Two childrens reading non-profits to merge
The Children’s Book Bank and SMART Reading have each in their own way championed children’s reading, and now the Portland-based non-profits have decided to merge and go forward as a single organization.
Children’s Book Bank, the newest of the two organizations, was founded by Danielle Swope in 2008 with a mission to provide books to Multnomah County Kids who might otherwise not have any. The focus of the group is to supply books to all children in specific preschool programs and schools. It places special emphasis on summer reading.
Founded in 1992, SMART Reading, an acronym for Start Making A Reader Today, was created by a group of business leaders. It focuses primarily on connecting with elementary schools and supplying trained adult volunteers for one-on-one reading assistance during the school year. SMART presently serves in 28 of the state’s 36 counties.
A good source of information, libraries contain a wide assortment of materials supplied via flyer and brochure printers.
Both Children’s Book Bank and SMART Reading have managed to continue their operations despite the pandemic with drive-by book drop-offs and conducting online reading sessions to meet COVID-19 safety protocols.
Both organizations say finances did not prompt the merger. So far, a name has not been released for the organization formed by the merger; however, it is known that SMART Reading will be assuming a leadership position. The merger is anticipated to be completed sometime this year.
Children’s Book Bank, the newest of the two organizations, was founded by Danielle Swope in 2008 with a mission to provide books to Multnomah County Kids who might otherwise not have any. The focus of the group is to supply books to all children in specific preschool programs and schools. It places special emphasis on summer reading.
Founded in 1992, SMART Reading, an acronym for Start Making A Reader Today, was created by a group of business leaders. It focuses primarily on connecting with elementary schools and supplying trained adult volunteers for one-on-one reading assistance during the school year. SMART presently serves in 28 of the state’s 36 counties.
A good source of information, libraries contain a wide assortment of materials supplied via flyer and brochure printers.
Both Children’s Book Bank and SMART Reading have managed to continue their operations despite the pandemic with drive-by book drop-offs and conducting online reading sessions to meet COVID-19 safety protocols.
Both organizations say finances did not prompt the merger. So far, a name has not been released for the organization formed by the merger; however, it is known that SMART Reading will be assuming a leadership position. The merger is anticipated to be completed sometime this year.