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
Compassion in Action: Meet Our Dedicated Team.
Associate Executive Director
Battle Ground Schools
Director of Operations
Washougal Schools
Vancouver Schools
Camas Schools
Vancouver Schools
Open House Ministries
The Boys and Girls Club
VITA and Vancouver Schools
Advocating for Every Child's Right to Read
Board Member
Read BioBoard Member
Brook, a native of the Pacific Northwest, proudly calls this community her home. As the starting point guard for Prairie High School, she led her team to win the WIAA Women's Basketball State Championships in 1993 and 1994, earning first team all-state honors. Brook attended Corban University on a basketball scholarship, where she led her team to two NCCAA National Championships and graduated with a degree in Business Management. She has a background as Director of Sales for Marriott and is now a mortgage lending professional. Brook and her husband Bruce are active community supporters, involved in numerous nonprofits, and she is a founding member of the Southwest Washington 100 Women Who Care. She is passionate about creating lasting impact and change in Clark County, believing in the betterment of children's lives through values and education. Brook supports Read NW’s model of consistent, individual attention, which she sees as transformative for both children and society.
Your time and generosity are truly appreciated.