Real Men Read is a mentoring program in which men volunteer at least one hour a month to read to students in third grade.

“Real Men Read is not just a program, it’s a passion,” said Read Men Read volunteer Bill Turney, who reads to Askew Elementary School students once a month. “My objective is to transfer to the children my love of reading.” He said that reading to young children not only keeps him young but allows him to experience the joy of being a child again.  

Watch this video of Turney reading to students at Askew.

“It shows the children that there is a world beyond their little neighborhood,” said Askew teacher Elizabeth Finch. “Read Men Read also impacts their reading level and reading comprehension.”

Real Men Read and Read Houston Read are volunteer programs that support HISD’s Literacy By 3 initiative, which aims to have all students reading on grade level by the third grade.

For information on how to volunteer at HISD, please see the Volunteers in Schools website here.