HOOD RIVER / THE DALLES — Reading is a critical skill for helping kids start, and stay, on a path to success in school and beyond. Across Oregon, students in early grades are still behind in reading skills as a result of the pandemic, which is a concern not only for educators and parents, but for the entire community. SMART Reading, a statewide children’s literacy nonprofit, is committed to providing two key ingredients to support young readers: Reading support and access to books. In the 2022-23 school year, SMART Reading successfully reopened its in-person reading programs after providing virtual support during the pandemic. Now, with the 2023-24 school year in full swing, SMART is preparing to reach more than 400 local students and give away 5,000 books. To do that, the organization needs more community members to sign up to volunteer.

Volunteers are needed throughout sites in and around Hood River and The Dalles. Readers are paired with the same child or classroom weekly, sharing the joy of reading, building confidence,and helping set students up for a lifetime of success.