Missoula, Montana

Reading Opens
Your World

We connect dedicated volunteers with students, building confidence and a love for reading — one book at a time. Every child deserves the magic of stories.

350+ students reached and counting!

See ROW in Action

How ROW Works

Three simple steps to change a life

Our programs in action...

What We Do

Volunteer reading one-on-one with a student
Student receiving a new book to keep
ROW program at a Missoula elementary school
Community impact from the ROW reading program

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Fresh stories from our readers!

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By The Numbers

Measuring Our Impact

Every number tells a story...

0
out of 500 goal
Students Reached
Strong
0
out of 5,000 goal
Books Gifted
Moderate
0
out of 7,000 goal
Reading Hours
Strong

Our Impact

Every child deserves to read

Here's what we're doing about it...

Child reading a book
1 in 3

children can't read at grade level

In Montana, thousands of elementary students struggle with basic reading skills. Without intervention, the gap only widens.

Volunteer reading with a student
30 min

a week changes everything

A dedicated volunteer meets with a student weekly for one-on-one reading sessions. Every other week, the student receives a book to build their home library.

Happy students with books
350+

students impacted since 2022

Across 4 Missoula schools, ROW volunteers have helped hundreds of children discover the joy of reading.

Become a Volunteer

What They Say

Voices of ROW

Real stories from our community...

Our People

The Women Behind ROW

Leading with heart, one reader at a time

Lauren Watling
Lauren
Watling
Founder & Executive Director
Meet Lauren
Lisa Hayhurst
Lisa
Hayhurst
Board President
Meet Lisa
Alanna Van Eps
Alanna
Van Eps
Board Member
Meet Alanna
Drea Burbank
Drea
Burbank
Board Member
Meet Drea
Wendy Melvin
Wendy
Melvin
Board Member
Meet Wendy

Our Program

Readers in Action

Volunteers reading with students

Reading together

Reading session at school

Story time!

Student and volunteer bonding

New friends

Book gifting moment

Book buddies

Volunteer and student reading together

Learning is fun

Students enjoying books

Page turners

Reading session in progress

Growing readers

ROW program in action

Adventure awaits

442
Students Reached
2,910
Books Gifted
3,059
Reading Hours

Join Us

Our goal is to build a child's confidence, grow their desire to read and expand their reading skills. And it's FUN!

Donate Volunteer

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