In December 2012, Capital One Bank and ING DIRECT Kids Foundation opened two libraries in New Haven, CT and Seattle, WA. These libraries were the fourth and fifth libraries opened in the national rollout of the Capital One, ING DIRECT Kids Foundation and Books for Kids partnership.
On December 10, 2012 the Catholic Charities Child Development Center located in New Haven, CT dedicated their new children’s library. The New Haven preschool currently serves 40 children ages 3 to 5. 100% of the families with children that attend each day live below the poverty level. Catholic Charities exists to promote the dignity, self-sufficiency and human potential of those in need.
A few days later on December 13, 2012, Capital One Bank and ING Direct Kids Foundation dedicated the library in Seattle, WA at Solid Ground. Solid Ground – formerly the Fremont Public Association – has helped Seattle’s most vulnerable community members overcome economic crises and develop the skills and resources they need to thrive. The library, located in the organization’s childcare room, will serve approximately 200 children and families.
Capital One Bank, ING DIRECT and Books for Kids transformed the spaces at both Solid Ground and the Catholic Charities Child Development Center into inviting reading nooks, with special features including more than 600 brand new, library-ready, age-appropriate books, colorful and inviting interior design, a puppet theater stocked with puppets, Leapfrog and Hooked on Phonics enriching educational tools, child-friendly seating and a listening center with table, headphones and audiobooks.