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!
Story time!
New books!
Reading buddies
See ROW in Action
How ROW Works
Three steps to change a child's world...
Sign Up
Fill out our simple volunteer form and complete a quick background check with your school.
Takes just 5 minutes!
Get Matched
We pair you with a student based on your schedule and school preference. Complete our quick training.
Your perfect reading buddy awaits!
Read Together
Meet your student 30 minutes a week. Read, laugh, learn, and gift books every other week.
Watch confidence bloom!
What drives us every day...
Our Mission
To foster literacy and improve reading skills through positive reading experiences.
Learn MoreOur Vision
We're building a future where every child in Montana can read at a grade-appropriate level or beyond.
Learn MoreCore Values
Our volunteers are trained to adhere to our core values, including caring and connection.
Learn 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.
Our Story
Voices of ROW
Real stories from our community...
Brian Goettlich
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.
Morgan Bond
The students LOVE when their mentors arrive — their faces light up! Now all the kiddos want to be a ROW reader.
Megan Stubbs
WOW! This has been an amazing experience for both the students at Sentinel High School and Russell Elementary. The littles are learning and my students are getting meaningful teaching experience.
Skye Welch
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.
Marji Martin
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.
Courtney Kircos
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.
Ben & Mai Powell
Our daughter has become far more interested and involved in reading, not only together, but on her own as well. Her reading skills have developed significantly.
Melissa Lynn
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 foster a lifelong love of literacy.
Mara Harrington
It's been fun building relationships with my students and so rewarding to see their reading skills develop. Time spent with them is always a bright spot in my week!
Anonymous
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.
Readers in Action
Reading together
Story time!
New friends
Book buddies
Learning is fun
Page turners
Growing readers
Adventure awaits