SMILES began in 2003 as a partnership involving leaders from the business, faith, and education communities in New Bedford. The program began in direct response to New Bedford’s longstanding high and chronic dropout rate, which has contributed to poor workforce education demographics and inhibited economic development. The establishment of SMILES is a direct response to research that identified mentoring as the most effective strategy to keep at-risk students in school through graduation.

The first mentoring programs were launched in two  New Bedford middle schools, and facilitated by staff
at the New Bedford Prevention Partnership.
SMILES initial partners included the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater New Bedford Interchurch Council, New Bedford Public Schools, and the New Bedford Prevention Partnership.

A strategic decision was made by SMILES partners to incorporate in 2006 as a nonprofit to position the program for significant growth. The Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts who had served as fiscal agent for SMILES was relieved of that when 501c3 charitable status was sought and received from the Internal Revenue Service in 2007.

During the 2006-07 school year, SMILES achieved significant growth, increasing the number of participating schools from two New Bedford Middle Schools, to now being in a total of twelve schools in New Bedford and Fall River. The first Fall River program was opened at Kuss Middle School in late January of 2007.  Since then a second program in Fall River was opened at the Morton Middle School. Additionally, new programs in New Bedford were opened at Roosevelt Middle School, Carney Academy, Winslow Elementary School, Gomes Elementary School, Carter Brooks Elementary School, West Side High School, New Bedford High School, and Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. To facilitate the establishment of new SMILES programs in these schools, the number of mentors increased from 100 to 230 in just six months.

Expansion in both New Bedford and Fall River continued through 2008 bringing our programs to more new schools.  A first grade literacy program was piloted in 2 elementary schools in each city and was a huge success.  The number of mentors increased significantly as did the number of programs available.

In 2009 SMILES worked diligently to achieve Quality Based Membership through the Mass Mentoring Partnership. 
Literacy programs expanded to more schools while new first grade programs opened in schools where matches from the pilot program moved up to second grade. 

Today SMILES has a significant presence in both communities. Currently there are more than fifteen programs in  Fall River and eighteen in New Bedford.  Independent mentoring is also offered at the middle and high school levels in both New Bedford and Fall River.  Programs are also available in Fairhaven, Norton and Wareham and Westport. 

SMILES continues to grow and prosper, working diligently to recruit 1500 mentors in New Bedford and 1500 in Fall River in next 5 years.  With your help, we will achieve this goal and provide a mentor for every child who needs one.