About Us
Charlotte Chinese Story Time is a nonprofit organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina, dedicated to promoting Chinese language, early literacy, and cultural awareness for children and families through free community programs.
夏洛特中文故事会是一家位于北卡罗来纳州夏洛特市的非营利组织，致力于通过免费的社区活动，推广儿童中文语言发展、早期阅读能力和文化认同。
Our Story
Charlotte Chinese Story Time was founded to address the lack of accessible Chinese language and cultural programs for young children and families in the Charlotte area.
After moving to Charlotte in 2018, Ms. Jenny Zhan, a first-generation immigrant and mother of three, searched for a place where her children could enjoy Chinese stories, songs, and meaningful cultural experiences. Despite the growing diversity of the community, she found very limited opportunities for young children to engage with the Chinese language in a welcoming, family-centered environment. Determined to create such a space not only for her own children but for other families as well, she organized the first public Chinese storytime at her neighborhood park on April 23, 2019.
What began as a small gathering of families has since grown into a cherished and widely supported community program. Through consistent programming and the dedication of volunteers, Charlotte Chinese Story Time gradually expanded its reach, serving families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. On January 3, 2025, the organization officially became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, marking an important milestone in its development and long-term sustainability.
Today, Charlotte Chinese Story Time hosts monthly Chinese storytime sessions at one of Mecklenburg County’s largest public libraries, along with special cultural events, performances, and community programs throughout the year. Our work is made possible by a growing team of passionate volunteers who serve as storytellers, organizers, and cultural ambassadors, helping to create inclusive and joyful learning experiences for children.
Our mission is to:
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Cultivate cultural awareness and cross-cultural understanding
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Foster children’s Chinese language development
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Promote early literacy through stories, music, and cultural activities
We are dedicated to bringing families together through the joy of Chinese stories, songs, and hands-on cultural experiences. By creating a warm, interactive, and community-driven environment, Charlotte Chinese Story Time aims to nurture children’s curiosity, strengthen family connections, and celebrate the richness of Chinese culture within the broader Charlotte community.
我们的故事
夏洛特中文故事会的创立，源于一个简单而坚定的初心。2018年，创始人Jenny迁居至北卡罗来纳州夏洛特后，观察到本地缺乏面向幼儿及家庭的中文公共文化资源。于是，她决定自己行动起来，填补这一社区空白。
2019年4月23日，第一次中文故事会在社区公园的草坪上展开。这场最初为满足自己孩子需求的小型聚会，因其开放与友好的形式，迅速吸引了附近多个家庭的加入，开启了从家庭活动走向社区服务的旅程。
随着参与家庭逐渐增多，故事会稳步成长，并进入本地公共图书馆体系，发展成为一项深受孩子喜爱、家庭信赖的定期项目。更令人鼓舞的是，越来越多的社区成员——包括家长、青少年及专业人士——以志愿者的身份加入我们，共同承担起活动组织、故事讲述与文化推广的工作。
凭借持续积累的社区影响力与清晰的公益使命，夏洛特中文故事会于2025年1月3日正式注册为501(c)(3)非营利组织。这标志着我们从一个自发性的社区活动，转型为一个具有规范架构、致力于长期服务与文化传承的公益性机构。
夏洛特中文故事会作为一家非营利性文化教育组织，我们致力于：
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滋养文化认同：通过丰富的文化体验，帮助儿童与家庭建立并深化与中华文化的情感联结。
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支持中文习得：营造亲切自然的中文环境，助力儿童在语言发展关键期获得有效的中文交流与理解能力。
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启蒙终身学习：通过故事、音乐与互动游戏，激发儿童对阅读与知识的早期兴趣，奠定终身学习的基础。
我们力求构建一个互动、温暖、充满支持的社区平台。通过定期举办高质量的中文故事会与文化体验活动，我们不仅促进家庭之间的联结与互助，更致力于传承文化精髓，助力孩子们在多元文化环境中成长为自信、包容的个体。
