exchange. These simple back-and-forth moments help children build attention, connection, and the foundations for language from the very beginning.

Every giggle, wiggle, and response is part of a growing conversation, and a powerful way to nurture learning through everyday routines. 🧠👶✨

📢🗣️ "What do we want? Early Literacy. When do we want it? NOW!"

Earlier this week, LINC joined our City's First Readers (CFR) partners, families, educators, advocates, healthcare leaders, librarians, and elected officials on the steps of City Hall (New York City Council) to send a clear message: early literacy is essential, and New York City’s youngest children deserve continued investment and support.

From a community read-aloud of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to powerful stories from families and literacy champions across the city, the rally highlighted what we've long known: literacy doesn't begin in kindergarten—it begins at birth, in homes, communities, libraries, pediatric offices, and everyday moments of connection.

Together, we rallied for a future where every child has the opportunity to build strong literacy foundations and thrive. 🙌🏽 📚

📖 Read the full recap of the day and the voices behind the movement: tinyurl.com/LINCCFRRally2026

🏙️📖 Reading doesn't stop when school ends, it shows up in libraries, parks, summer camps, neighborhood businesses, community programs, and homes across New York City

That's why we're excited to see our partners at NYC Reads launch their new website, newsletter, and social media channels, creating even more ways for organizations, educators, families, and advocates to stay connected around a shared goal: helping every child become a confident reader.

At LINC, we've long believed that literacy thrives when entire communities come together to make reading part of everyday life. The work highlighted in NYC Reads' latest newsletter—from summer literacy strategies to citywide advocacy efforts—reflects the power of collaboration in building a stronger reading culture for all children.

📚 Explore NYC Reads' new online hub at nycreadstogether.org and dive into their latest newsletter for literacy resources, ecosystem updates, and ways to stay connected to the growing movement for literacy across NYC: tinyurl.com/LINCNYCReadsNewsletter

🤸🏾‍♀️☀️ Get ready for a week of stories, celebrations, and big reading adventures! Join LINC from June 15–21 for FREE family programs designed to help little learners grow through play, conversation, and books:

📍Kingsbridge
️🗓️ June 16, 11am | Phonics Rich Homes workshop series at Kingsbridge Branch Library, NYPL. Learn fun, hands-on strategies to strengthen early reading skills at home.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/4z5rv8vu

📍Inwood
🗓️ June 18, 11am | Planting Stories, Growing Readers at The Met Cloisters RING Garden. Explore nature through stories, songs, activities, and literacy tips for young readers.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/ring26spring

📍South Jamaica
🗓️ June 15, 10:30am | Baby Talk Parent Workshop series at Queens Public Library. Discover simple ways to build your baby's language skills through everyday interactions.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/qpl26
🗓️ June 18, 8:30am | Juneteenth Picnic at Samuel Huntington (.s.40q). Celebrate liberation, community, and Black stories through books, crafts, and family fun.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/40linc26

📍Other Neighborhoods
🗓️ June 17, 3pm | Diversity Through Literacy at Far Rockaway Library. Celebrate diverse cultures and experiences through stories, songs, and creative activities.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/bdeb97fy

📍Virtual
🗓️ June 16, 12pm | Little Babies, Big Feelings workshop series. Explore ways to support your child's emotional development while nurturing early literacy.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/rt63ukmt
️🗓️ June 17, 4pm | Wild Reading Adventure! Meet extraordinary animals through interactive stories and a fun-filled virtual reading journey.
🎟️ FREE Registration: tinyurl.com/y37t3wax

All LINC programs are 🌟FREE,🌟 designed for families with children ages 0–5, but all ages are welcome.

🚨📣 Tomorrow, we rally for NYC’s youngest readers! On Monday, June 8 at 10:30 am, LINC will join our partners at City's First Readers (CFR) on the City Hall (New York City Council) steps to make one thing clear: early literacy deserves investment, visibility, and action.

Ahead of the City Council FY27 Executive Budget Hearing, we're calling on families, educators, advocates, community organizations, and supporters across NYC to stand with us and help make our voices impossible to ignore.

📍 City Hall Steps
📖 Community read-aloud
💛 Wear yellow (or grab a yellow lanyard)
🍽️ Lunch provided
👶🏽 Families and strollers encouraged

The future of literacy starts now. Join us tomorrow and help show the strength, joy, and power of community-driven literacy.

To register, contact [email protected] or call 516-554-5036.

👏🏽👏🏽 A big congratulations to LINC’s Director of Early Literacy, Josh Barocas; Senior Manager of Early Literacy, Allison Zambito; Content & Delivery Specialist, Stephanie Santos; and Program Assistant & Content and Delivery Coordinator, Melanie Sanchez on leading a dynamic Acadience-Aligned workshop at P.S. 172 in Brooklyn during Families as Learning Partners Day!

Through multiple workshops in both English and Spanish, families and educators explored LINC’s new activity card decks and Acadience-Aligned app while engaging in hands-on literacy experiences designed to make learning interactive, accessible, and joyful. From word play and movement-based activities to practical strategies families can use every day, the sessions highlighted the power of learning together. 🧠✨

📖 We’re excited to see these literacy-rich tools continue supporting meaningful learning beyondthe classroom and into homes, strengthening the connections between families, educators, and young readers across our communities.

🌙👩🏽‍🍼 This week’s Vroom tip (⬆️ Desliza para español): bedtime can be more than routine, it’s connection time.

As you rock and sing your child to sleep, notice how they show you what they need, whether it’s more of your voice, or a cue that they’re ready for quiet. These small back-and-forth moments help you tune into your child’s signals and build early awareness of communication and emotions.

Over time, these calming exchanges support your child in learning how to settle, respond, and feel safe in their rhythms, an essential foundation for lifelong growth. 🧠👶🏽