Our Voices, our Schools - January 2009

 

This month we are profiling Marilee Woodrow, a SMART volunteer.  SMART is a nonprofit organization that engages community volunteers to read one-on-one with K-3 children who need literacy support.  You can find out more about SMART by visiting their website at www.getsmartoregon.org.

SMART's vision to have an Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed and the Chalkboard Project's mission to help raise student achievement in Oregon's K-12 public schools to among the nation's best seem compatible.  How would you like to see these two organizations proceed in achieving their like-minded goals in 2009?

The significant factor is there are no 'if's in either mission statement. Each one is focused on the 'when' and the 'how' of its achievement. Literacy skills are at the center of the empowerment. We know the opportune time for establishing a literacy base for future success is from Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd grade.  SMART's and the Chalkboard Project's combined efforts support each other. 

Chalkboard's Citizen's Corps - as a community partner - can advocate for children's literacy issues thereby reinforcing ongoing community awareness and volunteer involvement.

How have you seen your work at SMART improve your community? What is the single greatest example of this work?

A single greatest example?  The emergence and continuation of a volunteer core of adult SMART volunteers who, even in transitional times, never say quit. 

The child-centered focus emanates from each volunteer to each young reader, who, in turn, gains more than simply reading support and enthusiasm for reading - they gain in self-confidence and  'life empowerment'.

SMART's community of volunteers is a proven success co-efficient for each young reader's life success formula.

Marilee Woodrow is a retired Family and Rehab Counselor and Program Coordinator. Currently, she is in her 8th year as a SMART reader and is a member of a volunteer SMART Site Coordinating Team at a Springfield school. She is also President of the Eugene Springfield SMART Chapter.