Ask Robert Chavez what a difference one year can make.

Robert, 32, arrived at ReadWest in Rio Rancho, NM, in June, 1998, a very discouraged man. He had been to other agencies, explaining he had a reading problem. The agencies agreed he did indeed have a reading problem, but offered no help. He got by, usually holding good jobs he said, but he had to have people read to him. He kept searching for an agency to help him, finally connecting with ReadWest.

Robert said his experience at ReadWest was unlike that at any other agency. �What really worked is they believe in you. From the minute I talked to Jane (Hier, volunteer coordinator) and she said, �You�re going to do it� - it was the opposite of what everyone else told me,� he said.

At ReadWest he was matched with a tutor, Gordon Suits, and finally found the help he had been searching for.

Less than one year later, Robert had created a ten-page student study guide and was enrolled at Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI), a community college. He is studying criminology and Web technology.

�I worked extremely hard every day. When I�m determined to get something done I go to the extreme,� he said.

For Robert, reading comprehension was a problem. He could read some words, but couldn�t comprehend or pronounce words. The public schools he attended never recognized the problem and as a result, Robert said he �fell behind and hung out with the wrong crowd. The classes didn�t work for me and I didn�t feel good about myself.�

Robert studied every day and with his tutor�s help he has raised his reading level from fifth to 12th grade. During his studies he identified a number of problem areas for him and created a booklet to help him with his college studies and to help other students with similar problems. He is working on a continuation of the booklet and hopes to eventually write a book.

A lifelong goal of Robert�s is to become a police officer. He knew that New Mexico police officers are required to earn 60 college credit hours, so after improving his reading skills he enrolled at TVI with the goal of earning a degree in criminology. While there he took a few computer courses, found the work came easy to him and now is in a work/study program as a computer technician. After leaving TVI he plans on attending a university.

He has also given thought to working as a probation officer. �I�ve seen students drop out of high school. Without school you can turn down the wrong path,� he said.

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