Liz Turner, Founder, ED, CFO

Liz has a background in marine and coastal science education and special education. More than 25 years ago, she created “SMART Parties” to motivate her own son, who had lost interest in reading. SMART Family Literacy Parties remain a signature program for the organization. What began modestly in a Galveston home became a professionalized literacy organization that gives 30,000 children’s books annually to 9,000  children through community reading programs. SMART’s  flagship programs include SMART Heart Partners, which brings UTMB Pediatric and Family Medicine residents into  classrooms every Wednesday morning to read aloud and  give books to children. More than 1,000 adults per year are trained through  SMART’s workshops and conferences provided to teachers  and caregivers who work in licensed childcare centers.  “SMART Parties,” presented at  schools and monthly at  Galveston’s Spot Restaurant,  are still helping young families  discover the joy of learning  through hands-on social  reading experiences! Visit SMART Family Literacy at www.SMARTFamilyLiteracy.org and follow on Facebook or LinkedIn.