President Bill Clinton makes a smoothie with students and faculty at Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School in New York

On Assignment: Go behind-the-scenes as we travel around New York City with President Bill Clinton, visiting Foundation programs and partners

See how inspirational New Yorkers are making a difference in their neighborhoods, their communities, and beyond.

Clinton Foundation
Dec 12, 2019 · 4 min read

What do a high school, a church, and a laundromat have in common? All three were visited by President Bill Clinton this week, as he traveled around New York City to see Clinton Foundation programs and partners.

From improving health and wellness to expanding clean energy to promoting early literacy — we had the opportunity to learn more about inspirational New Yorkers who are making a difference in their neighborhoods, their communities, and beyond.

Throughout the day, President Clinton’s press secretary, Angel Ureña, provided a behind-the-scenes perspective, tweeting highlights and memorable moments. Keep reading to follow along.

Stop #1: Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School, where nutrition, health, and wellness rule.

President Bill Clinton visits Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School in New York, one of America’s healthiest schools

We start the day at Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School, which has earned the distinction of being named as one of the healthiest schools in the United States a total of six times.

We’re there to learn about some of the unique ways that students, staff, and administrators are working together to promote lifelong healthy habits — from smoothie-making classes to floor hockey to a before-school spin class.

After blending a fruit and vegetable smoothie with seniors Azriel M. and Sokhna F., President Clinton heard from dozens of students who are committed to incorporating physical activity into their everyday routines — from floor hockey to spinning and cycling.

Stop #2: Cornerstone Baptist Church, where one college student’s commitment to clean energy is powering a transformation, six years later.

President Bill Clinton visits the historic Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York

After leaving the high school, we travel to the Bed Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn. We’re at the historic Cornerstone Baptist Church to learn more about a project that started six years ago through the Clinton Global Initiative University (“CGI U”).

While attending Duke University, in 2013, Donnel Baird applied to join CGI U — a global community of entrepreneurs and innovators who want to turn their big ideas into action. At the CGI U annual meeting that year, he made a commitment to expand clean energy in inner cities.

Six years later, through his organization, BlocPower, Donnel has gone on to complete energy retrofits in nearly 1,000 schools, small businesses, nonprofits, and churches— including here at Cornerstone Baptist Church.

During our visit, President Clinton got a firsthand look of some of the improvements, including energy efficient lighting and a chiller system.“You made going to church a better experience because it’s not just God’s light shining on you brighter,” he said of the upgrades.

Read more about the visit here from Brooklyn News 12.

Stop #3: Laundro Lux Laundromat, where owner Ralph Macchio is transforming a common place into a cozy corner for kids to read and learn.

President Bill Clinton reads with children at the Laundro Lux Laundromat in Long Island, New York

After a hour-long drive to the Deer Park neighborhood in Long Island, we arrive at our final stop: Laundro Lux Laundromat. We are there to see how owner Ralph Macchio is working with our Too Small to Fail team to promote early learning and literacy in his community.

The integration is part of an effort by our Too Small to Fail team to help provide more families with early learning resources like books. By placing early education resources into spaces that parents often visit — such as laundromats, diaper banks, playgrounds, health clinics, and more — they hope to empower families to transform routine moments into opportunities to expand their child’s early brain and language development. Read more about the visit here from Newsday.

After a full day, Angel reflected on a favorite quote from President Bill Clinton: “There is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizen.”

See how you can support this work.

Clinton Foundation

Written by

Working with partners across the United States and around the world to create economic opportunity, improve public health, and inspire civic engagement.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade