The SMART reading program recruits and trains up to 10,000 volunteers who read one-on-one to kids in grades K-3. Their mission is to encourage reading outside the classroom. The program not only organizes volunteers but also gives each child in the program 14 new take-home books over the course of the program. This is a statewide program focused on schools with large low-income populations. There is a volunteer site coordinator or a team of coordinators at each school. The coordinator recruits, trains and monitors the volunteer readers. Volunteer readers commit to one hour each week – 30 minutes with two different students. Volunteers can also be members of SMART Site Teams. The teams support the site coordinator by helping with room set-up, scheduling, keeping records, and any other tasks that help keep the program running smoothly. All volunteers must pass a national background check and participate in training.
I like the SMART website. Information is readily accessible – a simple chart lists the programs in each county and indicates which ones need volunteers. Volunteer applications can be submitted online, which is very convenient. You can make donations online and also find links to SMART fundraisers and book drives.
This is a great model. A great feature of this program is that it encourages people to form their own SMART chapters, hopefully leading to a proliferation of sites. How great to connect people who love to read with kids who need someone to model love of reading! I strongly believe that every child should have books in the home, so I really like that aspect of the SMART program. I would love to find a similar program for every state. Please help me by sending me links to any programs in your area.
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