We desperately need more teens. We've currently got 21 volunteers matched up with younger kids, but there are at least 15 more children on our waiting list.

Most of our kids are aged between 6 and 12, and just need a bit of encouragement to turn reading into an enjoyable activity. We don't need our teens to be in the Academic stream at high school, or to be intellectual over-achievers. They simply need to know how to read, and enjoy being with a younger kid for an hour a week. The time they put in counts towards the Community Service hours they need in order to graduate, so it's a classic win-win situation for any teen who enjoys reading and who's prepared to help a younger child.

It's not like reading in a school environment. Often these kids find reading a challenge, something that's difficult and onerous, and our teens help make it a much more enjoyable experience for them.

I told the kids, 'If we're not making shots, do things you can control,' which are rebounding, taking care of the ball and playing defense. We hung in there until we got clicking.

By the time they meet their very own Reading Buddy, the teens are very well prepared. The hour the two spend together becomes an activity both partners really look forward to each week.

I'm nothing but proud of our kids. Nobody gave us a chance. I'm sure everyone thought it was going to be a 35-40-point game. There are no moral victories; I just feel good about how we played and the effort we gave. We've made a lot of strides.