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The Cow Creek Foundation gives $15,000 to the Canyonville Elementary School literacy program and to the Oregon SMART Program (Start Making A Reader Today)
By Janine Jobe
Literacy in Canyonville is getting a boost due to a $15,040 grant from the Cow Creek/Seven Feathers Foundation.
The tribe will fund the $10,000 cost of the statewide program - Start Making A Reader Today - operating in Canyonville Elementary School. In addition, $5,040 will be spent to buy two books a month for the 35 students in the program.
"We all know what literacy means to us and we know what the lack of it means to those who are not good readers," said foundation chairwoman Sue Shaffer at a Wednesday luncheon and meeting in support of SMART. Shaffer also is chairwoman of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
"We are committed to our youth and their future in our community," she said.
Former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt was expected to speak at the luncheon but canceled due to illness.
"His passion for this program is immeasurable and pretty amazing," said Linda Wright, a SMART board member.
Goldschmidt started the program in 1991 following his four-year term as governor. He asked campaign contributors to use the $80,000 left in his re-election fund to start the Oregon Children's Foundation.
SMART was developed through the foundation and focuses on increasing literacy in kindergarten through the third grade. "The basis for SMART is volunteerism," Wright said. "It's unique in that it works for the children in your community. You know it's benefiting your children."
Volunteers spend an hour a week reading to two children. About 650 students in Douglas County participate in the program.
With more than 8,500 volunteers statewide, the foundation hopes to have 10,000 volunteers by the year 2000.
"We found about 25 percent of children are already two years behind in reading ability when they enter kindergarten,” said Mary Jubitz, executive director of the foundation.
"That's where the world falls apart for kids," she said. "Everybody in every community needs to be concerned about them.
A study by the Eugene Research Institute indicates children in the SMART program increase their proficiency in reading and comprehension.
The Douglas County SMA RT headquarters recently moved to a large office donated by Sid and Sissy Leiken at 859 W. Lookingglass Road, Roseburg.
Information: 672-6477.
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