Joan Borders has helped nearly 8,000 Brevard County students improve their reading this year.

She's the force behind Rolling Readers, a program that teams up volunteer reading mentors with kids in low-income, Title One schools.

Joan founded the program 11 years ago with two other people.

Rolling Readers offers tutoring, a read aloud program where kids meet with mentors four days a week, and a remedial reading program for third graders who had trouble with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

The key to its success is intensive, comprehensive work.

"It makes a world of difference. They gain at least a year's growth in their reading with the tutoring program," Borders said.

"It's wonderful, and I do the training, I'm the training director. We train about 260 volunteers a year. I've learned a lot and helped a lot, and I enjoy training," Borders said.

Terri Spears, of Rolling Readers said about Joan, "She has the heart and tenacity to make a positive difference in our local community."

"It's really a fun thing and it's very successful. We pick up the kids that fall through the cracks. I love doing it," Borders said.

Joan's Rolling Readers program currently has 514 volunteers, but she's always looking for more help. If you'd like to help, please call (321) 254-9976.