Round up this February to help SMART Reading foster a love a reading and improve literacy skills by providing free books and one-on-one reading support for local kids! The mission of SMART Reading is to spark joy and opportunity through the magic of a shared book.
SMART Reading is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for children in Oregon. Its mission is to spark joy and opportunity through shared reading experiences, primarily by providing one-on-one reading time with trained volunteers and access to free books for children. Since its inception in 1992, SMART Reading has served over 396,000 children and distributed more than 4.5 million books across the state. In the Rogue Valley area alone, during the 2023-24 school year, SMART Reading reached 846 students at 26 sites, engaging 274 volunteers who dedicated 5,877 hours to reading sessions and giving away 8,300 books to local children.
SMART Reading focuses on literacy as a social determinant of health. Research has found significant correlations between early literacy, long-term health, and socioeconomic success. Literacy contributes to higher academic achievement, which is linked to better health outcomes and reduced social inequities. Access to books and reading programs can mitigate the effects of poverty and systemic barriers faced by children from underserved communities.
For example, a 2019 study in the Journal of Global Health found that having access to books at home nearly doubles literacy and numeracy gains. Providing inclusive, diverse books promotes social-emotional development and cultural understanding. SMART Reading prioritizes culturally affirming books that reflect the identities and lived experiences of children, addressing the need for equity and representation in reading materials. Through shared reading programs, SMART Reading ensures children receive books to keep, fostering a love of reading and supporting literacy development in populations with limited access to books.
Thanks to SMART Reading’s programs 91% of students showed improvement in reading enjoyment, 90% showed improvement in vocabulary development, and 87% improved their confidence in reading skills in 2023-2024.
Funds will be used to provide greater access to culturally inclusive, high-quality books and personalized reading support for children from economically disadvantaged households. These funds will help ensure that children in Jackson County can build home libraries, participate in shared reading sessions with caring adult volunteers, and experience the joys and benefits of reading, which are critical for academic and life success. By providing books and engaging literacy experiences, SMART Reading helps combat the literacy gap, which disproportionately affects children in low-income and underserved communities, and sets them up for future success.