Hi! I can help you learn what ROW does, volunteer, support the program, or find contact information.
Reading Opens your World offers a gateway to new horizons by connecting dedicated volunteers with students, laying the foundation for a robust reading journey and a bright future for children in Missoula, Montana.
LEARN MOREOur mission
To foster literacy and improve reading skills through positive reading experiences.
READ MOREOur vision
We’re building a future where every child in Montana can read at a grade-appropriate level or beyond.
READ MORECore values
Our volunteers are trained to adhere to our core values, including caring and connection.
READ MOREReading truly does open a child’s world
ROW is a non-profit organization that gives students one-on-one reading attention once a week. Every other week, each student is gifted a book to build their home library. Throughout the school year, the volunteer and student have an opportunity to create a bond and hopefully instill a love of reading.
In their own words
Stories from the ROW community
Real voices from the volunteers, educators and families building confident readers across Missoula.
“I told Roman that his reading had improved a lot and asked what had helped him the most. He said, ‘Grandpa helped me the most.’”
Grandpa is Roman’s ROW volunteer and comes to read with him every week.
Brian Goettlich
Target Range Volunteer
“The students LOVE when their mentors arrive - their faces light up! Now all the kiddos want to be a ROW reader.”
Morgan Bond
2nd grade teacher, Lewis & Clark Elementary
“WOW! This has been an amazing experience for both the students at Sentinel High School and Russell Elementary. The littles [elementary students] are learning and my students [high schoolers] are getting meaningful teaching experience.”
Megan Stubbs
Family & Consumer Science Teacher, Sentinel High School
“I think ROW is an amazing opportunity for both volunteers and students to build a meaningful relationship while working through books and reading skills together. My favorite aspect of ROW is giving my reader books to add to his personal library and seeing his confidence grow as he reads and enjoys them all on his own.”
Skye Welch
Sentinel High School Student Volunteer
“Volunteering with ROW has been a very rewarding experience for me. I have been able to see the children make positive progress in their reading ability and how proud they are of themselves as they improve. Hopefully, one day they will be our next ROW volunteers.”
Marji Martin
Target Range Volunteer
“Reading Opens Your World has been an amazing experience for students of all ages. This program supports Early Literacy and helps bring people together through the love of books. Through this program students expand their knowledge not only of language but of building relationships that enhance the reading process for a lifetime.”
Courtney Kircos
Workforce and Data Manager, Missoula County Public Schools
“Our daughter participated in the ROW program at Lewis & Clark Elementary this year as a second grader. Since then, she has become far more interested and involved in reading, not only together, but on her own as well. Her reading skills have developed significantly and she looks forward to the weekdays where she gets to meet with her ROW volunteer. Thanks, Lauren, for establishing this much needed program.”
Ben & Mai Powell
Parents of ROW Student
“Working with Lauren and the ROW program has been such an amazing partnership for our students. They are able to build a one-on-one connection with a trusted adult which is a known protective factor for students with trauma. The mentors are also able to foster a lifelong love of literacy as they engage in shared readings and conversations with students."
Melissa Lynn
EK-2 Literacy CoachMissoula County Public Schools
“It's been fun building relationships with my students and so rewarding to see their reading skills develop. Time spent with them as a ROW volunteer is always a bright spot in my week!”
Mara Harrington
Lewis & Clark Elementary Volunteer
“I love every bit about this program! This is the kind of work that moves the dial for students, both big and little! Thank you everyone for your commitment to providing these experiences.”
Anonymous
WORDS FROM STUDENTS
The notes they send at the end of the year.
Freedom through reading
“Once you learn to read you will be forever free.”
Frederick Douglass
Thirty minutes a week
Impact
Students reached727
Books gifted4,882
Reading hours5,162
KPAX Community Spotlight
In the news
Community Spotlight: Sentinel Kiwanis and Reading Opens your World
Read story
Volunteer guide
Questions,
Frequently asked questions
Questions,
answered.
Everything volunteers need to know before their first reading session.
How do I become a volunteer?
Step One:
Fill in our Volunteer Form.
Step Two:
Fill in paperwork to be approved to volunteer in the school you've chosen to volunteer.
Links to forms and information on the schools we serve can be found here.
NOTE: If you are not working directly with students you do not need to fill in the district forms (i.e. helping with NEWSLETTER or social media)
How much time will I need to commit to as a ROW volunteer?
30 minutes a week. We ask that volunteers commit to meeting with their student weekly for roughly 30 minutes throughout the entire school year. Our goal is to create a relationship between the student and volunteer. We realize that time will be taken off for vacations and illnesses.
Can I read with more than one student?
Absolutely! Many volunteers love the experience and they choose to read with two or more students. Each student is read with independently.
Do I need to bring materials to read with the student?
The teacher will provide appropriate reading materials for the student. This may include a passage, word game, whiteboard, flashcards or a book.
Do you have any other volunteer positions available?
YES! Your help would be greatly appreciated with inputting data, greeting new volunteers or compiling our newsletter. If you are interested, please contact us to find out more!
What schools do you serve?
You can read about the schools we currently volunteer with here.
Can I choose the Grade Level of my ROW Reader?
You will be provided list of available students, their teacher's name, grade level and available days and times of the week that student can be read with. You then get to choose what works best with your schedule. The day and time of the week that you choose, then becomes your scheduled weekly time to read with your student.
How do I know where to go once I sign up for a student?
A representative of ROW will meet you at the school before your first ROW session to show you around the school and orient you to the program.