Morning Reading is a program where volunteers come together once, twice, or even three times a week to three St. Louis Public Schools and read and interact with a group of children before school. At first I was unsure of what to expect from this program. I wasn't sure how reading to children going to make a difference in their lives, but how wrong I was! Morning Reading not only makes a huge difference in the lives of the children we serve but also in the lives in the volunteers as well. The Morning Reading program has a positive effect on the children we serve not only today but far into the future. The progress these children make can been seen each week as so many of them can't wait to go read with their volunteer. These children are connecting with the volunteers and want to sit and listen to a story. This program also has lasting effects on these children because improving their reading skills now allows children to be more successful later in life.

Morning Reading also has an effect on the volunteers who come and serve. With smiles on their faces, volunteers are willing to wake up extra early to come serve and read with these children at 7:30am before school. They are there for the children no matter what; they are there encouraging the children and teaching them skills that will affect them for the rest of their lives.

I have seen this through my own experience with Morning Reading. I am one of those volunteers who wake up extra early to read with the children at Adams Elementary School. I have built a strong relationship with the two girls in my group and spending time with them brings me so much joy. I feel like I really am making a difference in their lives.