About Us
Bringing Stories to Life, Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Young Minds
Our Story
After moving to Charlotte in 2018, Ms. Jenny Zhan, a first-generation immigrant and mother of three, searched for a place where her kids could enjoy Chinese stories and songs but found few options. Determined to create such a space for her children and others, she held the first public storytime at her neighborhood park on April 23rd, 2019.
What began as a small gathering has grown into a cherished community program. On January 3rd, 2025, Charlotte Chinese Story Time officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Today, we host monthly storytime sessions at one of Mecklenburg’s largest public libraries, with more volunteers joining as storytellers and organizers.
Our mission is to:
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Cultivate cultural awareness
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Foster children’s language development
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Promote early literacy
We are dedicated to bringing families together through the joy of Chinese stories, songs, and cultural activities, while fostering a strong sense of community and cultural appreciation.
我们的故事
自2018年搬到夏洛特后，Jenny 一直希望为孩子们找到一个可以聆听中文故事、欢唱中文儿歌的地方，但遗憾的是，这样的机会非常有限。与其等待，她决定主动创造机会。2019年4月23日，她在社区公园的草地上举办了第一次公开中文故事会，不仅是为了自己的孩子，也为了更多热爱中文和中华文化的家庭。
从最初的小型聚会开始，中文故事会逐渐发展壮大，成为孩子们翘首以盼、家长们喜爱的公共图书馆品牌活动。更令人欣喜的是，来自不同背景的华人也纷纷加入，成为故事讲述者和活动组织者，其中既有新手妈妈，也有本地的ABC（American-Born Chinese）学生，共同为传播中华文化贡献力量。
在大家的共同努力下，夏洛特中文故事会于2025年1月3日正式成为501(c)(3) 注册非营利组织，标志着我们进入了一个新的发展阶段。
我们的使命是：
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提升文化认同感
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促进儿童语言发展
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推动早期读写能力
我们致力于通过中文故事、儿歌和文化活动，为社区家庭搭建一个互动、温馨、充满乐趣的文化平台，促进家庭之间的联结，传承和弘扬中华文化。
