One child at a time. One volunteer at a time. One book at a time.

At SMART Reading, we hold to one simple truth: Reading matters. It’s an early gateway skill that paves the pathway for future success. Without it, kids are simply less likely to graduate high school, find employment, or successfully avoid hardships like poverty, homelessness, hunger, and other injustices.

Since 1992, SMART Reading has been pairing adult volunteers with children to provide reading support and books to keep. SMART Reading volunteers read one-on-one with students weekly during the school year, modeling a love of reading and building children’s reading skills and self-confidence in a positive, child-guided environment. All students also select up to two books of their choice each month to add to their personal library.

In 2022, SMART Reading merged with the Children’s Book Bank, an organization that accepts donations of gently used children’s books, refurbishes them with the help of volunteers, and then distributes them to children from birth to 8th grade. The services offered by the Book Bank are a natural complement and enhancement to SMART Reading’s long standing programming. You can read more about the Children’s Book Bank at SMART Reading here.

Our Vision

An Oregon where all children can realize their full potential through reading.

Our Mission

To spark joy and opportunity through the magic of a shared book.

Federal Tax ID: 93-1051724