Reach Out and Read Program
The Thursday Morning Club is a non-profit women’s organization that owns and operates the Madison Community House located at 25 Cook Avenue. In addition to programs and services provided at the Community House, this organization also supports projects in surrounding communities.
One of the important projects they are currently involved in is the Reach Out and Read Program. This program targets children from infancy to age 5 within families of underserved in the Morris County community. Through book donations, pediatricians at the Zufall Health Center in Morristown can share books with parents, enabling them to read to their children and enhance their literary skills at an early age. In New Jersey alone, there are now 81 locations serving these families.
The Thursday Morning Club is now asking for the public’s help with book donations for the Reach Out and Read Program. New books as well as used are acceptable. If books are used; however, they must be in excellent condition. Cardboard books and picture books are preferred based on children’s ages. They can be dropped off in a marked container located outside of the Community House. For additional information you may contact Susan Fleming at 973-377-4670.
Also in the new year the Community House is hosting Mindfulness classes for both children and adults.
Beginning Mindfulness for children combines 1st and 2nd graders, and 3rd and 4th graders for an eight week Saturday series that begins on January 9. Children can learn techniques for strengthening self-awareness, attention skills, and practice periods of silence with use of games, movements, and journaling. The classes are taught by Mary Lea Crawley, a Certified Mindfulness Instructor. Cost for the eight week program is $175 per child.
Mindful Parenting is a four week class that will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 beginning on February 1. Parents with children of any ages are invited to learn of mindful ways to parent children in today’s fast-paced culture. The price of the four week series is $80.
To register for either class contact Mary Lea at marylea@mindfulkidsnj.com
For information about the date and times of each specific class, visit www.mindfulkidsnj.com
