Dear SMART Volunteers,

As spring breathes new life into the world around us, it feels fitting that this month we celebrate the heart of our organization—you.

To everyone who joined us at the SMART Recovery Conference, thank you. Meeting so many of you in person was nothing short of inspiring. Whether we chatted between sessions or exchanged a warm smile in the hallway, every encounter was a reminder of the incredible compassion, wisdom, and dedication that drives this community forward.

In honor of Volunteer Month, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the magnitude of your impact.

Together, our 1,390 volunteer facilitators support 1,430 public meetings each week. With each meeting averaging 90 minutes, that adds up to more than 2,100 volunteer hours every single week. And if we consider the national value of a volunteer hour—$33.49—that means your time translates to over $71,000 in weekly value, or nearly $3.74 million annually.

But of course, your impact can’t truly be measured in dollars. It’s measured in the stories of recovery, the breakthroughs, the support you offer during the hardest days, and the spaces you hold with care and integrity. You are the pulse of this program, and your contributions change lives every day.

As we close out Volunteer Month, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the incredible difference you make. Whether you’ve been with SMART for years or just a few weeks, your time, your presence, and your belief in the power of change have an impact that ripples far beyond any single meeting.

Thank you for showing up—for others and for yourself. The work you do matters. And we see you.

With gratitude,