Oct. 2, 2025 9:20 a.m.
A local longstanding children’s literacy nonprofit is looking for residents to help support and empower young readers.
SMART Reading begins its 34th year helping Oregon children build reading skills and a lifelong love of books. The program is asking for volunteers to commit one hour a week to read with a child or classroom in a local school.
“Our volunteers are the heart of our work,” SMART Reading Area Director Della Harp said in a release. “Reading with a child for just one hour a week can ignite confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.”
There is no special experience required to be a volunteer reader and all training is provided. SMART is also seeking a Site Coordinator who would volunteer 2-8 hours per week coordinating reading sessions at local sites.
Volunteer Site Coordinators are needed at East Primary School, Fir Grove Elementary, Glide UCAN Preschool Promise, Green UCAN Head Start, Roseburg UCAN Head Start, and Tri-City Elementary.
The organization is also seeking readers at those locations as well as at Glide Elementary, South Umpqua UCAN Head Start, Winston UCAN Head Start, and YMCA of Douglas County.
SMART plans to serve over 1,300 students and give away more than 18,000 books in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties.
Learn more or sign up at www.SMARTReading.org