Every child should be able to read. With your help, they can.

Each year, SMART reaches thousands of Oregon children with vital one-on-one reading support, and books for those who need them most.

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How SMART Works

We engage the community to provide critical reading support and books to Oregon children.

What We Do

Inspiring confident readers

Wyatt Paulina Springs for eblast

Learning to read is one of the most important steps in a child’s life, laying the vital foundation for future knowledge and education. Research proves that shared book reading and access to books in the home during a child’s first, formative years are the strongest predictors of early literacy skills. At SMART, this is what we do.

Founded in 1992, SMART’s proven model engages community volunteers across Oregon to read one-on-one with PreK through third-grade children for one hour per week during the school year. SMART volunteers model reading aloud and ignite a love of reading in children, helping build reading skills, motivation and self-confidence. SMART students also receive up to 14 new books to take home and keep each year.

SMART Stories

Story from:

Amy Daniel, Lane County

In the 1990’s, my beloved grandmother Elizabeth Taylor (not the one of Hollywood fame) was a SMART volunteer in Eugene. That was one of the biggest highlights of… Read More ›