Pampering Patty's Book Corner was born from a place of sadness.  My mother, Patricia Williams passed away on September 24, 2017.  She was a caregiver to all she encountered in the community - especially the youth and had a passion for reading.  "Patty" preached tirelessly to me about the reading and how it would lead to a better understanding of the world I was being brought up in, and serve as a means of escape from some of the harsher realities we still see today.  This project is in her legacy, reach one - teach one!

Literacy and the ability to read strengthens our children’s journey towards being happier, healthier and more productive and creative citizens. Pampering Patty’s Book Corner addresses the need for making books accessible to kids who might not otherwise have such access. Of course, there’s no substitute for the schools; but this community-based summer project will complement the efforts of public schools by making books available to children at times and places where schools are not open. The ability to comprehend words and content increases a child’s ability to communicate with peers, parents and eventually professionals in the working world. Pampering Patty’s Book Corner helps us meet youth where they are and encourages reading for fun over the summer months. Fun activities will include kid friendly yoga with our partner Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative at the reading sessions - this allows them to not only stimulate the mind but the body as well. Incorporate a nutritional component by providing healthy snacks for the youth attending as well as written information for the parents to have to help shift their eating habits at home.  We will engage health vendors to bring information during readings or placing materials within the little library box so the larger community has access.  I believe these steps will have a greater impact on the youth living happier -- healthier lives and combat some of the social determinants health they are exposed to on a daily basis.

To accomplish this task, these “Little Libraries” will be installed at several Niagara Falls City Parks, elementary schools and businesses to offer another means of “Play” and present the opportunity to exercise the mind as well as the body during times away from the classroom.  Implementation and installation with a tentative start in April 2020 with community partners Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, Niagara Falls Community Development (Summer in our City Series) and the Niagara Falls School District just to name a few.