Pitt’s Office of Child Development fights against racism with reading
For Miriam Messick, reading mysteries or stories about immigration is “cheap therapy.” The Forest Hills woman, who works in the Early Head Start Program at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development, knows how important picture books are for young readers, too.
So she was delighted to deliver a package of carefully chosen books to Shanny the Nanny, a Forest Hills child care facility run by Shannon Veltre.
Over the years, Mrs. Messick has watched Mrs. Veltre evolve from an upbeat dance teacher and young leader into a busy mother of two and owner of a child care center. The two women met at Amie’s Dance Academy, a Forest Hills studio where students learn tap, ballet and jazz.
“She danced at the same dance studio that my daughter and I danced with. She was a very good dancer,” Mrs. Messick said.
Seven years ago, Mrs. Veltre started a child care business on the first floor of her Swissvale apartment. In November 2018, she moved Shanny the Nanny into a former Forest Hills school.
“It took her a lot of determination and effort, and she did it. Her child care has just taken off,” said Mrs. Messick, who noted, “I grew up right down the street from there.” So she recently volunteered to make a special delivery there.
Since the Tree of Life massacre in 2018, Pitt’s Office of Child Development has sought monetary donations for its “Books for Change” initiative. So far, it has delivered more than 3,000 books to schools and child care facilities. The week before last, it delivered 1,100 books to 100 early child care providers.
“Every year, the focus shifts a little bit toward a current topic,” Mrs. Messick said. The theme for 2021 is“Raising Antiracist Readers.” As was noted on the initiative’s webpage, “This summer saw the country’s latest tragic acts of racial injustice followed by inspiring movements and organizing to support racial justice and equality. Our office has worked to support social justice and racial equity, and this year’s 25 books reflect that aim. With each title, we hope to promote positive racial identity development in children.”
“I went to a couple other sites. They were very happy to receive them,” said Mrs. Messick. One woman just broke through the ribbons and said, “I have to read this.’”
An evaluation and research team at Pitt’s Office of Child Development chose the books, and the public could purchase and donate them, via local bookstore City of Asylum.
Find the list of the 25 books chosen for this year’s deliveries www.ocd.pitt.edu/ books#Book%20List.
At Shanny the Nanny, the new books will get a workout. Each day, Mrs. Veltre and her staff — including her sister, Brittany — take care of 10 children, who range from 3 months old to 5 years.
“We have circle time in the morning. I read a story to the kids,” Mrs. Veltre said. “They love their story time. They love reading their books. Before nap time, they pick a book from the library and go to one of their cots. They get to read their own story before nap time.”