To provide reading mentors to elevate early childhood literacy, creating a bright future for our community.
Every child in SW Washington is reading at grade level.
Elevate. Encourage. Inspire. Impact.
We strive to elevate early childhood literacy, encourage community involvement, and inspire children with self confidence so that we can positively impact a child’s life and the welfare of our community through literacy.
In early 2018, Jerry Romano and Richard Brosius were inspired by their friend Jeff Martin, an activist and filmmaker dedicated to early childhood literacy. Jeff's discussions about the literacy crisis in America prompted Jerry and Richard to take action in Clark County.
They founded the Plow Boys Foundation, engaging community business leaders in the collaborative initiative "Let’s Work to Give." Guided by Jerry's philosophy of giving back, they raised funds for the impactful movie "SENTENCED," aiming to raise national awareness about illiteracy and its consequences. By 2022, Read Northwest mobilized volunteer Reading Mentors to support Clark County schools in ensuring every child reads at their grade level.
We recruit volunteers in our community and train them to become Reading Mentors to youth (K-3rd grade) in Clark County. Volunteers meet weekly and consistently to provide 1:1 reading mentorship to youth who are not reading at grade level.
We partner with dedicated individuals, community and civic organizations, faith-based communities, and local businesses to provide weekly reading mentorship in dozens of Clark County schools and afterschool programs. We serve hundreds of students every week.
"A child must first learn to read so they can read to learn. A child needs to know they are loved and that they belong. A child needs to understand the power of believing in themselves. A child needs hope."
- Richard Brosius
Co-founder
Watch Our 3-Minute Video
Compassion in Action: Meet Our Dedicated Team.
Director of Operations
Vancouver Schools
Open House Ministries
The Boys and Girls Club
VITA and Vancouver Schools
Vancouver Schools
Camas and Evergreen Schools
Washougal Schools
Advocating for Every Child's Right to Read
Executive Director
Read BioExecutive Director
A proud Pacific Northwest native, Brook Trang brings a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and community impact. A former championship-winning point guard at Prairie High School and Corban University, Brook earned a degree in Business Management and later served as Director of Sales for Marriott. She currently works as a mortgage lending professional and is deeply involved in local nonprofits, including as a founding member of Southwest Washington 100 Women Who Care.
After two years on the board of Read Northwest, Brook now steps into the role of Executive Director. She, along with her husband Bruce and their sons, Colin and Tegen, are passionate about improving childhood literacy and believes in the power of education to transform lives across Clark County.
Treasurer & Secretary
Read BioTreasurer and Secretary
Dave, a long-time Clark County resident since the mid-1970s, serves as Executive Director and Treasurer of Read Northwest, Treasurer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of SW Washington, and Treasurer of the Hockinson Public Schools Foundation. Before retiring in 2020, Dave was President and part-owner of Exterior Wood, Inc. in Washougal for 20 years. He previously worked at Macadam Capital Partners and held various roles in his 21-year banking career at Wells Fargo, ending as Senior Vice President overseeing commercial lending in the Portland-Southwest Washington area. Dave holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from Portland State University and a Master’s in Management from the University of Oregon. He and his wife Jean have three grown children and five grandchildren.
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Your time and generosity are truly appreciated.
