May 18, 2009

California State University, Fresno has been awarded a $1,825 Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant to support the SMILE Center, an after-school program through which university students help third- through sixth-graders at Fresno’s Vinland Elementary School.

SMILE is the acronym for Support Makes Involvement in Learning Enjoyable. The SMILE Center, the vision of Fresno State students, was founded in 2000 as a partnership with Vinland Elementary, Fresno READS and Lutheran Campus Ministry.

The center’s mission is to provide a safe learning environment where children can receive daily academic assistance; reading, art, math, science and other enriching activities; and a network of support and encouragement. The SMILE Center gives Fresno State students an opportunity to learn through service and to gain experience in teaching and mentoring.

The grant to Fresno State was one of 14 provided in 2009. Phi Kappa Phi, founded in 1897, is the nation’s oldest and largest all-discipline honor society, inducting more than 30,000 individuals each year.