Start Making A Reader Today and you have a lifelong learner

Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) introduces kids to the adventures of reading with the goal of ensuring every child has the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading and is empowered to succeed. It is Oregon’s largest volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to children’s literacy.

The concept is simple: pair volunteer adult mentors one-on-one with students in pre-kindergarten through third grade once a week for two 30-minute reading sessions throughout the school year.

“The volunteers not only inspire the love of reading for kids, they are an important part of the child’s life,” said Diane Turnbull, area manager for SMART in Deschutes, Jefferson, Grant and Crook counties. “For some kids, the weekly time spent reading with an adult is one of only a few things they can count on. It’s so heartwarming to see how their eyes light up when the volunteers come into the room.”

SMART began in 1992 in Oregon, as a way to address the widespread realization that many kids, particularly those from financially disadvantaged families, were reading below grade level. Studies show that students who aren’t reading at grade level are more likely to drop out of school. Yet, those who read at least 20 minutes every day typically graduate high school and continue on to higher education.

Kids are referred to the SMART program if they struggle with reading, have difficulty reading aloud, and/or don’t have a positive role model at home. Each student in the program receives two books every month to take home and keep, with the hope that the child will read at home with a parent.

SMART partners with schools that offer free or reduced lunches, HeadStart in Madras, and a preschool in Sisters and is reaching out to Warm Springs and NeighborImpact in Redmond.

Turnbull said the challenge now is to offer culturally relevant books to kids in these growing, diverse populations.

“Kids see themselves in the books they read, so the material has to reflect that,” said Turnbull. “But more important is the volunteer that can understand the child’s culture and family life.”

SMART is funded through individual donations, businesses, service organizations, foundations and fundraisers. While the nonprofit accepts some book donations, the organizers prefer to have control over what books are purchased and presented to the kids.

The prestigious Library of Congress Literacy Award, which supports organizations working to reduce illiteracy in the U.S. and the world, honored SMART of Oregon with the American Prize in October 2014. The prize included a $50,000 check, which will go a long way toward purchasing children’s books and supporting the program.

The main focus for the paid SMART staff of two in Central Oregon is on fundraising, volunteer recruitment and program expansion, while volunteer site coordinators at select schools focus on pairing adult volunteers with students.

For part-time preschool teacher and volunteer SMART site coordinator Jessica Weisgerber, being a part of the nonprofit is a way for her to help ensure every child has a chance to experience the adventures of reading. For nearly three years, Weisgerber has dedicated herself to helping put books in the hands of kids who need them most.

“I’m excited to be able to pass along my passion for reading and books,” said Weisgerber. “Not only to my daughter, but to other children.”