Oregon's leading nonprofit early literacy organization, SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) mobilizes thousands of caring adult volunteers to read one-on-one every week with two K-3 children for a half hour each. This special mentoring relationship gives children the consistent support they need to learn to read at a crucial time in their development.
And SMART doesn't stop at one-on-one reading sessions. All participating children receive two new books of their own every month. By giving books to children who may not otherwise have them, SMART extends its support into the home, encouraging families to read together and helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.
Since 1992, SMART has served 100,000 Oregon children, given away 1.4 million books, and coordinated 2.3 million volunteer hours. Our goal for 2006-07 is to serve 12,000 children in 280 schools in 32 of Oregon’s 36 counties. No other literacy organization in the state makes such an impact.
To learn more about SMART
Ellen Valway, Central Area Program Manager
(541) 383-6466
evalway@getsmartoregon.org
Sign up today to volunteer with SMART and give children in your community the one-on-one support they need to learn to read.
SMART is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible.
SMART is not affiliated with Central Oregon Community College.